ENG2D Macbeth Acts 1 – 3 Test Review

CharacterMacbeth Scottish general ambitious enough to commit regicide to

become king A nobleman who murders Duncan, the King in order to seize

his throne. Once he becomes king, he quickly becomes a tyrant and is killed. The play charts the progression of evil as it overtakes his character.

Macbeth is a Scottish general and the thane of Glamis who is led to wicked thoughts by the prophecies of the three witches, especially after their prophecy that he will be made thane of Cawdor comes true. Macbeth is a brave soldier and a powerful man, but he is not a virtuous one. He is easily tempted into murder to fulfill his ambitions to the throne, and once he commits his first crime and is crowned King of Scotland, he embarks on further atrocities with increasing ease.

Lady Macbeth Macbeth’s wife; ambitious; later remorseful At the beginning of the play she is the ambitious, cold-

hearted one, urging Macbeth to follow his ambitions through murder. Eventually, though, she succumbs to feelings of guilt and regret.

Macbeth’s wife, a deeply ambitious woman who lusts for power and position. Early in the play she seems to be the stronger and more ruthless of the two, as she urges her husband to kill Duncan and seize the crown.

The Witches Predict Macbeth’s ambitions will soon come true; later predict his downfall

These supernatural figures offer deceptive predictions that serve to ignite Macbeth’s evil intentions.

Three “black and midnight hags” who plot mischief against Macbeth using charms, spells, and prophecies. Their predictions prompt him to murder Duncan, to order the deaths of Banquo and his son, and to blindly believe in his own immortality. The play leaves the witches’ true identity unclear—aside from the fact that they are servants of Hecate, we know little about their place in the cosmos. In some ways they resemble the mythological Fates, who impersonally weave the threads of human destiny. They clearly take a perverse delight in using their knowledge of the future to toy with and destroy human beings.

Banquo General, murdered by hired killers Another nobleman, Banquo also receives a favorable

prediction from the witches, but he refuses to take action to see that destiny fulfilled.

The brave, noble general whose children, according to the witches’ prophecy, will inherit the Scottish throne. Like Macbeth, Banquo thinks ambitious thoughts, but he does not

translate those thoughts into action. In a sense, Banquo’s character stands as a rebuke to Macbeth, since he represents the path Macbeth chose not to take: a path in which ambition need not lead to betrayal and murder. Appropriately, then, it is Banquo’s ghost—and not Duncan’s—that haunts Macbeth. In addition to embodying Macbeth’s guilt for killing Banquo, the ghost also reminds Macbeth that he did not emulate Banquo’s reaction to the witches’ prophecy.

Duncan King of Scotland Trusting and naïve, Duncan never suspects that Macbeth and

his wife are plotting his death. He misreads both of them, just as he had misinterpreted the treacherous Thane of Cawdor.

Father to Macolm and Donalbain The good King of Scotland whom Macbeth, in his ambition

for the crown, murders. Duncan is the model of a virtuous, benevolent, and farsighted ruler. His death symbolizes the destruction of an order in Scotland that can be restored only when Duncan’s line, in the person of Malcolm, once more occupies the throne.

Malcolm Duncan’s eldest son and heir, Malcolm is everything a king should be: virtuous, pious, chaste, modest, and loyal.

Prince of Cumberland Flees to England The son of Duncan, whose restoration to the throne signals

Scotland’s return to order following Macbeth’s reign of terror. Malcolm becomes a serious challenge to Macbeth with Macduff’s aid (and the support of England). Prior to this, he appears weak and uncertain of his own power, as when he and Donalbain flee Scotland after their father’s murder.

Donalbain Duncan’s other son Flees to Ireland

Fleance Banquo’s young son who flees when Banquo is murdered. Because he lives, Macbeth fears that Banquo’s line will fulfill the witches’ prediction by becoming kings.

Banquo’s son, who survives Macbeth’s attempt to murder him. At the end of the play, Fleance’s whereabouts are unknown. Presumably, he may come to rule Scotland, fulfilling the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s sons will sit on the Scottish throne.

Macduff General, dedicated to the good of Scotland An honorable lord, Macduff opposes Macbeth and supports

Malcolm as the new king, but only after determining that the price is worthy.

A Scottish nobleman hostile to Macbeth’s kingship from the start. He eventually becomes a leader of the crusade to unseat Macbeth. The crusade’s mission is to place the rightful king, Malcolm, on the throne.

