Macbeth Review Sheet
What atmosphere is established in Scene 1?
The scene is dark and gloomy, due to the Witches, thunder, and lightning.
How does Banquo describe the Witches when he first sees them upon the heath?
Banquo says they are wild, withered, and appeared to be women but had beards.
What prophecies do the Witches make for Macbeth and Banquo?
The Witches say that Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and King. They go on to tell Banquo that
his sons will be kings.
Macbeth is having second thoughts about killing Duncan. What are the reasons he
gives? Based on these reasons what does he decide?
Macbeth is torn between his ambition and his conscious. Duncan is his cousin and his friend.
Macbeth wants to be loyal to Duncan because he is a good king who has never abused his power.
He decides not to kill Duncan.
What decision does Macbeth make at the end of Act 1? What has Lady Macbeth
said to influence his decision?
Macbeth agrees to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth calls Macbeth a coward and less than a man for
not sticking to his word.
What are Banquo’s concerns about the Witches’ prophecy? What is Macbeth’s
response?
Banquo has had bad dreams about the Witches and part of what they’ve said has come true. In
contrast, Macbeth has not thought about them.
What was Lady Macbeth unable to do in Duncan’s chamber? Why?
Lady Macbeth cannot kill Duncan because he looks like her father.
Who discovers that Duncan has been murdered?
Macduff
Why does Macbeth say he has murdered the guards?
Macbeth says he murdered the guards because they killed Duncan.
Why do Donalbain and Malcolm leave? Where do they say they are going?
Donalbain and Malcolm leave because they fear for their lives. Donalbain goes to Ireland and
Malcolm goes to England.
What reason does Macbeth give the Murderers for wanting Banquo killed? What
reason does he give for not doing it himself?
Macbeth says he fears for his own life if Banquo lives. Macbeth says that he and Banquo have
the same friends and he would not be able to remain friends with them if he killed him himself.
When Banquo’s ghost enters the banquet, what is Macbeth’s reaction?
Macbeth questions who has brought Banquo to the banquet and is very upset.
What does Hecate say she is going to do to Macbeth? Why does she think he will
respond to her?
Hecate is going to create a situation where Macbeth can ruin himself. Hecate says men cannot
resist knowing the future.
Where has Macduff gone and why?
Macduff has gone to England to help Malcolm overthrow Macbeth.
What are the three statements made by the Apparitions?
The Apparitions say that 1) Macbeth should fear Macduff, 2) That no man born of a woman can
harm Macbeth, 3) Macbeth will not be harmed until Great Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane,
the castle.
What happens to Lady Macduff and her son?
Lady Macduff and her son are murdered.
Why does Malcolm question Macduff?
Malcolm needs to know if he can trust Macduff.
What do Malcolm and Macduff plan to do?
Malcolm and Macduff plan on killing Macbeth and restoring peace to Scotland.
What does the Messenger tell Macbeth he sees coming toward Dunsinane?
The Messenger tells Macbeth the trees are moving towards the castle.
What difference can you cite between Macbeth’s army and Malcolm’s army?
Macbeth’s army fights out of fear of being killed. Malcolm’s army fights because they believe in
his quest.
What does Macbeth say to Macduff about his mortality? What is Macduff’s
response? How does Macbeth react?
Macbeth tells Macduff that he cannot be harmed by any man born of a woman. Macduff tells
Macbeth he was ripped from his mother’s womb. Macbeth realizes the Witches have tricked
him.
What does Malcolm say about Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?
Malcolm says Macbeth is a “butcher” and Lady Macbeth is his “fiendish queen.”
What title has never been used before in Scotland that Malcolm plans to use on his
Thanes and kinsman?
Malcolm plans to make the Thanes and kinsman Earls.
Why can Macbeth be considered a tragic hero?
Use examples from the play for this answer.