Name: _______________________
Date: _______________________
Block #: _____
MACBETH
Study Guide
Line numbers refer to the parallel test 2nd edition, Perfection Learning Corporation.
Study guide courtesy of Mr. Dwight Wall.
Please answer these questions in complete sentences on a separate piece of paper.
It is always excellent proof of point to cite quotes from the play in your answers.
Act I
Scene 1
1. How would you stage this scene? What methods would you use to create thunder,
lightning, darkness, and fog? What other special effects would you include?
2. What tone and mood do the witches set at the start of the play?
3. At the end of the scene, the three witches say, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." What do
you think they mean? How do you think they should sound?
Scene 2
1. What information do you learn about Macbeth and what is your first impression of
him as you learn this information?
2. What relationship exists between King Duncan and Macbeth?
3. Macbeth enters the play indirectly -- we hear about him before we see him. Why do
you think Shakespeare introduces him this way?
Scene 3
1. How does Shakespeare use Macbeth's first words to emphasize an important theme in
this play?
2. Which of the two men is more greatly disturbed by the prophecies? Why? How do
you know?
3. After you meet Ross and Angus, who confirm Macbeth's succession as Thane of
Cawdor, do you note the same reaction in Macbeth and Banquo?
4. Quote Banquo's warning to Macbeth and write it in your own words (I,iii,120-126).
5. Quote one or two lines which reveal Macbeth's darker motives.
6. What more do you learn of Macbeth's character in this scene?
7. What is Macbeth's conclusion about his becoming king? Quote his words and rewrite
the idea in your own words.
8. What does Macbeth mean when he says: "my dull brain was wrought with things
forgotten" (I,iii,149-150)?
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Scene 4
1. Look at the lines that King Duncan says just before Macbeth enters this scene.
(I,iv,13-14) What idea do you think Shakespeare wants the audience to receive by
using these words as Macbeth's entrance cue?
2. When Duncan reveals that his son will succeed him, what do you think Macbeth is
thinking?
3. This scene is filled with courteous language. Who is sincere in his use of this
language? How do you know?
4. What judgments are you making about the name(s) you left out of your answer to the
previous question?
5. Macbeth's aside (I,iv,48-53) gives us a look into Macbeth's unspoken thoughts. In
your own words, rewrite the ideas in these lines.
Scene 5
1. We meet Lady Macbeth in this scene. What kind of person does she seem to be?
What lines indicate this to you?
2. What does this scene tell you about the relationship between Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth? Why do you think this?
3. Macbeth speaks only fifteen words in this scene. What does this scene do to develop
the characterization of Macbeth? What new ideas do you have about him? Why?
4. What do you think Lady Macbeth means by her last words in this scene: "Leave all
the rest to me"?
Scene 6
1. Why do you think Shakespeare gives this scene a daylight setting? What words and
phrases does Shakespeare use to emphasize this idea?
2. Why do you think Lady Macbeth alone greets Duncan?
3. What do Lady Macbeth's words and actions show about her character? What actions
do you "see" in this scene?
Scene 7
1. Macbeth's first soliloquy tells us what is really in his heart and mind. What
arguments does he consider as he decides whether to kill King Duncan? Cite actual
words and phrases.
2. What arguments does Lady Macbeth use as she attempts to change her husband's
mind? Cite actual words and phrases.
3. Look carefully at lines 59 and 60. What word would you stress in each line in order
to convey a strong idea? Why did you make these choices?
4. Think carefully about the last two lines of this scene and act. What ideas (lines) from
earlier scenes in this act do these words echo? Find at least three.
2
Name: _______________________
Date: _______________________
Block #: _____
MACBETH
Study Guide
Line numbers refer to the parallel test 2nd edition, Perfection Learning Corporation.
Study guide courtesy of Mr. Dwight Wall.
Please answer these questions in complete sentences on a separate piece of paper.
It is always excellent proof of point to cite quotes from the play in your answers.
Act II
Scene 1
1. Rewrite lines 8-10 in your own words and explain how they reflect Banquo's state of
mind.
2. Explain whether you think Banquo is or is not suspicious of Macbeth.
3. Look carefully at Macbeth's idea in lines 21-24. This is the third time Macbeth has
expressed this thought. What does he mean and when did he say this previously in
the play? What does this repetition show about him?
4. Explain how the three references to the dagger (lines 33, 38, 45) represent three steps
in the process that Macbeth takes toward murdering King Duncan.
5. How does Macbeth reveal to us, the audience, that he is aware of the complete
dreadfulness of what he is about to do?
Scene 2
1. The scene is filled with distractions. What noises do we hear? What accidents
change the plans of the murderers?
2. How do the noises affect Lady Macbeth? How do they affect Macbeth, himself?
3. What new information do we learn about Lady Macbeth's character in this scene?
How do we learn this?
4. How are each of the Macbeth's affected by the murder? How do we know?
5. Look through this scene and count the number of times Shakespeare uses the word
sleep and forms of the word. Why do you think he emphasizes this word so much?
(Keep this in mind for the rest of the play.)