Ross Cousin to Macduff Nobleman

Lennox Nobleman, loyal to Duncan

ThemesAmbition - Macbeth was seen as the nation’s greatest warrior

and Thane of Cawdor – but that was not enough. Once Macbeth has a taste of power, he is willing to kill anyone who he thinks might undermine his seat on Scotland’s throne

- Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who is not naturally inclined to commit evil deeds, yet he deeply desires power and advancement

- He kills King Duncan against his better judgment and afterward stews in guilt and paranoia

- Lady Macbeth pursues her goals with great determination, but struggles with the repercussions of her immoral acts

- Once they begin their quest for power, it is hard for them to stop

- There are always potential threats to the throne – Banquo, Fleance, Macduff – and it is always tempting to use violent means to dispose of them

- Examples:o When Macbeth hears of his prophecy from

the witches and ponders whether or not he will achieve the crown naturally or with violence

o Lady Macbeth receives Macbeth’s letter and analyzes his character, and invokes the forces of evil

o Lady Macbeth taunts Macbeth to kill Duncano Macbeth determines to kill Banquo and

Fleance in order to prevent his children succeeding to Scotland’s throne

Judging by Appearances - King Duncan judged by appearances as he placed trust in the previous Thane of Cawdor and in Macbeth

- Malcolm discusses this before he leaves by saying he cannot trust people based on how they are acting – any of the sad faces could be his father’s murderer

Guilt - Guilt that is taking over Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s mental state

- They hallucinate things (daggers, blood, ghosts) and hear sounds

Manhood / Masculinity - Lady Macbeth challenges Macbeth’s manhood when he decides not to kill Duncan

- Lady Macbeth associates the ability to kill / evil

with masculinity- Macbeth associates Lady Macbeth’s evil plan and

boldness with manhood as he prays she has male babies

- Macbeth questions the manhood of the murderers before he sends them off to kill Banquo and Fleance

Nature - Macbeth’s grotesque murder spree is accompanied by a number of unnatural occurrences in the natural realm

- From the thunder and lightning that accompany the witches’ appearances to the terrible storms that rage on the night of Duncan’s murder

- The natural disorder reflects corruption in the moral and political orders of the state

- In medieval times, it was believe that the health of a country is directly correlated to the goodness and moral legitimacy of its king – if the king was good and just, then the nation would have good harvests and good weather

- When Macbeth disrupts the social and political order by murdering Duncan and usurping the throne, nature goes haywire

- Exampleso The storm on the field when the witches are

presento Lennox and the Old Man talk of the

terrifying alteration in the natural order of the universe (Duncan’s horses eating each other)

Supernatural - The witches (also known as weird sisters)- The floating dagger- The ghost- Is Macbeth seeing these things because someone

outside his control is controlling him? Or is he simply seeing the fevered imaginings of a guilty and freely choosing mind (going crazy)?

MotifsBlood - Blood in the opening scene in the battle between

the Scots and the Norwegian invaders, which is described in harrowing terms by the wounded captain in Act 1, Scene 2

- Blood as a symbol for guilt- Crimes have stained them in a way that cannot be

washed clean- “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood /

Clean from my hand?” Macbeth cries after he has killed Duncan, even as his wife scolds him and

says that a little water will do the job (Act 2, Scene 2)

- The blood reminds the audience of how serious the consequences of the characters’ actions are

Water - Cleansing, rebirth, innocence, puritySleep - Sleep is a natural process and its disruption is

causes by the fracture of the moral order- Sleep is associated with peace, renewal, rest,

refreshing, innocence, purity, peace of mind- Macbeth is no longer able to sleep after he kills

Duncan because he is full of guilt- Continually compares himself to Duncan who he

says sleeps peacefully- Macbeth hears a voice saying “Macbeth does

murder sleep” after killing Duncan

SymbolsDagger & Banquo’s Ghost

- A number of times when Macbeth sees or hears strange things: the floating dagger, the voice saying he’s murdering sleep, and Banquo’s ghost

- Macbeth wonders about the dagger – are these sights and sounds of supernatural visions or figments of his guilty imagination?

- Macbeth is a man at ware with himself, his innate honor battling his ambition

- When natural order is ruptured by Macbeth’s actions, his own mind does the same when it is forced to fight against itself

- He sees the dagger before killing Duncan – the handle pointing towards his hand and the blade towards Duncan’s room

- The ghost after learning about Banquo’s death and

that Fleance has fleed. Macbeth is the only one who sees the ghost in the crowded room

Literary DevicesDramatic Irony Created in a specific scene on stage, when the audience knows

something one (or more) of the characters does not know as the scene plays out. Students should identify moments of dramatic irony and explain how these moments heighten tension.

