Name:
Date:
British Literature
Mr. Oswin
“Macbeth” Act I Study Guide
Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
You may attach more pages if you need more space.
1. What is the meaning of the lines “Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair”?
2. What event is occurring during scene 2? How is Macbeth characterized by the account
given by the Captain?
3. What title is Duncan planning to give Macbeth?
4. In scene iii we learn more about the witches. What kinds of characters are they? How do
we know?
5. What are the three prophecies the witches give for Macbeth and Banquo? (three for each
character)
6. How do Macbeth and Banquo each react to hearing their futures? (their reactions are
different)
7. What example of dramatic irony relating to Macbeth’s title is present in scene 3?
Name:
Date:
British Literature
Mr. Oswin
8. How is the Code of Honor illustrated by Duncan, Macbeth, and Banquo in scene 4?
9. Read Macbeth’s aside at the end of scene 4. How does he feel about the announcement
that Malcom will become Duncan’s official heir? Why does this news affect him so
much?
10. What is Lady Macbeth’s reaction to hearing the witches’ prophecies?
11. What advice does Lady Macbeth give to her husband regarding his “face”? What does
this have to do with Duncan’s arrival at Macbeth’s castle?
12. Lady Macbeth tells Duncan: “All our service, in every point twice done and then done
double”. What may these lines have to do with our expression “double-crosser”?
13. Is Macbeth sure about his decision regarding what to do about Duncan? What evidence
in scene 7 suggests this? What ultimately persuades him?
14. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both reveal how they feel about masculinity. According to
each, what does it mean to be “a man”?
15. What is the importance of Macbeth’s lines at the end of Act I?: “Mock the time with
fairest show. False face must hide what false heart doth know.”