1. Act I

2. I.i I.i.10-11 This rhymed couplet is the witches’ most famous utterance. What theme does it introduce Summary I.i: Three cackling witches plan to meet Macbeth on the heath as he returns from battle. –Appearances are deceiving; good and evil become blurred.

3. I.ii I.ii.23 Notice how this horrible action is described by a messenger, not shown on stage. What did Macbeth do to the rebellious Macdonwald? I.ii.27-28 A Paradox is an apparent contradiction that on closer inspection is actually true. How does this paradox relates to the witches’ statement “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” in I.i.10 Macbeth slashed Macdonwald from navel to jaws, beheaded him, and stuck the head on top of the castle wall

4. I.ii I.ii.67 How might this line relate to I.i.4? –“When the battle’s lost and won” Summary I.ii: A captain reports to King Duncan of Scotland that Macbeth has killed the traitor Macdonwald in battle. Another lord reports that Macbeth and Banquo have forced the invading Norwegians to surrender. Unknown to Macbeth, Duncan condemns to death the present Thane of Cawdor for treason and awards Macbeth his title. A title has been both lost and won in the battle.

5. I.iii I.iii.38 What words is Macbeth echoing here? I.iii.38 Why, given the weather, does Macbeth think the day is “fair”? I.iii.51-55 Why might Macbeth “start” and seem to fear”? Macbeth has not hear these lines before but is unknowingly echoing the witches’ comment (I.I.10). He may be referring to the terrible thunder, lightning, and fog and the wonderful victory, or he may men that the killing of Macdonwald and the butchery of Sweno’s forces were foul, but having succeeded has made the day fair.

6. I.iii I.iii.51 Banquos’ words give a clue as to how Macbeth reacts to the witches. What is Macbeth doing? When Banquo asks, “Are ye fantastical,” whom is he addressing? I.iii.65-66 How could these paradoxes be true? Lesser and greater --- happy yet much happier Banquo could be lesser in rank than Macbeth but greater in personal honor or achievement; or, Banquo could be dissatisfied with his rank but happier about himself as a person

7. I.iii I.iii.83-86 Compare and contrast Banquo’s and Macbeth’s reactions to the witches.

8. May want to be king Wants to believe the prophecies-seems to accept their authority Seems humble, not as aggressive as Macbeth Not in line for throne Skeptical of witches and their words Tries to explain their presence Curious about the witches Serious MACBETHBANQUO Has been a hero – may feel he deserves a reward and may have legitimate claim to throne

9. I.iii I.iii.126 How does this speech show Banquo as part of the conscience of the play? I.iii. 134-141 What are the two ways does Macbeth imagine he could become king? I.iii.145 What does Banquo compare Macbeth and his new honors to? Is Banquo’s mood different from Macbeth’s? He compares Macbeth’s honors to new clothes, not yet broken in. Baquo’s mood is calm because he dismisses the witches’ comments. Macbeth’s mood is excited because he believes the witches.

10. I.iii Summary I.iii: Macbeth and Banquo meet the three witches, who make three predictions: that Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor; that Macbeth will be king; and that Banquo will beget kings. Ross and Angus, two noblemen, arrive to tell Macbeth he has been made Thane of Cawdor. The new causes Macbeth to take the wiches’ prophecies seriuosly, and he begins to consider murdering King Duncan.

11. I.iv I.iv.8 What does this famous line mean: “nothing in his life / Became him like the leaving it”? I.iv.12-14 How do these lines reflect a major theme of Macbeth? The way he died was the finest thing he ever did. This might be taken at face value – praise for his courage in confessing and facing death without fear – or it could be construed as an ironic comment on the quality of his life. Duncan is unable to distinguish appearance from reality; he cannot read people’s characters.