Soliloquy A speech in which a character, alone on the stage, expresses his thoughts aloud

The soliloquy is the act of talking to oneself, silently or aloud. In drama, it denotes the convention by which a character, by himself or herself on stage, utters his thoughts out loud so that the audience may “overhear.” Elizabethan dramatists in particular used this devise as a convenient way to convey to the audience information about a principal character’s thoughts, motives, and state of mind, as well as for purposes of general exposition (necessary background and antecedent action).

In a soliloquy, the speaker believes himself or herself to be alone. The soliloquist thus reveals his or her inner thought and feelings to the audience, either in supposed self-communion or in a consciously direct address.

Aside Brief comment made by a character that is unheard by the other characters on stage. Whether the aside is addressed to the audience or merely expresses as unspoken thought, it is a true statement of the speaker’s thoughts and feelings. Students should be able to identify examples of asides and explain how they reveal an important truth or motive about the speaker.

Dramatic Monologue

A speech in which a character speaks his thoughts out loud for another character(s).

Allusions Shakespeare used both mythological and biblical allusions. For example, in Act 1, Scene 2 the sergeant compares a bloody scene of death on the battlefield to Golgotha, which is the place of Christ’s death in the New Testament. One of the mythological allusions is Macduff’s comparing the dead Duncan to a Gorgon of Greek mythology which could turn a person to stone because of the terror evoked (II.iii).

Tragic Hero The tragic hero is a man of noble stature.o “high position” usually means a king, duke, prince,

company owner, etc. He is not an ordinary man, but a man with outstanding

quality and greatness about him. He is good—but not “too good”—so the audience can

identify with him. His own destruction is for a greater cause or principle—i.e.

it proves a point.

It should be noted that the hero's downfall is his own fault as a result of his own free choice, but his misfortune is not wholly deserved.

Usually his death is seen as a waste of human potential. The “flaw” in the character is a defect, which keeps him/her

from being aware of the situation around him/her. The character does not understand (for much of the story) his/her part of creating the situation.

Examples: greed, obsessions with one thing, mistrust, uncertainty, lack of patience, easily influenced, hesitation, selfishness, ambition

AnswersAct 1, Scene 1

1. What mood is conveyed with the first scene? Name three details that help set the play’s tone.The mood is dark and mysterious, ominous. Shakespeare uses several details to make this clear. The weather is stormy and violent, and the characters in this scene are witches. They refer to “fog and filthy air” and are accompanied by a cat, Grey Malkin, and a toad, Paddock—two mysterious and foreboding creatures associated with witchcraft.

2. What do the witches plan to do, and when?The witches plan to meet with Macbeth at the end of the day.

3. The line “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” is one of the most memorable of the play. It is also an example of a paradox, which is the connection of ideas that are seemingly contradictory to one another, but that hold a greater meaning when placed together. What greater meaning might this line suggest?The line suggests that ideas of wrong and right will be turned upside down. Macbeth will be a play about morality and what happens when clear lines of ethics are crossed. The line also suggests that appearances will be deceiving; the witches plan to trick Macbeth into believing what appears to be true but is not.

Act 1, Scene 2

1. Who is the “bloody man” questioned? What does he reveal to King Duncan and his entourage about Macdonwald?The bloody man is a loyal captain who has just come from the battlefield. He tells the king’s group that though the fighting was fierce and Macdonwald was vicious, Macbeth fought well, killed Macdonwald, and cut off his head.

2. What has the Thane of Cawdor done, and what will happen to him?The Thane of Cawdor is a former nobleman who rebelled against the king. He will be executed for his offenses.

3. What does Duncan mean when he says of the Thane of Cawdor, “What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won”?The king plans to promote Macbeth, to make him the new Thane of Cawdor.

4. What view of Macbeth is presented in this scene? What characteristics are ascribed to him? Macbeth is a valiant warrior who does not shrink from great danger or violence. Based on the battlefield reports, Macbeth seems exceptionally brave and loyal to King Duncan.

5. How does this scene serve as explanation? The scene introduces several main characters, including Duncan, Malcolm, and Macbeth, although Macbeth does not physically appear in the scene. The scene informs the audience about the state of affairs in Scotland and introduces the themes of treachery, treason, and loyalty.

Act 1, Scene 3

1. What have the witches been doing since they last appeared? One of the witches has been killing swine, or pigs, while another has been exacting revenge on a woman who would not give the witch her chestnuts.

2. What in the witches’ conversation suggests they are not all powerful?In their pursuit of vengeance against the woman who would not relinquish her chestnuts, they conspire to harm her husband, a sailor. While they can disrupt his journey by throwing his vessel off course, they cannot kill him: “Though his barf cannot be lost, / Yet it shall be tempest-toss’d.”

3. What sort of day is it, according to Macbeth, and what does he mean? Which of the play’s themes does his remark emphasize?Macbeth says, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” He means that though the weather is terrible, they have been successful in battle so it is also a glorious day. His line also emphasizes that the world of Macbeth is chaotic.

