Act I Study Questions

  Macbeth Study Questions
ACT I

Scene I:

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?

It shows that it is going to a dark, mysterious play.

They symbolize darkness, chaos, and conflict. You can tell because they seem right at home on the battlefield.

Yes.

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

What seems fair might actually be foul, and what seems foul might actually be fair.

I think it sort of sets up the theme “Appearance Versus Reality.”

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

It goes hand-in-hand with the "fair is foul” part. In every battle, there is a loser and a winner.

Winning and losing will become a major theme in the play.

It is a moral battle between what is right and what is wrong.

4) Graymalkin and Paddock are familiars (a cat and a toad).  What does this suggest about the action of the play?  What might they symbolize?

This suggests that the three women are witches. They are spirit animals created by Satan. The might symbolize evil, and that this might suggest the action of the play.

Scene II:

1) What does the bloody man report?

He says that it was a difficult battle and Macbeth killed Macdonwald

2) Why is Macdonwald a worthy rebel?

Because he had foot soldiers and horsemen and was very lucky

3) What similes or metaphors does the captain (the bloody man) use to describe Macbeth and Banquo?  What is significant about these descriptions?

Macbeth and Banquo are describes “as sparrows, eagles, or the hare, the lion” “As cannons over charg’d with double cracks” “They meant to bathe in reeking wounds” The bird motif appears multiple times throughout the play.

4)  “Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, or memorize another Golgotha.”  What is the allusion?  What is significant about the statement?   What does it suggest?  Please keep in mind the religious/superstitious images/symbols already presented.

This is an allusion to Golgatha, which is where Jesus was crucified. They were going to make this battle more famous than that. It suggests that this will be a very important part of Scottish history and a large part of the storyline.

5) Who was Scotland fighting?

Norway with a smidge bit of Ireland

Scene III

1) Why do the witches talk in poetry?

Because it’s like they’re casting a spell

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

They predict that he will be the king. The dramatic irony of this is that they predicted Banquo's children to be kind

3) What do they witches predict for Banquo?  What irony is involved in this promise?

The second witch says that he will be “Not so happy, yet much happier” than Macbeth. This is ironic because Macbeth feels that the more powerful he is, the happier he will be, when, in fact, Banquo will be less powerful but happier.

4) What is your first impression of Macbeth in scenes ii-iii?  What is your first impression of Banquo?

I don’t really like Macbeth, but maybe that’s because I know he kills someone just because he wants to be king.

Banquo is okay. I like him more than Macbeth because he seems nicer and more down to earth. Also, he has a pretty cool name.

5) How do Macbeth and Banquo differ in their reactions to the witches predictions?  What does this tell us about their characters?

Macbeth is a bit confused, but hopeful whereas Banquo doesn’t believe it to be true and is skeptical. It shows us that Macbeth is more of a dreamer whereas Banquo is more realistic.

6) What message does Ross bring?

The news that Macbeth has been appointed Thane of Cawdor

7) “But ‘tis strange!  And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray us in deepest consequence.”  Who speaks the above quote?  What is the significance or meaning of the quote?


Banquo is telling Macbeth that the agents of evil often tell us part of the truth to lead us to our own destruction. They earn our trust by telling us the truth about little things, but then they betray us when it will damage us the most.


Scene IV

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

“I have spoke with one that saw him die, who did report that very frankly he confessed his treasons, implored your highness' pardon, and set forth a deep repentance. Nothing in his life became him like the leaving it. He died as one that had been studied in his death to throw away the dearest thing he owed as ’twere a careless trifle.”

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

There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust.

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

Malcom. Macbeth responds by saying to the King he would only be happy when working for him, but knows that he will either have to give up or get rid of Malcom

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. He is afraid that he won’t stop until he becomes king, no matter how bad of a person he will become.

ACT 1 

1. What is the point of the first scene (literally) and in reference to the whole play? 

  

It is foreshadowing and shows how dark the play is going to be. Also, it makes for a pretty spooky character introduction.

2. What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald? 

  

O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!

  

3. Who is sentenced to death? 

  

The original thane of Cawdor 

4. What do the witches predict in Act I, Scene 3 for Macbeth?  For Banquo? 

Macbeth they tell him that is currently the Thane of Cawdor and will become King in the near future.

Banquo: they are more vague, but they tell him He will be “lesser than Macbeth but also greater. Not as happy as Macbeth yet much happier. Your descendants will be kings, even though you will not be one.” Which foreshadows Macbeth’s future downfall

  

5. Who news does Ross bring Macbeth? 

  

That he is now the Thane of Cawdor (yippee)

6. Banquo, like Macbeth, is surprised that the witches have predicted Macbeth’s new title.  He is, however, leery.  What does he say about the motives of the “instruments of darkness” ? 

  

7. Malcolm describes Cawdor’s last moments before execution.  What is Duncan ’s reply? 

“There’s no way to read a man’s mind by looking at his face. I trusted Cawdor completely.”

  

8. Macbeth says, “Stars, hide your fires.  Let not light see my black and deep desires.”  What are Macbeth’s desires? 

  

To become king, no matter what it takes. (bad call, dude.)

  

9. 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 he may not have the ability to become king. She plans to talk him into taking the king down and taking the throne for himself.

  

10. What is Lady Macbeth’s “prayer” to the spirits after she learns Duncan is missing? 

  

She’s asking to become more like a man so she can not feel guilty for helping cause someone’s death.

11. What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home? 

  

“Smile and wave, Macbeth. Smile and wave.”

12. What are Macbeth’s arguments to himself against killing Duncan ? 

  

He wants to just pause for a while and be The Thane of Cawdor because that’s a huge honor, and that killing someone after they reward you is not the right thing.

13. What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder? 

  

That Macbeth would be a total sissy if he didn’t go along with the plan.

14. What is Lady Macbeth’s plan? 

1) Get the king’s servants absolutely wasted

2) Kill the king

4) Put blood all over the servants