6. The sound of knocking gets louder and louder as this scene ends. What dramatic
effect does this repeated sound create?
Scene 3
1. What dramatic techniques does Shakespeare use when he brings the porter into the
play at this time? Do you think these techniques are effective? Why?
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2. What is the meaning behind Lennox's report in lines 46-53? How should the actor
playing Macbeth sound when he replies in line 53? (Notice the double meaning in
these four words.)
3. Notice lines 98-99. How should Macbeth sound when he says these words? Why did
he kill the servants?
4. Which of the Macbeths in more fully in control in this scene? How do you know?
What does your answer mean to the development of the play?
5. Three consecutive asides (lines 111-118) occur between Malcolm and Donalbain.
What are the rest of the characters doing on stage during these lines?
6. Why do Malcolm and Donalbain leave the kingdom?
Scene 4
1. Make a list of the "unnatural" events that Ross and the Old Man talk about. What
does this list mean to Shakespeare's original audience? (Remember "The Great Chain
of Being.")
2. What indication(s) do you discover that Macbeth has not been completely successful
in carrying off the assassination?
3. What clue is given to possible opposition to Macbeth?
4
Name: _______________________
Date: _______________________
Block #: _____
MACBETH
Study Guide
Line numbers refer to the parallel test 2nd edition, Perfection Learning Corporation.
Study guide courtesy of Mr. Dwight Wall.
Please answer these questions in complete sentences on a separate piece of paper.
It is always excellent proof of point to cite quotes from the play in your answers.
Act III
Scene 1
1. Find one word in Banquo's opening speech (III,i,1-10) that lets us know that Banquo
suspect Macbeth of murder. What is that word?
2. Macbeth plays a detective game with Banquo (18-39). What does Macbeth want to
learn about Banquo?
3. Macbeth soliloquy (48-72) lets us know that Macbeth is very insecure about being
king. What threat is very real to him? How do we learn this from Macbeth's words?
Summarize Macbeth's thoughts about his insecurity.
4. How do we know that Macbeth has previously met with the hired murderers? Why
do you think he has hired these men?
5. What arguments does Macbeth give to the murderers that they should consider
Banquo their enemy?
6. In what major way has Macbeth's planning of Banquo's murder differed from his
planning of Duncan's? What does this mean?
Scene 2
1. In what way do Lady Macbeth's words (III, ii, 4-7) echo Macbeth's words in the
previous scene?
2. How does Shakespeare reveal a change in the relationship between Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth? Quote some lines that give you clues to this answer.
3. Look at line 44. What do you think the actor playing Lady Macbeth should do to let
this line make sense? What does this body language mean to the development of the
play?
4. What does Macbeth mean by his words in line 55: "Things bad begun make strong
themselves by ill."? What practical example can you think of that illustrates this idea.
Scene 3
1. This scene reads quickly, but it takes much longer to perform than to read. What
actions must happen in your imagination or on the stage so that the lines in this scene
make sense?
2. One of the great mysteries of this play is the identity of the third murderer. Who do
you think he is? What reasons do you have for your theory? (By any chance do you
think that Shakespeare made a mistake or did he know what he was doing?)
3. Are the witches' greetings in I, iii still alive?
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Scene 4
1. If your production of The Scottish Play has a big budget, how would you set the stage
for this scene. Draw a large rectangle to represent the stage and indicate what you
would use and where you would place everything you need for this scene.
2. Re-read lines 22-26. What information do these lines give us about recent
experiences in Macbeth's life? How do these lines relate to other events in this
scene?
4. In some productions, a ghost really appears on the stage. In others, the ghost exists
only in Macbeth's imagination. What decision would you make about the ghost?
Why?
5. How does Lady Macbeth explain her husband's behavior?
6. Look carefully at the words Lady Macbeth speaks to her husband. Why do they
resemble her words in I, vii.
7. Macbeth asks an important question (III, iv, 129-130). Write the question in your
own words. Why is it important? Do you recall another situation similar to this?
When he puts the two situations together, what might they mean to Macbeth?
8. What do lines 143-145 mean? What does this information indicate about the quality
of Scottish life during Macbeth's reign?
9. What questions do you think Macbeth will ask the "Weird Sisters?"
10. At the end of this scene both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth talk about sleep. How does
the word sleep remind the audience of something that happened earlier in the play?
What do you think Shakespeare is suggesting by using the word sleep often in the
play?
Scene 5
1. What acts of folly does Hecate say Macbeth will commit?
2. Interpret her comment: "Security is mortals' chiefest enemy." (lines 33-34) Do you
agree with this idea?
3. Identify the exact lines in Hecate's speech that match the following parts of her
meaning: (1) reasons for anger; (2) self-centered Macbeth; (3) meet tomorrow with
spells; (4) I'm off to collect moon-vapor for magic to ruin Macbeth; (5) Macbeth's
future; (6) My spirit calls)
Scene 6
1. In the middle of the play, Shakespeare uses this scene to highlight the important
events; but he has another more important reason for this short scene. He shows us
how Macbeth's tyranny has made people very cautious, even in the way they speak.