4. Describe what the witches look like, according to Banquo.The witches look old and “wild.” They have beards, skinny lips, and chapped fingers. Banquo questions whether they are even living beings.

5. What do the witches tell Macbeth will happen to him?They tell him he will be the Thane of Glamis, the Thane of Cawdor, and the king.

6. The witches inform Banquo that while he will not be king, he will father kings. They also say he is “lesser than Macbeth, and greater,” and “not so happy, yet much happier.” What might these lines mean? What literary device do they exemplify?These lines are an example of a paradox; the ideas are seemingly contradictory, yet when put together they have a greater value and deeper meaning. They suggest that Banquo will find his happiness and greatness through means that are different from Macbeth’s, and that Banquo’s happiness and greatness will somehow be more durable, truer. Macbeth will be crowned a king in the immediate future, but Banquo, as the father of future kings, will leave a legacy that will endure.

7. Describe Macbeth’s ruminations about the witches’ prophecies. What conclusion does he ultimately reach? Macbeth considers the implications of the witches’ claims. Two of their prophecies have been accurate – that he would become Thane of Glamis and Thane of Cawdor. However, the only way he could become king would be through Duncan’s death, and the thought of killing the king is abhorrent to Macbeth. Finally he concludes that “if chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me / Without my stir.” He will accept his fate or destiny, but he will not himself try to make it happen.

8. The audience knows about Macbeth’s elevation to Thane of Cawdor before Macbeth knows. Why is this significant? What effect does it have on the beginning of Scene Three? The fact that the audience already knows that Duncan has made Macbeth Thane of Cawdor creates an unexpected suspense. Rather than wondering whether or not the witches speak truth, the empha-sis is placed on how Macbeth will react to the news. In this way Shakespeare emphasizes the witches’ power and raises questions of destiny versus free will.

9. Macbeth reveals his thinking in an aside:

This supernatural soliciting Cannot be ill, cannot be good: if ill, Why hath it given me earnest of successCommencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor. If good, why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs Against the use of nature? …

Explain how this aside is an example of a paradox, and how it contributes

to the play’s rising action. Macbeth is trying to make sense of the truths in the witches’ prophecies. They have given him information which is simultaneously great news—Macbeth will advance—but also horrifying news; for Macbeth to be king, Duncan must die. The passage advances the rising action in the play in that it helps establish the play’s conflict: What Macbeth chooses to do with this information is the basis for the rest of the drama.

Act 1, Scene 4

1. What regrets does Duncan have about the executed Thane of Cawdor?Duncan regrets that he misjudged the Thane of Cawdor by trusting him. He laments, “There’s no art / To find the mind’s construction in the face: / He was a gentleman on whom I built / An absolute trust.” Duncan recognizes that appearances are not a window to a person’s character. The Thane of Cawdor appeared to be loyal, yet he was not.

2. How does Duncan feel about Macbeth?Duncan feels gratitude toward Macbeth; Macbeth has fought valiantly in the king’s honor, which the king respects and appreciates.

3. Duncan designates his son Malcolm as the Prince of Cumberland and announces he will be the next successor to the throne. Why might Duncan choose this moment for his announcement?Duncan may decide to make the announcement because he is honoring Macbeth and Banquo, and it seems logical to honor Malcolm, as well. He also may be mindful of his own mortality, given the recent battle and the treasonous behavior of someone he trusted. Finally, while he is generous in his promotions of Macbeth, he may also want to remind those present of the true order of kings and of his own position as monarch.

4. Macbeth says in an aside, “Stars, hide your fires, / Let not light see my black and deep desires.” What can we infer from the passage?Macbeth reveals his deep ambition to gain the crown. He may feel shame for what he is now considering. Duncan’s naming Malcom the Prince of Cumberland means that Malcolm now stands in the way of Macbeth’s becoming king. He is clearly thinking about Duncan and Malcolm as obstacles to his own ascension to the throne.

Act 1, Scene 5

1. Macbeth misquotes the witches’ prophecy, telling his wife in a letter that they said, “Hail, King that shalt be!” and not “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!” What does this misquote reveal about where Macbeth stands on the subject of the prophecies?

Macbeth misquotes the witches in a way that implies they are already referring to him as king. “Hail, King . . .” is very different than “All hail, Macbeth. . . .” Though initially Macbeth felt that he would not intercede in the course of fate, the way he informs Lady Macbeth of the encounters shows that he is impatient, already hearing himself referred to as king. The misquotation suggests that he is considering acting against Duncan.

