Macbeth
STUDY GUIDE – ACT I
UNDERSTANDING THE PLAY
SCENE 1
1. The opening scene establishes an atmosphere of foreboding. What does the riddle “Fair is foul,
and foul is fair” hint about coming events?
A difference between outer appearances and inner feelings or the emergence of paradox, dilemma,
and ambiguity in events.
SCENE 2
2. In Scene 2, the Sergeant recounts Macbeth’s actions in battle.
a. What images does he associate with Macbeth?
Steam rising from a sword covered with hot blood and a slave’s head mounted on the
battlements.
b. From the Sergeant’s description, how would you characterize Macbeth?
As a strong and ruthless warrior who does not shrink from the bloodiest of deeds or from
danger.
SCENES 3 AND 4
3. During Scene 3, what prophesies do the witches make for Macbeth and Banquo?
The witches predict that Macbeth will be king and that Banquo will father kings.
4. When Macbeth enters in Scene 3, why dos he say “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”?
The day is foul because it is rainy; it is fair because Macbeth’s side has won the battle.
5. Before Macbeth returns home, what indications are there that he already has some evil purpose in
mind?
He readily believes the witches’ prophesy; in Scene 3, he contemplates “horrible imaginings” and
thoughts of “murder” that would put him in possession of the throne; in Scene 4, he asks the stars to
withhold their light so that no one will see his “black and deep desires.”
SCENE 5
6. When Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth’s letter in Scene 5, her reactions to the letter show that she is
eager for her husband to be king. What are her criticisms of Macbeth?
She feels that he is “too full o’ the milk of human kindness,” that he lacks the necessary wickedness,
and that he is a coward.
7. How do Lady Macbeth’s speeches characterize her?
Lady Macbeth is a ruthlessly ambitious woman who is perfectly willing to kill a good and defenseless
man; in addition, she is impatient with her husband for even considering any other course of action.
SCENE 6
8. How does Lady Macbeth greet her guests in Scene 6?
She greets her guests with extravagant courtesy.
9. With “double trust” (Scene 7, line 12) Duncan comes to Macbeth’s house. Name three
relationships that bind Duncan and Macbeth.
Macbeth is a kinsman of Duncan’s, Macbeth is Duncan’s subject, and Macbeth is Duncan’s host.
10. In Scene 7, Macbeth is on the verge of giving up his pan to murder Duncan. How does Lady
Macbeth encourage him?
She tells him that he has lost his hope, that he is a coward who has no daring, and that he promisd
her and must keep his promise.
RESPONDING TO LITERATURE
11. Check the glossary’s definition of the word “mettle.” Use your understanding of the word to
explain what Macbeth means when he says of Lady Macbeth (Scene 7, lines 73-74) “thy undaunted
mettle should compose/Nothing but males.”
Macbeth is saying that Lady Macbeth should have only male children, for her fearless courage would
be unseemly in a girl.
12. Explain Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s plan to murder Duncan.
Duncan will be tired from his long journey and will sleep soundly. While he sleeps, Lady Macbeth will
get Duncan’s two chamberlains drunk. Then, when the chamberlains have passed out, Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth will frame the two chamberlains by smearing blood on them and killing Duncan with
the chamberlains’ daggers.