Macbeth Review
Answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper. This page is double sided
-don’t miss the quotations and questions on the back.\
1) Symbolism – state the significance of the following symbols and give an example where
it is seen in the play.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Blood
Snakes
Animals
Ghosts
Hallucinations
Colour
2) Themes – Explain the following themes and give an example where this theme is
evident.
a) Role of women
b) False Appearances vs. Reality
c) Guilt
d) Power and Corruption
e) Changing Roles
f) Fate vs Free Will
3)
Identify the following character and state their significance to the plot of the play:
a) Duncan
b) Donalbain
c) MacDonwald
d) The Porter
e) Ross
f) Macduff
g) Macbeth
h) Lady Macbeth
i) The witches
j) Malcolm
k) Siward
l) Lady Macduff
4) Quotation Analysis: for the following quotations, give the context in which this
quotation was said and state whether it advances plot, character or theme and explain
how.
a) “Out damn spot!” (5.1)
b) “So foul and fair a day I have not seen” (1.3)
c) “Macbeth has murdered sleep” (2.2.33)
d) "That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold / What hath quench'd them
hath given me fire" (2.2.1-2).
e) "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? No, this my hand
will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red" (2.2.5760).
f) "Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, / As the weird women promised, and, I
fear, / Thou play'dst most foully for't" (3.1.1-3)
g) Nought's had, all's spent, / Where our desire is got without content: / 'Tis safer to be
that which we destroy / Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy" (3.2.4-7).
h) "'Tis better thee without than he within" (3.4.14).
i) "Thou canst not say I did it: never shake / Thy gory locks at me" (3.4.50).
j) "By the pricking of my thumbs, / Something wicked this way comes" (4.1.45).
k) "I shall do so; / But I must also feel it as a man" (4.3.220-221).
5) Analysis Questions:
a) Who is the real villain in the play?
b) Is Macbeth controlled by fate or his own free will?
c) Do you think Macbeth is ultimately a victim in this play?
d) In what ways does Shakespeare show women as strong and powerful characters? In
what ways does Shakespeare show contempt for women?
e) Is Lady Macbeth actually the supportive wife in this play, and is therefore a
misunderstood character?
f) Relate the quotation, “absolute power corrupts absolutely” to Macbeth.
g) Discuss the idea of false appearances looking at intentional false appearances as well as
unintentional false appearances.