2. Contrast Lady Macbeth’s response to the prophecy with her husband’s. While Macbeth is conflicted about the prophecy at first, and mindful that he does not want to betray Duncan, for Lady Macbeth the course of action is much clearer. She believes the witches immediately, sees the prophecy as a great thing, and begins to think practically about how to make it come to pass.

3. What is Lady Macbeth’s view of her husband’s nature?She fears he is too weak to act in his self-interest: “Yet do I fear thy nature, / It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness / To catch the nearest way.” She fears his goodness will prevent him from seizing the opportunity to gain power.

4. How does Lady Macbeth feel about the supernatural?She appears to believe unequivocally in supernatural forces. She never doubts the witches’ prophecy, even though she had not had an opportunity to question her husband about the specifics. She believes that “fate and metaphysical aid” have already deemed Macbeth king.

5. In her famous speech, why does Lady Macbeth ask spirits to “unsex me here”? What does her sex have to do with her plans?Lady Macbeth knows that in order to murder Duncan, she must think and behave callously. She, as well as her society, view kindness and nurturing as feminine traits; she seeks to separate herself from them. Instead, she asks for her blood to be made thick, without “access and passage to remorse”; she asks to be made cold and cruel in order to carry out Duncan’s murder so that Macbeth will become king.

6. Why is Lady Macbeth pleased that the king is spending the night?It will be much easier to kill Duncan if he is under Lady Macbeth’s roof.

7. Describe the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.Lady Macbeth is Macbeth’s partner in crime. He entrusts her with the news of the prophecies, likely knowing full well in what spirit she will receive them. They seem to operate as equals, and they also refer to each other lovingly.

Act 1, Scenes 6 and 7

1. What does Duncan think of Macbeth’s castle?Duncan finds Macbeth’s castle a welcoming, safe retreat.

2. Describe Lady Macbeth’s behavior toward Duncan. What does her behavior reveal about her?Lady Macbeth is obsequious toward Duncan. She acts the part of the perfect hostess, claiming that she feels honored by Duncan’s presence and is forever loyal to him. Lady Macbeth is conscious of social graces and skilled at being a hostess. She is also an excellent actress, showing no discomfort whatsoever at being so kind to Duncan even as she is planning his murder.

3. In his soliloquy, why does Macbeth think of killing Duncan? Macbeth feels that to kill Duncan while he is a guest in Macbeth’s castle, which is supposed to be a place of safety and shelter for Duncan, is a grievous abuse of the king’s trust—even worse than a subject’s killing a king. Duncan is also related to Macbeth, further compounding the egregiousness of the crime. Macbeth also has more practical fears: Because Duncan has been a great king, his loss will be severely mourned; Duncan will become a martyr, and Macbeth will be hated for taking his place.

4. What reason does Macbeth give his wife about why he has changed his mind about killing Duncan?Macbeth reasons that the king has just honored him, and Macbeth is looked upon very well by others. He does not feel a need to change the state of affairs, but instead wants to enjoy his new standing.

5. How does Lady Macbeth manipulate her husband to go through with the plan?Lady Macbeth shames Macbeth and tells him he is a coward if he does not go through with it. “Art though afeard / To be the same in thine own act and valor / As though art in desire?” She denigrates him for being weak and questions his manhood.

6. When Macbeth refuses to proceed with murdering Duncan, Lady Macbeth says she knows how “tender” it is to nurse a baby, but she would have “dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you / Have done to this.” What does this assertion reveal about Lady Macbeth? How does Macbeth react, and what does it reveal about him?For Lady Macbeth to even think in these violent and inhumane terms is shocking, an indication of her determination to manipulate Macbeth into murdering the king. In saying “had I so sworn as you / Have done to this,” she makes Macbeth’s now backing down from taking Duncan’s throne an act of disloyalty to her. Just before this passage, she asked him why he even brought up the possibility of being king in the first place—perhaps accusing him of raising her hopes—if he didn’t intend to follow through. Instead of seeing his wife’s true self as abhorrent, Macbeth seems to admire her

strength. Her proclamation helps convince him to go forward with the murder.

7. How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plan to get away with killing Duncan?They plan to drug Duncan’s attendants; while they are incapacitated, Macbeth can enter Duncan’s chamber and kill him while he sleeps, unprotected. Then they will frame the attendants for the evil deed.

8. Act One ends with Macbeth’s declaration, “False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” What does he mean, and what can be inferred about his feelings toward the impending murder?Macbeth is preparing to put on a cordial face as King Duncan’s host throughout the rest of the evening. He is aware of how important appearances are and doesn’t want to arouse suspicion. The line also suggests that Macbeth understands he is in the wrong. His heart is “false,” yet he is going through with his plan regardless.

