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Macbeth William Shakespeare
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Act I, Scene I When are the witches planning to meet again and for what purpose?
They are going to meet on the heath after the battle is over in order to speak with Macbeth.
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Describe the setting of this scene
Describe the setting of this scene. How might it be significant considering this is the first scene of the play? What sort of mood does it create? The witches are meeting on an open plain during a thunder and lightning storm. Starting the play with such a bleak and stormy setting may foreshadow turmoil and difficulties for the rest of the play. The weather and setting create a dark, foreboding mood for the play.
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The witches say together, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair
The witches say together, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” This is one of the most famous lines in Macbeth. What might it mean? This line could mean the weather. It could suggest that things are not as they appear. It indicates that the natural order of things is disturbed. The things that seem fair (good) will not be, and things that seem foul (bad) will not be.
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Scene II What does the Sergeant specifically report about Macbeth
Scene II What does the Sergeant specifically report about Macbeth? What does this news reveal to you about Macbeth’s character? Macbeth has killed an enemy, Macdonwald, in a particularly gruesome way. He cut him open from navel to jaw and then cut off his head and fixed it on a stick. This news demonstrates that Macbeth is a courageous and fearsome fighter. 2nd starts here
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What is Macbeth’s relationship to King Duncan?
Macbeth is a general for King Duncan. Duncan refers to him as “cousin”. This suggests that they are also kinsmen. 4th, 6th, and 7th start here
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Who had Macbeth and Banquo been fighting?
They were fighting the Norwegians. The Norwegians were helped by the Thane of Cawdor.
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The Sergeant uses many similes to describe the battle. Identify two.
“Doubtful it stood,/As two spent swimmers that do cling together/And choke their art.” “And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling,/Show’d like a rebel’s whore . . .” Likee valor’s minion carved out his passage . . .” “I must report they were/As cannons overcharged with double cracks. . .”
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What does Ross mean when he calls Macbeth “Bellona’s bridegroom?”
Bellona is a Roman goddess of war, and Ross is calling Macbeth her husband. He means that Macbeth is a great fighter.
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What does King Duncan instruct Ross to do and why?
Duncan tells Ross to order the immediate execution of the Thane of Cawdor because Cawdor has been a traitor to Scotland. Ross is then to tell Macbeth that He, Macbeth, will take over the title of Thane of Cawdor as a reward for valor in battle.
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Scene III What does the first witch plan to do to a sailor and why
Scene III What does the first witch plan to do to a sailor and why? What does this tell you about the three witches? The First Witch asked a sailor’s wife to share chestnuts with her, but the wife refused. To get back at the wife, the witch is planning to create a storm that will affect her husband’s ship. She is also going to torment the sailor by not allowing him to sleep and making him sick. Her plan indicates that the witches are vindictive, evil creatures, who are not necessarily to be trusted.
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When Macbeth says, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen,” what does he mean? *What other line of the play does he echo? *What could be the dramatic irony of the line? *As Macbeth’s first words of the play, how might this line be significant? Macbeth may be referring to either the bloody battle or the weather as “foul”; the day is “fair” because of his victory. *This line echoes the witches line in scene one. *This line is dramatic irony because the audience knows that although Macbeth has just fought a great battle there is evil awaiting him with the witches. *This line could foreshadow the rest of his experience during the play.
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Describe the physical appearance of the Witches.
Macbeth describes them as withered, wild, and unearthly looking. They appear to be women, but they have beards.
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What prophecies do the Witches make regarding Macbeth
What prophecies do the Witches make regarding Macbeth? How does he react based on what Banquo says? They say that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. Banquo describes Macbeth as looking startled and mesmerized by the prophecies, but also afraid of them.
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Question 5 Banquo uses a metaphor about seeds and plants to ask the Witches about his future. “If you can look into the seeds of time,/And say which grain will grow and which will not,/Speak then to me The Witches indicate that although he won’t be a king himself Banquo will be the father of kings and happier than Macbeth. Shakespeare’s audience would know this prophecy to be true because James I of England was thought to be a descendent of Banquo.
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Shakespeare has the Witches speak in language that is frequently contradictory. Point out an example of where that occurs in this scene. The Witches prophesies concerning Banquo are full of contradictions. They say he shall be “lesser than Macbeth, and greater,” amd “not so happy, yet much happier.”
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How likely does Macbeth think it is that he will become Thane of Cawdor or King of Scotland? How is this an example of dramatic irony? Macbeth believes it is equally unlikely that he will be named either Thane of Cawdor or King of Scotland. However the audience knows Duncan has ordered the Thane of Cawdor’s execution and that he plans to give Macbeth the title.
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How do Macbeth and Banquo question their experience with the Witches?
