Focus Questions: Act I

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Focus Questions Act I
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Focus QuestionsMacbeth
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Focus Questions

• What does it mean when the witches say that
  theyll meet again when the hurley burleys
  done/ When the battles lost and won?
  (Shakespeare 1.1.3-4).
• What two forces were facing each other in battle?
• How did the Thane of Cawdor betray the king?

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Focus Questions

• What are the witches three prophesies regarding
  Macbeth?
• How do the witches prophesies set up a conflict
  between Macbeth and Banquo?

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Focus Questions

• What conflict is Macbeth experiencing regarding
  the prophesies?
• Why is Macbeth upset that fate will make him
  king?
• What does Macbeth mean by borrowed robes?

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Focus Questions

• When reading the letter, what does Lady Macbeth
  fear regarding Macbeths nature or character?

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Focus Questions

• Why is Macbeth angry with Duncan for naming
  Malcolm heir?
• How is Lady Macbeths ambition opposite of
  Macbeths and what does she mean by unsex me
  here when she call upon the evil spirits?
• How does Macbeth struggle with the prophesy of
  becoming king in his soliloquy after the king
  arrives?

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Focus Questions

• How does Lady Macbeth insult Macbeth after he
  says he does not wish to kill the king after all?
• What is Lady Macbeths response when Macbeth
  wonders what would happen if they fail in their
  attempt to kill the king, and what is her plan to
  carry out the assassination?

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Focus Questions

• Who are the weird sisters, and what are
  Macbeths and Banquos concerns regarding them?
• What prophesies have begun to come true for
  Macbeth and what potential problems do they
  create for him?

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Act II

• Focus Questions for
• Macbeth

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Focus Questions

• Why does the dagger have to lead the way for
  Macbeth and what does it symbolize?
• How are Lady Macbeths actions different from her
  husbands following the kings murder?
• Who appears more in control of the emotions?
  Macbeth or Lady Macbeth?

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Focus Questions

• Where do Malcolm and Donalbain go?
• Where does Macduff tell Ross hes going?

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Act III

• Focus Questions for
• Macbeth

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Focus Questions

• What are Banquos concerns regarding the witches
  prophesies?
• Why does Macbeth want to know if Fleance is with
  Banquo?
• What does Macbeth mean by fruitless crown?

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Focus Questions

• How does Macbeth convince the two men to murder
  Banquo?
• What psychological reason causes Macbeth to see
  the ghost of Banquo?
• What part of Dramatic Structure does Banquos
  death represent?
• What are Macbeths concerns about Macduff not
  being at the banquet?

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Acts IV and V

• Focus Questions for
• Macbeth

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Focus Questions (Act IV)

• What are the new prophesies the witches give
  Macbeth?
• What is his response to these prophesies,
  especially in relation to Macduff?

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Focus Questions (Act IV)

• What plan does Macbeth reveal in his soliloquy?
• What are Lady Macduffs concerns about her
  husband not being home?
• What is the outcome of Macbeths plan?

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Focus Questions (Act IV)

• What does the physician notice about Lady
  Macbeths behavior?
• Why do you believe she acts this way?

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Focus Questions (Act IV and V)

• How large is the English force that is
  approaching Dunsinane?
• What advice does Malcolm give Macduff regarding
  his grief?

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Focus Questions (Act IV and V)

• What does Macbeth reflect upon regarding what his
  life should have been?
• What message does Macbeth get regarding his wife
  and how does he react to it?

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Focus Questions (Act IV and V)

• How is Macbeths tomorrow, tomorrow, and
  tomorrow soliloquoy existential?
• What similes, metaphors, and personification are
  used in his tomorrow, tomorrow, and tomorrow
  soliloquy?

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Soliloquy
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Act V

• Focus Questions for
• Macbeth

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Focus Questions

• How is each of the witches three prophesies
  fulfilled in the plots resolution of main
  conflict?
• Why does Macbeth initially choose to not kill
  Macduff?

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Focus Questions

• Why does Macbeth choose to fight Macduff once he
  discovers he was not born of woman??
• Who is the new King of Scotland?