9. Describe the balance of power between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Act One’s final scene. Lady Macbeth holds the power in the final scene. She has shown that she knows her husband well, as she had anticipated he would back down from murdering Duncan. She bullies her husband into committing murder, and Macbeth not only acquiesces, he praises his wife for her “undaunted mettle.” Lady Macbeth is also the plan’s mastermind, and Macbeth looks to her for reassurance that nothing will go wrong.

Act 2, Scene 1

1. As Act Two opens, Banquo passes his sword and his cloak to his son Fleance. What does this gesture foreshadow?The witches have prophesied that Banquo’s sons will be kings, while Banquo himself will not be. The passing of the sword and cloak foreshadow the passing of the torch from father to son. Fleance will take over once Banquo is gone.

2. Why can’t Banquo sleep?Though he is tired, Banquo’s mind is troubled by anxious thoughts: “Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature / Gives way to in repose.” He is trying to fight his unsettled mind, but having difficulty.

3. Why might Banquo be troubled by the witches’ visit? Just as Banquo is unable to stop thinking about the prophecy, he might suspect that Macbeth has been thinking of it, as well, and what the implications of that might be. Banquo seems to understand that the witches’ prophecy may have been meant to inspire evil, unnatural acts from himself and from Macbeth.

4. Describe in some detail what Macbeth sees in the air when he is alone, and explain why he might see it. What does it symbolize?Macbeth sees a dagger floating in the air before him, its handle turned toward him. It moves in the direction of Duncan’s room. He tries to clutch it but cannot. As Macbeth watches, horrified, gouts of blood materialize on the blade and the handle. Macbeth attributes the “fatal vision” of the dagger to his troubled, “heat-oppressed” brain, calling it a “dagger of the mind, a false creation.” His seeing it suggests that his conscience is forcing him to face what he is about to do. The dagger is also a symbol of violence and betrayal, as it is an instrument of destruction.

5. By the end of the scene, has Macbeth determined to kill Duncan, or is he still unsure? What action does he take at the end of the scene?Although the dagger is an unsettling image, and Macbeth is all too aware of the horror before him, he has resolved to murder Duncan. At the end of the scene, he hears a bell ring, the signal that Lady Macbeth has drugged Duncan’s chamberlains. The ringing of the bell spurs him to action, and he goes to kill the king: “I go, and it is done. The bell invites me.”

Act 2, Scene 2

1. What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, “That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold”?Lady Macbeth has drugged the drinks of Duncan’s attendants. They are safely out of the way, which makes her feel more assured her plan will work.

2. How is Lady Macbeth different in this scene from the way she’s presented herself before?Whereas in previous scenes Lady Macbeth has seemed cold and calm, she now shows some weakness. She interprets an owl’s cry as a human scream, jumping to the worst case scenario: “Alack, I am afraid they have awaked, / And ’tis not done: th’attempt and not the deed / Confounds us.” She also notes that she would have murdered Duncan except that he reminded her of her father. Though Lady Macbeth has presented herself as a cold murderess, she has fear and might be capable of remorse.

3. Macbeth is distraught that he could not say “Amen.” Why would this upset him?Macbeth is fearful that he can no longer receive God’s blessing: “I had most need of blessing, and ‘Amen’ / Stuck in my throat.”

4. Macbeth thinks he hears a voice saying “sleep no more, / Macbeth does murder sleep. . . .” For what is sleep a metaphor?Sleep represents peace and well being. Sleep is the state bodies and minds enter into for rest, a place of physical and mental restoration. Macbeth refers to it as “sore labour’s bath” and “balm of hurt minds.” Macbeth is suggesting that his murderous act has far

greater implications than just the death of Duncan and that he himself will never again have a feeling of peace or well-being; he will never be able to rest.

5. Describe Macbeth’s mental state in this scene. How is it different from Lady Macbeth’s? Macbeth is distraught, paranoid, and full of remorse. He is nervous and on edge: “Whence is that knocking? / How is’t with me, when every noise appals [sic] me?” He looks at his bloody hands and doubts whether he will ever be washed clean of his act. Lady Macbeth, while more vulnerable in this scene than in others, remains outwardly calm with her husband. She is practical and takes charge when the daggers need to be returned to Duncan’s chamber and planted as evidence that the grooms murdered him. She encourages Macbeth to wash the blood off and says they should then retreat to bed in case the castle is awakened by the discovery of Duncan’s body; she is aware they need to be away from the scene of the crime. Unlike her husband, who is paralyzed with fear, she is still cold and calculating, filled with steely determination.