They wonder if the Witches were hallucinations caused by something they ate or if the three “weird sisters” were real. They confirm the details of what the Witches said to them to make sure they both heard the same thing.
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What news does Ross bring to Banquo and Macbeth as they are discussing the prophecies?
He lets them know that Macbeth is the new Thane of Cawdor.
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What does Banquo mean when he says, “What can the devil speak true?”
Banquo is surprised that what the Witches said can come true. Since Ross has just given them information that fulfills part of the prophecy, Banquo must be wondering if the rest of the prophecy will also come true.
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Why does Banquo warn Macbeth about “the instruments of darkness?”
He warns Macbeth to beware of the “instruments of darkness,” such as the witches because they win people over by telling them good, unimportant things, only to deceive them in some other very important way.
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What type of literary device is this
What type of literary device is this? How does this comment tie into the “fair is foul, foul is fair” theme? His comment is foreshadowing because the seemingly positive prophecies do conceal a terrible fate for Macbeth. The comment ties into the theme because what the Witches say seems to be good, but it may conceal something more important that is bad.
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As the others talk, what does Macbeth’s aside reveal about his thinking? What does he fear? How is this moment a turning point for Macbeth? Macbeth is thinking that the Witches were right and the best part of the prophecy is yet to come. He wonders if he may become King without having to do anything else. He also fears that he may have to do something terrible such as murder Duncan in order to become King. This is the first time he considers murder to obtain the throne.
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What is the difference between how Banquo reacts to the fulfillment of the first prophecy and how Macbeth reacts? Banquo reacts with more skepticism than Macbeth. He warns Macbeth that the witches may have told him something pleasant but insignificant only to lead him to his ultimate downfall. Macbeth immediately begins wondering how and when the second prophecy will come true. He even imagines how he might bring it about himself.
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Why might their reactions be significant?
The differences in their reactions are significant because they demonstrate a difference in their ambitions and moral character. Macbeth is so excited by the prospect of becoming king that he considers murder to make it happen. Banquo checks his hopes of having his son become a king by identifying the possible evil of the prophecies.
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14. Macbeth is expressing his confusion and indecision. He is overwhelmed by his imaginings and is unsure of what is real and what is fantasy. Macbeth’s statement that “nothing is but what is not” again hits on the idea that things are not what they appear to be.
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Scene IV How does Malcolm describe Cawdor’s execution?
Malcolm says that Cawdor died very gracefully as if nothing in his life had ever suited him as well. Cawdor was able to accept his fate so calmly that Malcolm says it seemed as if Cawdor had rehearsed his own death.
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How does Duncan respond?
Duncan says that it is impossible to know a person’s character just by looking at his face. He admits that he didn’t know that Cawdor would be a traitor. Duncan had though Cawdor a trustworthy gentleman. Ironically Macbeth walks in at this moment, another man whose loyalty Duncan will misjudge.
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How does Duncan regard what Macbeth has done for him
How does Duncan regard what Macbeth has done for him? What does Macbeth think about the services he has provided? Duncan is grateful and indicates that he will never be able to pay Macbeth back. Macbeth says all he has done is to fulfill his duty to protect the king and that he deserves no payment for that.
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What metaphor does the King use to describe how he will nurture Macbeth?
Duncan refers to Macbeth as if he is a plant, saying he has planted Macbeth and will work to make him flourish. Lines
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How does Banquo further this metaphor
How does Banquo further this metaphor? What earlier comment do his words echo? Banquo continues the plant metaphor by indicating that if Duncan helps him to grow as well, he will give the “harvest” back to the king. Banquo’s comment echoes his earlier use of a plant related metaphor to ask the witches about his future and which “seeds” will grow.
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What is the significance of Duncan naming Malcolm the Prince of Cumberland?
Duncan is saying that Malcolm is heir (next in line) to the throne.
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How does Macbeth react to the announcement in his last speech in this scene? What does he reveal?
Macbeth indicates that Malcolm now lies in the way of his becoming king, and Macbeth also reveals that he has “dark and deep desires” to become king. This means that he may be willing to do anything, including murder, to pursue his ambition.
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Scene V After Lady Macbeth finishes reading the letter, she says Macbeth, “shalt be” what he has been promised, meaning King of Scotland. Why is this comment significant? Lady Macbeth’s words echo the Third Witch, who prophesized, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!” The comment links Lady Macbeth and the Witches. They can all be grouped together as manipulating female characters who help lead to Macbeth’s downfall.
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After Lady Macbeth finishes reading the letter, what concern does she express about Macbeth?
She fears he is too kind to do what must be done if he is to be King. She knows that he has ambition, but lacks the ruthlessness to act on it.
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Why does Lady Macbeth want her husband to hurry home?
