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Cast of Characters!
The following list of characters will be useful to keep track of who’s who in Macbeth.
Duncan: King of Scotland, murdered by Macbeth
Malcolm and Donalbain: Duncan’s sons who flee from Scotland following their father’s murder
Macbeth: King of Scotland after his murder of Duncan
Banquo: General in Duncan’s army who is murdered by Macbeth in hopes of preventing part of the
witches’ prophecy from coming true.
Macduff: Scottish nobleman who goes to English and returns to Scotland with Malcolm and Siward to
oust Macbeth from office.
Lennox, Ross, Menteith, Angue, and Caithness: Scottish noblemen
Fleance: Banquo’s son who survives to carry on the line of Scottish kings
Siward: Earl of Northumberland; an English general who aids the Scottish forces in overthrowing
Macbeth.
Young Siward: Siward’s son. Killed by Macbeth
Seyton: Macbeth’s attending officer
Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s wife who is instrumental in bringing about Macbeth’s murder of Duncan
Lady Macduff: Wife of Macduff; she and her children are murdered because of Macbeth’s orders
Three Witches: Weird sisters that prophesy Macbeth’s ascension to the Scottish throne and Banquo’s
string of Scottish kings.
Hecate: Leader of the witches.
Act I
Setting the stage for Act I—
Mood is the overall feeling of a play. If you wanted to suggest an eerie, foreboding mood, what kind of
lighting would you use? Sounds effects? Characters? Voices? Special effects? Can you think of other
ways to create this mood?
Act I, Scene i
1. How does Shakespeare set the mood for Macbeth from the first scene? What is the mood?
2. The line “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” is important to one of the main themes in the play;
disorder. What does this line mean?
Act I, Scene ii
This scene tells us what has been happening before the start of the play.
1. The Sergeant brings news of victory in a battle between___________________ ___and
__________________.
2. Who is victorious in the battle?
3. Why is Macbeth given the title of the Thane of Cawdor?
4. Shakespeare has the Sergeant reveal the story of what occurred on the battlefield. He uses
three important literary devices. Find the following examples of each:
Simile—The armies are compared to __________________________.
Metaphor—The Sergeant says that Mabeth __________________________Macdonwald as if
Macdonwald is an item of clothing being ripped apart.
Personification—The Sergeant describes fortune as ___________________________________.
Act I, Scene iii
As the scene begins, we listen to the first Witch’s tale of how a sailor’s wife refused to give her any
chestnuts. The punishment the Witches plan shows their spiteful nature. Keep this in mind and you
read the rest of the play.
1. Macbeth’s opening line is significant: “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” Where have you
heard something similar to this before? What’s the importance?
2. What do the Witches predict for Macbeth?
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3. What do the Witches predict for Banquo?
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4. When the Witches’ first prediction comes true immediately, what does Macbeth think about the
other predictions?
5. What role has the weather played so far?
6. What have you discovered about Macbeth’s character?
Act I, Scene iv
The scene is set in Duncan’s palace. Duncan asks if the treacherous Thane of Cawdor has been
executed yet. Malcolm says that he has. The king greets Macbeth and Banquo returning home from
battle.
How is King Duncan’s comment that he and trusted the Thane of Cawdor, and that it shows there’s
no way to tell someone’s real character from their face ironic since Duncan also trusts Macbeth.
What does the new Thane of Cawdor have in common with the old one?
To whom does King Duncan give the title “Prince of Cumberland”?
What does Macbeth think about this?
Macbeth’s ambition clearly appears by the end of the scene as he seriously considers murder. How
does Macbeth seem to feel about his idea of developing in his mind?
Act I, Scene v
The scene takes place in Macbeth’s castle. It begins with Lady Macbeth reading a letter from her
husband about his meeting with the Witches. Although the letter does not suggest murder, Lady
Macbeth assumes it is necessary; however, she fears that Macbeth is “too full o’ the milk of human
kindness” to do it. She sees this as a weakness that she must “chastise” out of him.
1. What theatrical advantage is there in Lady Macbeth receiving the news by letter?
2. Who is coming to visit the Macbeth’s?
3. Quotable Quote: The following quote is important to the play. Explain its significance to the
plot and/or character of Lady Macbeth:
Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full
Of direst cruelty! Make thick my blood,
Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse…
4. Notice the image from nature that Lady Macbeth uses in her advice to her husband: “look like
the innocent flower/But be the serpent under’t.” What does this imagery suggest? Why would
this advice be useful?
Act I, Scene vi
Duncan and his party arrive at Macbeth’s castle and are greeted graciously by Lady Macbeth.