Act 2, Scene 3

1. To what does the porter compare Macbeth’s castle? Why is the reference significant? He compares it to hell, as he jokes about being a porter of “hell gate.” He also makes a casual reference to Beelzebub, a common name for a devil, and jokes about those who knock on hell’s door. Though the porter is joking, the audience knows that a hellish scene has unfolded in the castle overnight, and his joke is not far from the truth.

2. Characterize the interaction among Macduff, Lennox, and the porter when the porter lets them in. What purpose might this exchange serve?Macduff, Lennox, and the porter joke about alcohol and sexual prowess. Their light banter stands in sharp contrast to the dark scene of the night before, as well as the uproar that the audience knows is about to come; it serves as comic relief.

3. Who finds Duncan’s body, and what is his response?Macduff finds Duncan, and he is horrified and hysterical. He cries “Murder and treason!”

4. What is Banquo’s response to the news of Duncan’s death?Banquo is horrified and asks Macduff to say the news is not true. However, he is also calm and takes charge, instructing others to care for Lady Macbeth and announcing that they must all meet to discuss what has happened.

5. What are Donalbain and Malcolm’s reactions to their father’s murder, and what do they decide to do?

They are immediately suspicious that their father’s killer is in their midst. Donalbain says, “What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us?” Donalbain sees “daggers in men’s smiles”; he is fearful that the killer will come after him and Malcolm, as the next in line for the throne. Donalbain and Malcolm therefore do not believe that there father’s attendants committed the murder. Malcolm will go to England, and Donalbain will go to Ireland; they will seek asylym in separate countries to gain a better chance to gain better chance of at least one of Duncan’s heirs surviving.

6. Malcom says, “To show an unfelt sorrow is an office / Which the false man does easy.” Based on his observation, in what way is Malcolm different from his father?Whereas Duncan was trusting and admitted that he relied on appearances too heavily, Malcolm knows how easy it will be for his father’s murderer to fake sadness. He does not rely on outward ges-tures or appearances to assess loyalty.

7. What role does the weather play in Scene Three?Prior to the discovery of Duncan’s body, Lennox tells Macbeth about the terrible storm the previous night—one more terrible than he could ever remember experiencing. Lennox references cries of grief and of forebodings of terrible things to come. The storm foreshadows the chaos that is about to ensue once Duncan is found dead. It also emphasizes the darkness and the violence of the events that occurred during the night. In Shakespeare’s dramas, the death (murder) of a ruler is often preceded by a terrible storm and supernatural events, suggesting that the natural order itself is thrown into chaos and the heavens cry out against the death.

Act 2, Scene 41. What happened to Duncan’s horses? What theme does this further?

Duncan’s horse went wild after he died and ate each other. Their behavior was strange and eerie, emphasizing the play’s supernatural themes.

2. Who is assumed to have murdered Duncan, and why?The king’s attendants—the ones killed by Macbeth—are assumed to have committed the physical act of killing Duncan, but since Donalbain and Malcolm fled after the murder, they are accused of bribing the attendants to commit the act.

3. What does Ross mean when he says, “Gainst nature still: / Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up / Thine own life’s means!” What is a second meaning for this?Ross is making a statement about the dangers of ambition and how ambition leads to one’s downfall. He is referring to the act of murder Donalbain and Malcolm supposedly committed against their father – a highly unnatural act. Since in actuality Macbeth

committed the murder, an act spurred by ambition, a second interpretation is that Macbeth’s ambition will lead to his downfall.

4. Ross and Macduff discuss how Macbeth is going to Scone to be crowned, whereas Duncan is going to Colmekill to be buried. Why might Macbeth choose not to attend Duncan’s burial, when presumably for appearances’ sake his attendance would be expected?Macbeth may be having a hard time keeping up appearances. He also may not be able to set eyes on Duncan due to his conscience. Finally, he wants to be crowned as soon as possible, given the unsettled political situation in Scotland. He wants to secure his place as king.

Act 3, Scene 11. How does Banquo feel about the witches’ prophecies, now that two of them

have come true?Banquo believes fully in the prophecies and hopes that the witches’ prophecy about Banquo’s offspring ascending to the throne will come true as well.

2. Why does Banquo distrust Macbeth? Why doesn’t’ he show his distrust?Banquo suspects that Macbeth has killed Duncan. While alone, he says, “Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all / As the weyard women promised, and I fear / Thou played’st most foully for’t.” Banquo cannot trust one who killed Duncan; in addition, according to the witches, his own bloodline stands in the way of Macbeth’s heirs’ ascension to the throne. Knowing of what Macbeth is capable, Banquo must know it is in his best interest not to appear threatening to the new king.

