English IV
McNew
Macbeth test review guide.
You will have 45 multiple-choice questions. Here are some facts you will need to know for the test.
The witch’s tale of the sailor indicates that the weird sisters are malicious.
King Duncan decides to make Macbeth Thane of Cawdor because Macbeth fought heroically for
him.
When Macbeth receives his new title, Banquo reacts with concern.
After reading the letter from her husband, Lady Macbeth calls upon the spirits to “Make thick my
blood, /Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse.” She is asking to be made insensitive to the
cruelty she is planning.
Near the end of Act I, the end of Act I, Macbeth expresses doubt about murdering the king
because he is the king’s subject and host.
Before Macbeth makes his first appearance, we learn about his bravery.
Macbeth’s first reaction to the witches’ prediction is one of shock.
Lady Macbeth’s remark that her husband is “too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness” indicates
that she is ruthless.
The dagger that Macbeth sees in his Scene 1 soliloquy is part of an hallucination.
When Macbeth talks agitatedly about the murders, Lady Macbeth urges him to try and not dwell
on it.
The porter’s cursing is ironic because he invokes the devil without knowing about the crime.
When Lennox and Macduff arrive at Macbeth’s castle in the morning, Macduff wonders if the
porter stayed out late and slept in.
As soon as the murder becomes known, Malcolm and Donalbain flee Scotland because they fear
for their lives.
Banquo wants to meet with the other nobles in order to discover the purpose of the murder.
The natural disturbances that continue all night—including the screaming and murderous owl,
chimneys being blown down, and Duncan’s horses turning wild— symbolize the evil of
Macbeth’s deeds.
In Act II, Scene 1, Macbeth attempts to convince Banquo to agree to talk with him.
When Macbeth is alone, he imagines he sees a dagger.
Lady Macbeth tells her husband in Act II, Scene 2 not to dwell on the murder.
In Act II, Scene 4, Macduff emphasizes his opposition to Macbeth by not going to Scone.
As he considers Macbeth’s kingship, Banquo feels a glimmer of hope for his own sons.
The “barren scepter” Macbeth refers to is a symbol implying that he will have no heir to the
throne.
Macbeth explains to the hired murderers that they must keep his plan a secret because he and
Banquo have common friends that would be upset if it was discovered.
When Macbeth hears that Fleance has escaped the murderers, he reacts with anxiety.
When Macbeth begins talking to Banquo’s ghost, Lady Macbeth reacts by telling others he has an
illness.
Hecate intends to ensure Macbeth’s downfall by making him overconfident.
Banquo reveals at the start of Act III that he suspects that Macbeth killed Duncan.
Macbeth wants Fleance dead because the witches promised that Banquo’s sons would be kings.
In the extended banquet scene, Macbeth chastises Banquo for being absent. The speech is ironic
because Banquo is present in the form of a ghost.
During the banquet, Lady Macbeth tries to explain away Macbeth’s odd behavior.
In response to Macbeth’s questions, the witches call upon three apparitions.
When Macbeth hears that no one born of a woman will harm him, he decides to kill Macduff
anyway.
Lady Macduff misses her last chance for escape, which comes when a messenger warns her to
flee.
Malcolm pretends that he is too evil to become king in order to test Macduff’s loyalty.
When Macduff receives the news of his family, Malcolm urges him to rouse his anger.
Macbeth’s hired assassins allegedly kill Macduff’s family.
In Act IV, Scene 3, Malcolm and Macduff meet in England and discuss the treachery of Macbeth.
When Macduff learns the news of his wife’s death, he becomes determined to unseat Macbeth.
The gentlewoman in Scene 1 refuses to repeat Lady Macbeth’s sleep-talk to the doctor because
there is no witness to confirm the truth of the gentlewoman’s words.
The “damned spot” to which Lady Macbeth refers is Duncan’s blood.
Macbeth tries to reassure himself that Malcolm and Macduff are not a threat to him because they
are not of woman born.
As Macbeth’s anxiety grows, he commands the doctor to cure Lady Macbeth.
Macbeth’s reaction to his wife’s death shows that he thinks life is a meaningless path to death.
Macduff declares that he must kill Macbeth because he must avenge his family’s murders.
Macbeth finally realizes that the witches and apparitions deceived him with ambiguous messages.
The play ends with the thanes acknowledging Malcolm as Scotland’s new and lawful king.
Essay question example:
In the tragedy of Macbeth, the title character’s personality flaw is exposed, leading to a chain
of events that lead to his downfall. In your opinion, did Macbeth have control over his actions, of
was he a victim of fate? Also, at what point in the play is he beyond redemption? Explain your
answer, using examples from the play.
Possible answer:
Macbeth made choices of his own free will. His final chance to walk away was when he
reasons why he should not kill Duncan, and he most likely went beyond redemption when he
ordered Banquo killed, but definitely when he ordered the slaughter of Lady Macduff and the
children, along with clinging to the predictions of the witches, which he knows to be agents of
evil.