1. What is ironic in King Duncan’s feeling of pleasantness at Macbeth’s castle?
Act I, Scene vii
This important scene takes place in a room in Macbeth’s castle. It comes in tense contrast to the
relaxed, airy atmosphere of the previous scene at the castle gate.
1. Macbeth’s big decision is whether or not to kill the king. He wavers back and forth on this
important decision. List five reasons Macbeth finds to talk himself our of committing the
murder.
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2. How does Lady Macbeth persuade Macbeth to go through with the murder? Please include
elements of the clothing imagery that once again appears in this scene.
Act I Journal Topic: How would you describe the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as
shown in Act I?
Act II
Setting the Stage for Act II
Think about the emotions that might go along with breaking the law. Try to name the emotional stages
one might experience before and after such an act. Would a person feel guilt, remorse, fear, anger,
sadness? Cite possible reasons for the emotions you suggest.
Act II, Scene i
The scene is set in the courtyard of Macbeth’s castle. It is past midnight, the moon has gone down, and
there are no stars (candles) in the sky. Banquo doesn’t want to go to bed because he is afraid of “cursed
thoughts”. He mentions that he has had a dream about the Weird Sisters (the three witches), Macbeth
is lying when he says that he hasn’t thought about them at all.
1. Banquo gives Macbeth a diamond that is a present from King Duncan to his hostess, Lady
Macbeth. What is a diamond like? In what ways is it an appropriate gift for her?
2. When Macbeth is saying his soliloquy: “Is this a dagger which I see before me…?” How do you
think Macbeth feels inside?
3. What does the ringing of the bell mean?
Act II, Scene ii
This is a crucial scene. It begins with Lady Macbeth, who has had a drink to give herself courage. She
fears that Macbeth has failed in his attempt at murder and knows that failure would ruin them both.
1. Lady Macbeth says that she would have murdered Duncan herself if he had not reminded her of
her own father. How does this compare with her fierce “unsex me here” speech in Act I, Scene
v, in which she calls on spirits to make her cruel?
2. What is the dialogue like between Macbeth and his wife when they first meet after the murder?
What does it show about their mood?
3. Why do you think that Macbeth is troubled by not being able to say Amen when he heard
Malcolm and Donalbain saying their prayers?
4. The image of water as a means of washing away guilt is important here and elsewhere in the
play. When Lady Macbeth says, “A little water clears us of this deed,” is she speaking literally or
figuratively?
5. What mistake does Lady Macbeth scold Macbeth for? (She later fixes this mistake)
6. Quotable Quote: Macbeth utters the following important quote. How is it ironic?
“Me thought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep’—the innocent sleep,
Sleep that knits up the raveled sleeve of care…”
Act II, Scene iii
The scene begins with a continuation of the knocking at the castle gates that Macbeth has already been
frightened by in scene ii.
1. Explain how comic relief is provided by the porter’s speech. Notice that the porter speaks in
prose (ordinary, non-poetic sentences) not in blank verse because of his lower social status.
2. How do you think Macbeth feels during his conversation with Lennox and Macduff as the ask if
the king is due to leave the castle today?
3. Who delivers the news that King Duncan is dead?
4. How does Banquo respond to Lady Macbeth’s words, “What! In our house?” after she hears the
king has been murdered? Why is this important?
5. Macbeth over dramatizes his grief of Duncan’s death. He overreacts again when he kills the
king’s servants. Lady Macbeth decided to pretend to faint in order to draw attention away from
her husband’s actions and words. How does this work?
6. Duncan’s sons fear treason and decide to flee the country. Is this the right decision? How will
their flight be interpreted?
Act II, Scene iv
The first part of this short scene comments on the strange way in which nature seems to be echoing the
terrible event of the human world.
1. What has happened in nature that seems to echo the events in the human world?
2. Macduff brings the news that Malcolm and Donalbain have fled and are suspected of murdering
their father. He also brings other news—what is it?
Act III
Setting the Stage for Act III
Do you think citizens should follow a leader even if the leader seems incompetent or has broken a law?
Can you think of examples in recent history when the government has addressed wrongdoing on the
part of its officials?
Act III, Scene i
Macbeth is now King of Scotland. The scene is set in a room in the royal palace. It begins with a
soliloquy from Banquo that is short but important for two reasons:
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We see Banquo clearly suspecting Macbeth of Duncan’s murder.
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We learn that despite this, Banquo still hopes that the Witches’ prophecies for him may
come true.
1. Macbeth asks whether Banquo plans to go riding and how far he plans to go. Why does he want
to know?
2. Once Banquo is gone, Macbeth sends for two murderers. While waiting or them to come, he
speaks an important soliloquy. What does he speak about?