3. How does Macbeth turn Banquo into a villain in the scene? Why might he do this? When alone, Macbeth says, “He chid the sisters / When first they put the name of king upon me, / And bade them speak to him. . . .” Macbeth did not dwell on Banquo’s role with the witches earlier; now he is characterizing Banquo as jealous and greedy in order to justify killing his former friend.

4. How does Macbeth convince the murderers to kill Banquo? What reason does he give for keeping his own involvement a secret?Macbeth convinces the murderers that Banquo is responsible for their difficult life circumstances. He tells the murderers he himself would love to kill Banquo, but he cannot because Macbeth and Banquo have mutual friends whose loyalty Macbeth needs to retain. Therefore, Macbeth’s role in Banquo’s and Fleance’s murders must remain secret.

Act 3, Scene 21. What suggests that Lady Macbeth is not happy, though she holds the title

of Queen?

Although Lady Macbeth is now the queen, her position has come at a great cost. She worries for her husband’s mental well-being and wishes she had been a victim rather than a perpetrator. She says, “Naught’s had, all’s spent, / Where our desire is got without content: / ’Tis safer to be that which we destroy / Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.” Although she and Macbeth have seized power, having power has not made them content. She and Macbeth “dwell in doubtful joy”; they cannot escape what they have done, and their actions may be discovered at any time.

2. Why doesn’t Macbeth tell his wife what he’s planning for Banquo?Macbeth does not yet have confirmation that Banquo has been killed. Rather than worry her with his plan before the act, he determines to let her know of its success afterwards. He seems to be shielding her.

3. Describe Macbeth’s state of mind in this scene. Macbeth still struggles with paranoia and guilt and his resentment of Banquo. His life is infinitely more complicated than it was: “Better be with the dead, / Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, / Than on the torture of the mind to lie / In restless ectasy.” He also says his mind is “full of scorpions!” A victim of his thoughts, he states he would rather be dead than alive and suffering as he is. However, he does not accept these circumstances; he has already taken action to change them by arranging for Banquo’s and Fleance’s murders.

Act 3, Scenes 3 and 41. What in Scene Three suggests that the prophecy about Banquo might be

fulfilled?Fleance gets away, and Banquo says as he is dying, “Thou mayst revenge.”

2. What does Macbeth see at the feast that no one else can? How does he react and how does his reaction reflect his mental state?Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost at the feast. The ghost enters, then leaves, then enters again and leaves again. Macbeth is horrified, cries out, and addresses the ghost directly. Even though Macbeth is aware that a room filled with guests is watching and that they cannot see the ghost, he is unable to control himself in front of them. Macbeth’s reaction shows that he is becoming delusional, that he is fearful, and that he has lost control of himself and his ability to keep up appearances.

3. What does Lady Macbeth claim is wrong with Macbeth?Lady Macbeth tells their guests that Macbeth has an illness—and has had it since he was a child— that causes him to behave strangely.

4. In his paranoia, Macbeth questions why Macduff hasn’t come and reveal

that he is paying noblemen’s servants to spy on them. Why might he be so paranoid? Macbeth fears being overthrown, which is a reasonable fear since he has murdered the rightful king and stolen the crown; he has no reason to expect loyalty as he is an illegitimate ruler. With each murder he commits, he fears earning more enemies, and his paranoia grows.

5. Why does Macbeth want to see the witches again?Macbeth recognizes that he is in a vulnerable position; he feels the political tide turning against him, and the appearance of Banquo’s ghost has shaken him. He wants to hear from the witches more of the future so that he can confront it: “I am bent [eager] to know, / By the worst means, the worst.”

Act 3, Scenes 5 and 61. Who is Hecate, and why is she angry?

Hecate is the leader of the witches. She is angry because she was left out of the witches’ plans and exchange with Macbeth, and as their leader, she should have been consulted. She also feels Macbeth, as a “wayward son,” was not worthy of their attentions.

2. What are Hecate’s plans for Macbeth?Hecate plans to destroy Macbeth – more specifically, to arrange it so that he destroys himself. Her magic will “raise such artificial sprites / As by the strength of their illusion / Shall draw him on to his confusion.”

3. How does Lennox feel about Macbeth? Why?Lennox does not trust Macbeth. He implies that Banquo and Duncan were not killed by their sons, as others believe; he implies that Macbeth killed them. He is clearly suspicious of Macbeth’s killing of Duncan’s attendants, asking suggestively, “Was not that nobly done? / Ay, and wisely too, / For twould have angered any heart alive / To hear the men deny’t.” Lennox is convinced that Macbeth killed the attendants in order to keep them from pronouncing their innocence.

4. Where is Macduff, and why?Macduff is in England, where he’s gone to help Malcolm assemble a fighting force against Macbeth.