She plans to convince him to do whatever he has to in order to be crowned king. She plans to “pour [her] spirits in [Macbeth’s] ear” and manipulate him into doing what she wants.
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How does the news about King Duncan’s impending arrival affect Lady Macbeth? What is she planning?
She is excited and cannot believe what a great opportunity has come along to make Macbeth king. She is already planning the murder of Duncan.
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Why does Lady Macbeth pray to be “unsexed”
Why does Lady Macbeth pray to be “unsexed”? How does she ask to be altered? She believes her feminine qualities must be removed in order for her to help murder the King. She asks to be filled with cruelty, to have her blood thickened, to have her ability to cry and feel guilt stopped, and to have the milk in her breasts turned to gall for the same reason.
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What does this say about Shakespeare’s view of the nature of masculinity and femininity?
Shakespeare equates femininity with kindness, compassion, and gentleness. Masculinity = cruelty, aggression, and violence
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When Macbeth enters, how does Lady Macbeth again echo the words of the Witches?
Lady Macbeth greets Macbeth by saying, “Great Glamis! Worthy Cawdoe!/Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter!” her words echo the Third Witch, who says, “All-hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!” This line continues the connection between Lady Macbeth and the Witches.
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What instructions does Lady Macbeth give to her husband
What instructions does Lady Macbeth give to her husband? What metaphor does she use to describe her advice? Lady Macbeth tells her husband that he must conceal his plan to murder the king. To do this he needs to trick the king by appearing to welcome him. “look like the innocent flower,/But be the serpent under’t” This is another reference to plants and also the fair is foul theme.
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What role has Lady Macbeth adopted in their relationship?
She has taken the leading role in the relationship. She is planning their actions and dominating her husband.
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Scene VI How do Duncan and Banquo regard Macbeth’s home
Scene VI How do Duncan and Banquo regard Macbeth’s home? How are their comments an example of dramatic irony? Duncan and Banquo both describe Macbeth’s home as a sort of paradise. The location is beautiful, and even the air is sweeter there. This is an example of dramatic irony because the audience knows that the Macbeths are planning to murder Duncan in their home even as Duncan is admiring it.
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How does Lady Macbeth’s behavior in this scene contrast with what we know of her from the last scene? What does this indicate about her character? In scene five she showed cruelty and masculine qualities. In this scene Lady Macbeth acts like a loyal subject and a noble lady. She is the image of a perfect hostess. Her character is clever and deceitful.
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Scene VII What arguments does Macbeth raise for not committing the murder? What does he mean when he says that Duncan is “here in double trust”? Macbeth recognizes that if he commits this murder, he may need to murder again to keep up his scheme. He also notes that Duncan has been a good leader of Scotland. He should be protecting Duncan for two reasons: Duncan is his kinsman, and he is their guest.
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Macbeth indicates that Duncan has been a great ruler
Macbeth indicates that Duncan has been a great ruler. According to Macbeth, what qualities make Duncan a good King? Macbeth says that Duncan has not abused his royal powers. He has used them meekly. He has also been a benevolent ruler and full of virtue.
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What resolution does Macbeth communicate to Lady Macbeth?
Macbeth tells her that her will go no further in the murder plot because the King has honored him recently. Many people now hold Macbeth in high regard, and he does not want to ruin his success so soon.
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What does Lady Macbeth say in an attempt to goad her husband into committing the murder? How do her comments tie into her earlier characterizations of masculinity and femininity? Lady Macbeth calls him a coward for refusing to make his actions match his desires. She questions his masculinity and how he can break a promise to her. She is again equating masculinity with violence and aggression.
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Macbeth’s response to his wife, about what a man may dare, is frequently quoted. What does he mean?
Macbeth says he dares do all a man would do. Someone who dares do more, like commit a murder, is not a man but a monster.
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What is the point of the baby imagery that Lady Macbeth uses?
She raises a picture of warmth, love, and family by using the image of a baby suckling at her breast. She shatters the image by saying that she would have knocked the infant’s brains out if she had sworn to Macbeth that she would. She is using this horrible image to show Macbeth that she would never back out of an oath to him, the way he has just done to her.
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Lady Macbeth reveals the details of the murder plot
Lady Macbeth reveals the details of the murder plot. What are they, and how does she convince Macbeth that the plan will work? Lady Macbeth says they will wait until Duncan is sleeping. She will get Duncan’s guards drunk, and they will fall asleep and remember nothing. They will blame the murder on the guards themselves. No one will dare blame the Macbeths because they will show distress and grief over Duncan’s death.
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Why does Macbeth believe that his wife should “bring forth men-children only”? Has her play convinced him to continue in the scheme? He says this because she has such a resolute spirit. Such a spirit will only bring up males well. Macbeth resolves to commit the murder.
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