MACBETH STUDY GUIDE
Plot Outline
The play is set in Scotland during the 11th century. The Scots are fighting against the
invading Norwegians.
Act 1 Scene 1
The three witches plan their next meeting: with Macbeth on the heath when the battle has
been decided.
Key quote:
'Fair is foul, and foul is fair
Hover through the fog and filthy air.' (1,1,9-10)
Questions:
1.
What is the atmosphere of this scene?
2.
What questions does the audience ask at this point?
Scene 2
The battlefield with King Duncan, Malcolm and Donalbain (his sons) and a lord, Lennox.
The Scottish are fighting against the Norwegians and the rebel Scot, Macdonald.
A soldier enters with news of the battle: it was an even battle until Macbeth fought the rebel
and 'unseam'd him from the nave to the chops,/ And fix'd his head upon our battlements.' (1,
2, 22-23)
Question:
What does this action tell us about the kind of man Macbeth is?
The Norwegians begin a fresh assault but are rebuffed by Macbeth and Banquo. The Scottish
forces win the battle. The Norwegian king, Sweno, wants to make peace.
As a reward for his efforts, King Duncan intends to make Macbeth Thane of Cawdor. (A
thane is a nobleman, a lord. Macbeth is already Thane of Glamis.)
Scene 3
The witches show what kind of power they have over people. Macbeth and Banquo happen
to meet them:
'So foul and fair a day I have not seen' says Macbeth. When Banquo and Macbeth see the
witches they question them.
The witches greet Macbeth in three ways:
1.
2.
3.
And the witches also tell Banquo three things:
1.
2.
3.
Questions:
1.
Macbeth does not know he is to be made Thane of Cawdor so how do the witches
know?
2.
How does Banquo react to this greeting?
3.
What does Macbeth want to know from the witches?
Immediately after this meeting Ross tells Macbeth the news. Banquo asks 'What! Can the
Devil speak true?' (1, 3, 106).
Banquo is worried about the witches' statements or prophecies:
And oftentimes,
………
In deepest consequence. (1, 3, 123-126)
Questions:
1.
In what ways could Macbeth become King?
2.
What are his feelings about these possible ways of action?
3.
What do you think Macbeth will do to become King?
Scene 4
The traitorous Thane of Cawdor has been executed and the King regrets the Thane's
treachery. He had trusted him:
'He was agentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust.' (1, 4, 14-15)
Macbeth meets King Duncan and professes his loyalty. This is an example of dramatic irony
because Macbeth is now Thane of Cawdor and he will also be a traitor to the king.
Duncan makes his son, Malcolm, Prince of Cumberland, heir to the throne of Scotland. This
is a blow to Macbeth.
Question:
What does Macbeth intend to do?
Stars, hide your fires,
Let not light see my black and deep desires;
The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. (1, 4, 52-55)
Scene 5
Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband. He tells her of the witches' prophecies and
that already he has been made Thane of Cawdor. Lady Macbeth thinks about his character in
a soliloquy:
I do fear thy nature,
It is too full o' th' milk of human-kindness
To catch the nearest way. (1, 5, 15-16)
Lady Macbeth decides to influence or encourage Macbeth to kill Duncan so that he can
become king quickly. She asks the spirits to fill her with 'direst cruelty' (1, 7, 43).
Macbeth comes home with the news that the king is to stay with them that night. This will
give them the opportunity to 'provide' for him (1, 7, 67), that is, kill him.
Scene 6
King Duncan comes to Macbeth's castle full of happiness and commenting on the pleasant
surroundings. Little does he know of Lady Macbeth's plans! This is an example of dramatic
irony, where the audience knows more than the characters on stage who speak innocently
about future events. Lady Macbeth offers her hospitality, to look after the king while he
stays with them.
Scene 7
Macbeth's soliloquy about the murder of Duncan show his conflict against:
*
*
*
*
*
*
God will damn him in his future life;
People on earth will hate or judge him while he is alive;
Macbeth is family to the king;
Macbeth is his subject;
Macbeth is the king's host;
Duncan is a good king and everyone will know that the murder was a terrible act.
For:
*
ambition -
I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting Ambition, which o'erleaps itself,
And falls on th' other. (1, 7, 25-7)
Questions:
1.
Should Macbeth murder Duncan?
Macbeth decides not to go ahead: 'We will proceed no further in this business'(1, 7, 31).
Lady Macbeth reacts violently. She accuses him of being a coward, less than a man.
Macbeth seems easily convinced by her attack and decides to kill the king.
They will have to pretend that they have no plans against Duncan:
False face must hide what the false heart doth know. (1, 7, 83)
Questions:
1.
What does the audience think of Lady Macbeth?
2.
What kind of man is Macbeth?