Macbeth

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Macbeth

• Act I

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1. What are the witches planning at the
beginning of the act?

• They plan to meet Macbeth when the battle is over.

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What does the Captain report about Macbeths
bravery during the battle?

• He send up sprays of blood
• Macbeth acted like Braverys favourite child.
• He cut Macdonald open from his naval to his jaws.
• In the second battle Macbeth was like an
  overcharged cannon.
• He wanted to bathe in the sprays of blood.

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3. What simile does the Captian use to describe
the first battle?

• The battle could be compared to two tired
  swimmers in deep water, clinging to each other.

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4. What simile does the Captain use to describe
the extra energy Macbeth and Banquo found for
the second battle?

• They were like cannons loaded with a double
  charge.

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5. What happened to the original Thane of Cawdor
and why did he lose his title?

• He rebelled against Duncan and was caught.
• Duncan ordered that Cawdor should be executed.

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6. What prophecies do the witches give Macbeth?

• He will be Thane of Cawdor
• He will be King

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7. What prophecy does the witches give Banquo?

• His children would be kings.

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8. Which of Macbeths prophecies he received
came true naturally?

• Becoming the Thane of Cawdor

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9. How do the witches make sure that Macbeth
believes the lie that he will be king?

• They tell him they know he is the Thane of
  Glamis. The prediction of Thane of Cawdor comes
  true. Macbeth now thinks the third prediction
  must also come true.

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10. Banquo says But tis strange, and
oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the
instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us
with honest trifles, to betrays in deepest
consequence. What does Banquo really say?

• Most of the time the instruments of darkness
  tells us the truth in matters of little
  importance.
• This truth is small in comparison with how they
  will betray us later.
• This matter might lead us to betray our souls, to
  commit a greater sin.

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11. Macbeth tries to convince himself that he can
believe the witches. Look at the speech that he
makes in Act I, Scene 3, line 128. What is his
argument?

• If the predictions were bad, why did he become
  the Thane of Cawdor, which is something good.

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12. What did Duncan do when he bestowed on
Malcolm the title of Prince of Cumberland?

• He said Malcolm would succeed him as king.

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13. Why was Macbeth upset when Duncan gave
Malcolm this title?

• Macbeth thought he would become the next king.

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14. What did Macbeth think he had to do when
Malcolm was made Prince of Cumberland?

• He could allow it to prevent him from becoming
  king or he could ignore it and still make sure he
  becomes king.
• He could murder someone.

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15. How does Duncan feel about Macbeth?

• He owes Macbeth a lot.
• Macbeth is like a young tree that Duncan will
  tend until its big.
• Macbeth is brave.

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Shakespeare uses the image of clothingin Act I.
Explain each of these images
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A. The Thane of Cawdor lives why do you dress me
in borrowed robes.

• Giving Macbeth the title while the Thane of
  Cawdor is still alive is like dressing Macbeth in
  clothes borrowed from someone else.

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B. New honours came upon him like a strange
garment cleave not to their mould but with the
aid of use.

• The new title that Macbeth received is like a new
  piece of clothing. It will only fit you nicely
  once you have worn it for some time.

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17. What does Macbeth write in the letter that he
sends to Lady Macbeth?

• The successful battle
• The witches predictions
• He became Thane of Cawdor
• They said he would be king

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18. Lady Macbeth thinks Macbeth will not do
everything that he can to become king. Why does
she think this?

• He is too kind hearted.
• He doesnt have a corrupted character to follow
  his ambition at all costs.
• He will only become something if God wants it.
• He will not kill to become king.

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19. Why does Lady Macbeth invoke evil spirits
into her life when she hears Duncan is going to
stay at their castle?

• She doesnt want to experience feelings of guilt.
• Her plans must be covered by darkness.
• She wants courage to kill Duncan

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20. Lady Macbeth says Macbeth must look like the
innocent flower but be the serpent under it.

• Macbeth must appear innocent on the outside but
  on the inside he must be as dangerous as a snake.

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21. Why does Lady Macbeth say Duncan will not
leave their castle?

• She plans to kill him

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22. What is Duncans opinion of Inverness castle?

• The castle is situated very nicely.
• It is surrounded by a pleasant smell.
• It seems inviting.

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23. How does Lady Macbeth seem when she receives
Duncan at the castle and why is the act of
receiving Duncan, ironic?

• She is very friendly and says everything they
  have belong to Duncan.
• It is ironic because she looks like the perfect
  hostess but she is going to kill him.

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24. In scene 7, Macbeth does not want to kill
Duncan anymore. Give the reasons why he doesnt
want to kill Duncan.

1. It should be done quickly.
2. He must know he would become king.
3. If he kills Duncan, he will pay for the murder.
   If not on earth in the afterlife.
4. Duncan trusts him.
5. Duncan is related to him.
6. Macbeth is his subject.
7. Macbeth is his host.
8. Duncan is a good king and heaven would make sure
   the killer is found out.
9. Nothing motivates Macbeth to commit the crime.

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25. Lady Macbeth says I have given suck, and
know how tender tis to love the babe that milks
me I would, while it was smiling in my face,
have plucked the nipple from his boneless gums,
and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you
have done to this. Why does she use this
argument?

• She is trying to show Macbeth that if she made a
  promise she would keep it even if it meant having
  to do something terrible.

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26. How does Lady Macbeth plan for them to kill
Duncan?

• When Duncan is asleep, she will give the guards a
  potion that will make them sleepy.
• They can sneek into the room and kill Duncan with
  the knives of the guards.
• They can put the bloody knives on the guards and
  everybody would suspect the guards.

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27. Macbeth says False face must hide, what the
false heart doth know. What does he mean?

• Dont show your real feelings on your face.
• Dont let Duncan see in your actions that we are
  planning to murder him.