Cite at least three examples from this scene in which either Lennox or the other Lord
choose their words very carefully because each might not be able to trust the other.
2. We also learn about Malcolm, an important person who has been missing from the
play for a while. By connecting Malcolm and Macduff, how does Shakespeare help
you to predict some possibilities for the rest of the play?
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Name: _______________________
Block #: _____
MACBETH
Study Guide
Line numbers refer to the parallel test 2nd edition, Perfection Learning Corporation.
Study guide courtesy of Mr. Dwight Wall.
Please answer these questions in complete sentences on a separate piece of paper.
It is always excellent proof of point to cite quotes from the play in your answers.
Act IV
Scene 1
1. How does Shakespeare show that Macbeth is completely reckless as he attempts to
find out what the future has in store for him? (IV, i, 50-61) What contrast to
Macbeth's earlier personality does this behavior show?
2. Notice how the apparitions follow a pattern found in the witches' original greetings:
the first confirms what Macbeth already knows; the rest set him up for overconfidence. What characteristic of human nature does Shakespeare dramatize here?
3. Look at the note for line 121. What do you think King James I of English (formerly
James VI of Scotland) thought when he saw his lineage portrayed on the stage like
this?
4. Can you give any reason why Lennox happens to be here at this time? Several
theories are possible. Write them down.
5. What resolution (lines146-178) does Macbeth make as his new method of operation?
Scene 2
1. Lady Macduff is angry that her husband left for English without his family. Do you
agree with her reasoning? Were Macduff's reasons for leaving the castle sufficient?
What is more important: loyalty to family or loyalty to country?
2. What emotions does this scene evoke in the audience? Why does Shakespeare
develop this emotion at this time in the play?
Scene 3
1. Explain the test that Malcolm gives to Macduff. Is this test a good idea? What does
Malcolm do this? How do you know whether Macduff passes the test? (Quote the
lines that tell you.)
2. Malcolm lists the qualities that a good king should have. (IV, iii, 91-100) Do you
agree with him? Does every leader need all of these qualities? Can any of them be
omitted from a good leader? Does Malcolm omit any from his self-evaluation? (IV,
iii, 114-137)
3. How does Shakespeare suggest a major contrast between King Edward and King
Macbeth? Is this contrast important to the play?
4. Look at lines 221-223. How do they remind you of a conversation in an earlier part
of the play? What special meaning do these lines have that the earlier conversation
did not have?
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Name: _______________________
Date: _______________________
Block #: _____
MACBETH
Study Guide
Line numbers refer to the parallel test 2nd edition, Perfection Learning Corporation.
Study guide courtesy of Mr. Dwight Wall.
Please answer these questions in complete sentences on a separate piece of paper.
It is always excellent proof of point to cite quotes from the play in your answers.
Act V
Scene 1
5. Although the doctor does not understand what Lady Macbeth says, we do. To what
events earlier in the play do Lady Macbeth's words refer? Write the words from this
scene and then refer to the earlier events that match.
6. What do you think is on the paper that Lady Macbeth reads in this scene?
7. How do the doctor and the lady-in-waiting help Shakespeare communicate this scene
to the audience? Why did he choose not to let Lady Macbeth appear by herself?
8. What feelings do you have toward Lady Macbeth after you have thought about this
scene?
Scene 2
1. How does this scene begin to fulfill one of the witches' prophecies?
2. According to his enemies, to what extreme does Macbeth control his subjects?
3. What is the relationship between Macbeth and his army?
9. Can you think of anyone who should remain loyal to Macbeth?
Scene 3
1. What attitude does Macbeth communicate at the beginning of this scene? What
words tell you this?
2. Look carefully at lines 19-28. How old do you think Macbeth might be in this scene?
How much time do you think has elapsed since the beginning of the play? Explain
how you arrive at these speculations?
3. What feelings do you have toward Macbeth after you have thought about this scene?
4. Upon what does Macbeth pin his hope for victory over the opposing forces? What
does this hope show about his state of mind?
Scenes 4, 5 and 6
1. How does Birnam Wood move toward Dunsinane Hill?
2. Contrast the attitude of the soldiers in the English army with that of Macbeth'
soldiers. What words tell you about the differences?
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3. In a famous speech (V, v, 19-28), Macbeth describes what he thinks about life.
Summarize his ideas.
4. Immediately after he hears about his wife's death, Macbeth learns that Birnam Wood
is indeed moving up Dunsinane Hill. What is Macbeth's reaction to this news.
5. What do Macduff's words (V,vi,9-10) mean?
Scene 7
1. Study line 9. How would you say these words? Why?
2. What is Shakespeare showing in this scene? Why don't Macbeth and Macduff fight
at once?
Scene 8
1. What part of his personality has Macbeth kept throughout the play and into this
scene? How do you know?
2. Look at lines 22 and 27. What do they show about Macbeth at this time in his life?
3. The sword fight between Macbeth and Macduff is the highlight of this scene. How
long (in time) do you think the fight should last on stage? Why?
4. How would you follow the stage directions between lines 53 and 54?
5. As usual, order must be restored at the end of a tragedy. How do the words of
Malcolm re-establish order?
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