Act III, Scene ii
Lady Macbeth emerges as a lonely, pathetic figure. She no longer plays a major role in making plans; her
husband now assumes that role. Her close relationship with Macbeth no longer exists. She knows
nothing of Macbeth’s plans to murder Banquo and Fleance. Macbeth has become a prisoner of evil who
suffers from the fear of discovery by day and the torments of nightmares by night. The ill-gotten crown
has brought only mental anguish to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
1. Using animal imagery again, Shakespeare has Macbeth complain that his mind is “full of
scorpions”. What must Macbeth feel like to describe himself in this way?
2. Even though Duncan is dead, Macbeth is jealous of his…
3. Macbeth has called Lady Macbeth “love” and in this scene he calls her “dearest chuck”. How
does he feel about her? Does he keep her ignorant of his new murder plan to protect her?
Act III, Scene iii
1. Why does Macbeth send a third murderer to kill Banquo and Fleance?
2. What goes wrong?
3. How does this relate to the Witches’ prophecy?
4. What are Banquo’s last word? To whom are they addressed?
Act III, Scene iv
The scene centers on the banquet. The guests sit according to their “degrees” (status). Macbeth is
trying to be a good host when one of the murderers arrives with the news of Banquo’s death. Macbeth
is pleased at first, but deeply disappointed to hear that Fleance has excaped. With Fleance dead, he
might have felt free “as the casing air”. Instead, he feels “cabin’d, cribb’d, confin’d, bound in/To saucy
doubts and fears”. Notice the alliteration: the hard “C” sounds reflect Macbeth’s hopes of freedom
being cut off.
1. What ironic event happens at the climax of the play?
2. How well do you think Lady Macbeth does in convincing the guests at the banquet that all is
well?
3. Is Lady Macbeth doing the right thing when she tries to make Macbeth pull himself together by
questioning his manhood (“Are you a man?” and “What! Quite unmann’d in folly?”)?
4. The scene ends with a chilling warning that there is worse to come: “We are yet but young in
deed.” What do you think this foreshadows?
Act III, Scene v
Hecate, goddess of witchcraft and the moon, rebukes the Witches for dealing with Macbeth without
her. She tells them to get ready for their next meeting with him.
1. How does the scene reveal Macduff as the possible nemesis of Macbeth?
Act III, Scene vi
This scene serves to let us know how the situation is developing. We are told that Macduff has gone to
raise an army to fight Macbeth.
1. What are the advantages of informing us through Lennox that Macduff is preparing to battle
Macbeth rather than having a scene showing Macduff at the English court?
Journal Topic for Act III: Why do you think Shakespeare had Banquo’s ghost remain silent rather than
speak to the Macbeth’s and others at the feast?
Act IV
Setting the Stage for Act IV
Which do you think would create a stronger commitment to fight in a person: patriotism or revenge?
Why?
Act IV, Scene i
1. The Witches prepare a spell to summon spirits for Macbeth. The foul ingredients they throw into
their boiling cauldron suggest poisonous evil, savagery, darkness, death, and destruction. Which
ones stand out in your mind?
2. The second Witch feels in her thumbs that Macbeth is coming. He enters and asks what they’re
doing. What does the answer, “A deed without a name,” suggest to you?
3.
The Witches show Macbeth three apparitions of spirits. Draw something to suggest each one in
the boxes below. Write a note on what each means beneath your drawing. Also, write the
message of each apparition beside the picture.
4. Quotable Quotes: The second apparition says “…for none of woman born/Shall harm Macbeth.”
Why is this quote significant to the play? Come back to it if necessary.
5. How does Macbeth feel about what the last apparition tells him? What do you think will happen
(predict)?
6. Read the Witches’ chant, beginning “Round about the cauldron go,” It is in rhyming couplets and is
in a different rhythm to most of the play. There is a repeated refrain in which they all join in. Notice
its rhyming and the power built up by the use of alliteration. What are the examples of alliteration?
What is the overall effect?
7. What message does Lennox bring Macbeth?
Act IV, Scene ii
The scene takes place in Macduff’s castle in Fife. Lady Macduff complains that her husband must be
mad, or without concern for his family, to have left them defenseless. Even the wren (a tiny bird), will
fight an owl (significantly, a night bird) to protect her young.
1. Ross says he is leaving because otherwise he will disgrace himself by weeping. Why else might
he want to leave?
2. Why does Lady Macduff say that her husband is dead? Is she testing her son? Does he take her
seriously? Why is this dramatic irony? (What do we know that they do not)?
3. What warning does the messenger bring to Lady Macduff?
4. Macduff’s son bravely defends his father’s name and with his last breath urges his mother to
flee. Is this realistic?
Note: It may seem strange that Shakespeare created the character of Lady Macduff only to kill her off
after one scene. But think about what a good contrast she is to Lady Macbeth. The scene also engages
our sympathies, preventing us from becoming hardened to the awful events taking place in the play.
