1. Act 1, scene 6 and 7

2.  At the end of this lesson we will have studied the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, in terms of how their appearance differs from their reality.

3.  Imagine that you’re sitting at home, minding your own business when the doorbell rings.  When you open the door, you find someone whom you secretly detest standing there.  In groups, create a short script about how you would greet this person, inviting them into your home for a cup of tea.

4.  For this scene, the following roles need to be read:  Duncan  Banquo  Lady Macbeth

5.  Lines 1 – 10 are full of praise for Macbeth’s castle.  As an audience, which lines do you feel are particularly effective in showing that all is not what it seems at the castle (irony)? Duncan: This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses. Banquo: This guest of summer, The temple-haunting martlet, does approve By his loved mansionry that the heaven’s breath Smells wooingly here. No jutty, frieze, Buttress, nor coign of vantage but this bird Hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle; Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed The air is delicate.

6.  Consider the way Duncan flatters and compliments Lady Macbeth. How is this speech an example of dramatic irony?  Consider the way Lady Macbeth in turn flatters and compliments Duncan. How can her words be interpreted by the audience as extremely insincere/hypocritical?

7.  How does this scene contribute towards the audiences understanding of: Duncan Lady Macbeth Macbeth

8.  The scene starts with Macbeth agonizing over what he should do. Pay close attention to what he says during the soliloquy...  For this scene we will need the following roles read:  Macbeth  Lady Macbeth

9.  How does Macbeth’s soliloquy show that he is uneasy about the task that has been set before him? If only there were no consequences resulting from the murder, I’d risk it, not worrying about the future (lines 1 -7)

10.  Macbeth argues against killing Duncan, and considers the following points:  Vengeance  Kinship  Loyalty  Hospitality  Duncan’s good qualities  Religion:  Pity and horror  Search lines 7-25 for evidence that Macbeth is considering all these points.

11.  In the end of his soliloquy, what does Macbeth say is the one and only reason pushing him to commit murder?

12.  During his entire speech, Macbeth rarely states directly that he will kill Duncan – instead he uses many euphemisms (less brutal language), such as referring to the act as ‘it’, ‘assassination’, ‘his surcease’, ‘this blow’, ‘these cases’, ‘the deed’, ‘his taking off’, ‘horrid deed’, and ‘my intent’.

13.  Macbeth tells his wife he will not murder Duncan. How does she react?  Lady Macbeth is meant to hurl her words at her husband in this scene. Why does she speak this way towards her husband, and what does this tell us about their relationship?  Which of Lady Macbeth’s lines do you feel have the greatest effect on Macbeth?

14.  Macbeth does not tell any of his doubts to his wife. Why do you suppose this is?

15.  Macbeth: Away, and mock the time with fairest show, False face must hide what the false heart doth know

16.  Both Macbeth and his wife have left a feast in which they are meant to be the host. How do you suppose the guests are reacting to their absence?  At any moment someone may come searching for the pair, and overhear the secret.  How would you advise the actors to behave in this scene?

17.  If you had to sum up the entire Act in one paragraph, what would you write?

18.  Add any new facts to your outline of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, in terms of their character.