1. MURDER PLAN
To consider Macbeth’s state of mind and Lady Macbeth’s persuasive nature

2. What’s happening in Macbeth?
Fill in the boxes with a one sentence summary of the scene. Make sure to include significant events or revelations.
Scene 1
The Three Witches meet and decide on where and when they will meet Macbeth.
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
Scene 7

3. ACT 1 SCENE 6
Duncan, the Scottish lords, and their attendants arrive outside Macbeth’s castle. Duncan praises the castle’s pleasant environment, and he thanks Lady Macbeth, who has emerged to greet him, for her hospitality. She replies that it is her duty to be hospitable since she and her husband owe so much to their king. Duncan then asks to be taken inside to Macbeth, whom he professes to love dearly.

4. ACT 1 SCENE 7

5. How is this different to Macbeth’s Soliloquy from earlier in Act One?1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If the assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease success; that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all here,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases
We still have judgment here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
To plague th' inventor: this even-handed justice
Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself.
Trammel up = confine, capture
Surcease = complete
Bank and shoal = sandbank and shallow
Chalice = goblet
Kinsman = Male relative
Subject = follower, subordinate
How is this different to Macbeth’s Soliloquy from earlier in Act One?

6. Macbeth’s Soliloquy
Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking-off;
And pity, like a naked newborn babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubim, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind.
I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself
And falls on th' other. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Borne his faculties so meek = a humble leader
Office = kingship
Virtues = good qualities
Striding = walking
Cherubim = angels
Horsed upon = riding on
Spur = branch
Vaulting = jumping
Th’ other = consequences
What euphemisms does Macbeth use for Duncan’s murder?
Why doesn’t Macbeth simply say “kill” or “Murder?”
Pick the most important word in every line, which best represents the idea being relayed.

7. LADY MACBETH’S PERSUASION
How does Shakespeare present Lady Macbeth’s persuasive nature in Act 1, Scene 7, lines 36 – 73 ?
What is learned about Lady Macbeth’s nature and personality?
What techniques does she use? What specific words does she use, and for what effect?
How would Jacobean audiences react to Lady Macbeth, based on the patriarchal society and supernatural suspicions?
Flattery
Insults
Emasculation
Reassurance
Self-explanation