Act IV, Scene iii
This is the only scene set outside of Scotland—at King Edward’s palace. We see a contrat between
Malcolm and Macduff. Malcolm suggests they find a good place to “Weep our sad bosoms empty.”
Macduff says that instead they should fight to defend their country. Malcolm distrusts Macduff at first.
He points out that Macduff was once loyal to Macbeth, and that Macduff has not as yet suffered at
Macbeth’s hands. Therefore, it might make good sense for Macduff to seek Macbeth’s approval by
betraying Malcolm. Macduff’s simple answer is in character: “I am not treacherous.” Malcolm believes
that Macduff’s allegiance is to Scotland and not to Macbeth.
How does Malcolm test Macduff?
What news does Ross bring about Macduff’s family?
How does Macduff react?
Act V
Setting the Stage for Act V
How important do you think it is for a soldier to feel love or loyalty toward those who ask him or her to
fight?
Act V, Scene i
The scene takes place in Dunsinane Castle. It shows a much changed Lady Macbeth. Previously a
powerful, commanding woman, now she is broken and pitiable. Her sleep-talking and repetitive handwashing show that she is suffering unbearably for her sense of guilt. These things also make it clear to
the doctor and gentlewoman that Lady Macbeth has been involved in murder.
1. The gentlewoman reports that she has seen Lady Macbeth write a letter. What do you think
she’s written? A confession? A letter to her husband? A letter warning Lady Macduff?
2. The gentlewoman refuses to tell the doctor what she has heard Lady Macbeth say, so long as
there is no witness to back her up. Why do you think this is?
3. What do Lady Macbeth’s speeches suggest about her state of mind?
4. Quotable Quote: “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” What is going on?
5. Compare/contrast Lady Macbeth’s and Macbeth’s state of mind at this point of the play.
Act V, Scene ii
The scene takes place near Macbeth’s castle. From this point, the action of the play speeds up. Short
scenes cut between the opposing armies.
1. Briefly explain the conversation of the Scottish noblemen, Menteith, Caithness, Angus and
Lennox.
Act V, Scene iii
Macbeth is in his castle preparing for battle. His mood swings wildly. At first, he seems defiantly
confident, reassuring himself with the Witches’ prophecies. His castle is safe “Til Birnam Wood remove
to Dunsinane” and he cannot be killed by “man that’s born of woman.” A servant tells him that the
English army is at hand, and Macbeth is thrown into fury, cursing and taunting the unfortunate young
for looking pale with fear.
1. Macbeth hurls four insults at the servant about his pale face. What are they?
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2. What does Macbeth’s speech to Seyton reveal to us?
Note: The doctor’s final aside is Shakespeare’s little joke at the expense of doctors, who were thougth
of as money grabbing.
Act V, Scene iv
The scene takes place in Birnam Woods.
1. What news does Seyton bring to Macbeth?
2. Malcolm orders his soldiers to cut down branches from Birnam Wood and carry them to conceal
their numbers from Macbeth. What prophecy does this fulfill?
Act V, Scene v
The scene takes place inside Macbeth’s castle. At first he is still hopeful, insisting that his castle is strong
enough to “laugh a siege to scorn” so that the attackers will die of hunger and sickness before they
manage to break in.
1. How does Macbeth react to the news of Lady Macbeth’s death? How much do you think he
really cares about her?
2. “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.” What do you think Macbeth means in this line?
3. What is Macbeth saying in this most famous quote?
4. List three things to which Macbeth compares life. How effective is each image?
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5. Macbeth hears that Birnam Wood is approaching Dunsinane. What is Macbeth’s reaction?
Act V, Scene vi
The scene takes place outside of Macbeth’s castle.
1. Summarize the scene.
Act V, Scene vii
Macbeth has left his castle to fight in the open. Using another animal image, he compares himself to a
bear tied to a stake he has no choice but to fight.
1. Who does Macbeth kill?
2. Alone on stage for a moment, Macbeth says that he won’t commit suicide, as a Roman night
have done to avoid dishonorable capture, but will fight on. Macduff enters, sees Macbeth, and
challenges his with what words?
3. While fighting, Macbeth tells Macduff he is wasting his time because he can’t be killed by “one
of woman born,” Macduff tells Macbeth to despair because he, Macduff, was born by Caesarian.
What does this mean for Macbeth?
4. Macbeth declares, “Yet I will try my last,” meaning that he will fight to the death. How do you
feel about Macbeth as he makes his last exit? Is he in any sense a hero?
5. Macduff enters with Macbeth’s head, and hails Malcolm as king. He says that now “the time is
free.” How does Malcolm behave rather like his father Duncan in Act I, Scene iv?