Drama

Macbeth
Review
Act 1—Act 2
YEAR 8
Macbeth Study Questions
ACT I

Scene 1:

1) The play opens with thunder and lightning as the three witches enter.
What does this tell us about the mood of the play? What do the witches
symbolize beyond just superstition? Do you really believe that they are
witches?

This tells us that the mood of the play is going to be dark and eerie. The
witches symbolize the shady side of Macbeth and the other characters in the
play. I don't think they are real witches, but rather are so dark that
Shakespeare showed them as witches for the audience to grasp that they are
truly evil.

2) What do the witches mean when they say, “Fair is foul, and foul is
fair”/ good is evil and evil is good? What does this tell you about what
is likely to go on during the play?

The witches are saying that everything that is honest and good in this play will
be treated as if it is nasty, and the honest people will not win in this, and vice
versa. This tells you that there is going to be a lot of unfair actions and deals
in this, and perhaps good people will get hurt.

3) How can a battle be “Lost and won”? What foreshadow might this
set-up? What is the real battle in this play?

They could have won the battle, but it could lead to something really terrible.
This may Foreshadow that something is going to happen to Macbeth. Perhaps
he gets an ingrown toe nail, or becomes super greedy. The real battle in this
play is between good vs. evil.
Scene ii

1) What does the bloody man report?

The bloody man reported that at first the revolt was at a standstill, but then
Macbeth killed Macdonwald, the leader of the revolt. However, when
Macdonwald’s men were retreating, the Norwegian king attacked with fresh
troops. Even with Fresh troop the king was no match for Macbeth and
Banquo, they defeated them easily.

2) Why is Macdonwald a worthy rebel?

He is fit to be a traitor because of the evilness within him.

3) Who was Scotland fighting?

Norway

Scene iii

1) What do the witches predict for Macbeth? What is the dramatic irony
involved?

The witches predict that he will become Thane of Cawdor and king. The
audience already knows that Macbeth has been named the Thane of Cawdor,
but Macbeth does not.

2) What do they witches predict for Banquo? What irony is involved in

this promise?

The witches predict that Banquo will be less than Macbeth but greater. Not so
happy but much happier. Banquo’s children are going to be kings. This is
a situational irony because both Banquo's children and Macbeth have been
promised to become king.
3) What is your first impression of Macbeth in scenes ii-iii? What is your
first impression of Banquo?

They both seem very brave and great fighters; however Macbeth seems to be
greedy.

4) How do Macbeth and Banquo differ in their reactions to the witches

predictions? What does this tell us about their characters?

Macbeth accepts it to be true, but Banquo does not fully believe it, he thinks it
must be a trick of some sort. This shows that Banquo is wise, careful and
watchful, and Macbeth is greedy, and trusting.

5) What message does Ross bring?

Ross brings Macbeth the news of his new title, and he brings Macbeth back to
King Duncan.

6) “But it is strange how, when evil creatures want to hurt us, they often
tell us the truth about unimportant things. They want us to trust them.
Then it will be easy for them to harm us later!” Who speaks the above
quote? What is the significance or meaning of the quote?

Banquo says this quote. He is questioning the witches saying that they usually
don’t have the best intentions in mind. Banquo is wise. He understood the evil
nature of the witches and how they manipulate with our minds, so it will lead
to our destruction our downfall. It was advice to Maceth.
Scene iv

1) What is Malcolm’s description of Cawdor’s execution?

He had heard from someone that saw his death, The person said that Cawdor
openly confessed his treasons, begged for forgiveness, and repented deeply.
He didn’t do anything better than dying.

2) What is the King’s response to this description?

He had trusted Cawdor completely, and there is no way to tell is someone is

lying to you.

3) Who does the King name as his successor? How does Macbeth react
to this information?

The King names his eldest son, Malcolm, as his successor. Macbeth is not
happy with this because he thought he was going to be king.

4) “Stars hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires.
The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, which the eye fears, when it is
done, to see.” Who speaks this quote and what is the significance of it?

Macbeth speaks this in his aside. It is one of the first signs that he is starting
to think dark thoughts, and is worried about it.

Scene v
1) After Lady Macbeth reads the letter, what does she tell us is her
opinion of Macbeth, and how does she plan to help him?

She thinks that Macbeth is weak and a coward, he couldn’t harm anyone bec.
Of his kind nature and decent personality and won’t be able to follow through
with getting what he wants. Which is why she plans on helping him kill
Duncan.

2) What is Lady Macbeth’s “prayer” to the spirits after she learns

Duncan is missing?

She wishes not to have any emotions for killing Duncan, and wishes to be
manly like in order for her to be brave enough to carry out her plans.

3) What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives

home?

Act calmly, and welcomingly, she will do the hard work, but if others suspect
what they are up to, then they will be found out.

Scene vii

1) What are Macbeth’s arguments to himself against killing Duncan ?

His arguments are that he and Duncan are related, he is Duncan’s subject, he
is his guest, he protect him not carry a knife against him and that Duncan is a
good and virtuous ruler.
2) What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to
commit the murder?

She said that the witches said he would be king so, it was meant to be, and if
he didn’t do it, then he would be seen as a coward.

3) What is Lady Macbeth’s plan?

Lady Macbeth’s plan is to kill King Duncan in his sleep after making the
guards drunk. Then , they will stain the guards with Duncan blood and put the
dagger beside them, so they will blame the drunken guards so that Macbeth
and her can be King and Queen.

Act II Questions and Answers

Study Questions

1. What are Banquo’s concerns about the Witches prophecy? What

is Macbeth’s response?

2. What does Macbeth see when Banquo and Fleance leave and what
does he say about it?

3. What was Lady Macbeth unable to do in Duncan’s chamber? Why?

4. What was Macbeth’s reaction when he returned from Duncan’s

chamber? What did he say?

5. Who was sleeping in the second chamber? Why did Shakespeare

include that information in the play?

6. Macbeth is unable to return to Duncan’s chamber with the bloody

daggers. Why do you think he fears going back?

7. What does Lennox say to Macbeth about the previous night?

8. Who discovers that Duncan has been murdered?

9. Why does Macbeth say he has murdered the guards?

10. Why do Donalbain and Malcolm leave? Where do they say they are
going?

Answers
1. He has had bad dreams about the Witches and part of what they said has
come true. Macbeth says he has not thought about them. Banquo would like to
discuss the matter with Macbeth.

2. He sees a bloody dagger floating before him. He says that it is only out of his
imagination because of his troubled mind.

3. She was unable to kill Duncan because he looked like her father.

4. He was upset and feeling guilt. He said that “it was an awful sight.” He also
stated that he had murdered sleep and he could not sleep any more because he
killed an innocent man he couldn’t even say amen when he needed to.

5. Donalbain was sleeping. This puts suspicion on him.

6. He cannot face the murder that he has committed. He feels too much guilt.

7. Lennox said that there was a bad storm and he has never seen one this fierce
in his life.

8. Macduff discovers Duncan’s slain body.

9. Macbeth says he murdered the guards because he felt that he should avenge
those who killed Duncan. He was so angry and grief stricken and he could not
control his rage.

10. Donalbain and Malcolm. They felt that this place was dangerous and the
murdered was still loose. They didn’t know who was he and because they fear
for their own lives. Donalbain goes to Ireland and Malcolm goes to England.