12. I.iv I.iv.12 What irony do you see here? What does Duncan rail to realize about another face? I.iv.43 Who is to inherit Duncan’s crown? I.iv.48-53 Where in this speech do we begin to hear Macbeth talk in terms of darkness? Summary I.iv: At his palace, Duncan proclaims his son Malcolm heir to the throne. Macbeth acknowledges that Malcolm is an obstacle in the path to the throne and that “black and deep desires” stir in him

13. I.v I.v.7-12 How does Macbeth feel about the prophecy that he will be king? I.v.13-22 What does Lady Macbeth do with the letter? Whom is she addressing her with “thou” and “thy”? How would you explain “th’milk of human kindness”? I.v.36 Who is the raven she refers to as being hoarse? Why does she call him the raven? I.v.38-52 What does Lady Macbeth ask of the spirits? Why?

14. I.v I.v.52 How has Lady Macbeth reinforced the witches’ statement: “Fair is foul, and fould is fair...”? I.v.59-64 How does this line relate to Duncan’s statment., “There’s no art / To find the mind’s construction in the face” (I.iv.11-12)? She has prayed that her fines qualities be made foul. It supports Duncan’s comment by suggesting that the face can be used as a mask to conceal evil thoughts.

15. I.v Summary I.v: At Inverness, Lady Macbeth reads a letter from Macbeth relaying the witches’ prophecies. Fearing Macbeth is too soft-hearted to do what he must to become king, she resolves to use her power over him to steel his will. When she learns the king will visit their castle that night, Lady Macbeth sees it as the perfect opportunity to murder him.

16. I.vi I.vi.9 What irony do you feel as Duncan admires the castle? I.vi.21-23 What does Duncan say spurred Macbeth homeward? What is Duncan’s tone? What irony is the audience aware of? Macbeth’s love for his wife spurs him home. Duncan is probably speaking affectionately, unaware that Lady Macbeth plans to urge Macbeth to murder him.

17. I.vi Summary I.vi: King Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle. The king comments with dramatic irony on the pleasant atmosphere surrounding Macbeth’s home. Lady Macbeth graciously welcomes the king while plotting his murder.

18. I.vii I.vii.1-28 This is one of Shakespeare’s great soliloquies, in which Macbeth voices his indecision and possibly his conscience. What are his conflicts 1) 2) 3) 4) He is afraid of the consequences of the murder He has obligations as Duncan’s kinsman, subject, and host He is afraid that Duncan’s death might outrage people. He is motivated by ambition, not by hatred of Duncan or dissatisfaction with his rule as king.

19. I.vii I.vii.25-28 What comparison is Macbeth making? I.vii.35-38 In this passage, Lady Macbeth says that Macbeth had clothed himself in hope. How does she then personify hope? I.vii.54 How does Lady Macbeth try to intimidate her husband in this speech? I.vii.72 “Quell” is murder. What are Lady Macbeth’s plans?

20. I.vii I.vii.81-82 Compare Macbeth’s words about a “false face” to Lady Macbeth’s words in I.v.61- 64. (To beguile the time, / Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye, / Your hand, your tongue: look like the’ innocent flower, / But be the serpent under’t.) What do you think of the similarity? I.vii.82 How is this yet another echo of the witches’ words in Scene 1? Macbeth is becoming more evil-he has taken Lady Macbeth’s advice so seriously that now he says virtually the same thing as she does.

21. I.vii Summary I.vii: Macbeth speaks his first important soliloquy, explaining how his ambition has led him to thoughts of murder. He is joined by Lady Macbeth, who taunts him to show his manliness by killing Duncan.

22. ACT I Quiz 1.In I.ii, why does King Duncan give Macbeth a new title? 2.What do the witches predict for Macbeth and Banquo? 3.When the audience first meets Lady Macbeth, what is she doing? 4.Whom does Duncan name as Prince of Cumberland? In the final scene of this act, what is the conflict between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth?

23. ACT I Quiz (Answers) 1.King Duncan gives Macbeth a new title to reward him for his brave service. 2.The witches predict that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and king; Banquo will father kings. 3.Lady Macbeth is reading a letter from Macbeth. 4.Duncan names his son Malcolm and Prince of Cumberland. 5.The the final scene Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have conflict over whether or not to kill Duncan