Important Speeches/Lines
Lady Macbeth’s “Out, damned spot!”, Act V Scene 1
Macbeth’s “Tomorrow” monologue, Act V Scene 5
Scene 1
1. Why has a doctor come to see Lady Macbeth?
2. What is she trying to do to her hands?
3. What events does Lady Macbeth allude to in her dream state?
4. What does this scene reveal about Lady Macbeth’s mental state?
Scene 2
5. Whose army are these lords going to join?
6. Where are they going to meet them?
7. What metaphor does Angus use to explain the way Macbeth “feels his
title”?
8. What does this scene reveal about Macbeth’s mental state?
Scene 3
9. Where is this scene set?
10. What evidence do we have here of Macbeth’s overconfidence?
11. What things does Macbeth say should “accompany old age”?
12. Describe Macbeth’s behavior in this scene. What does it show about his
mental state?
Scene 4
13. What plan does Malcolm reveal for sneaking up on the castle?
Scene 5
14. Who dies offstage at the beginning of this scene?
15. List three metaphors for life that Macbeth uses in his “tomorrow” speech.
16. What do these metaphors reveal about Macbeth’s feelings about his life?
17. What does the messenger report that he has seen?
18. How does Macbeth respond to this news?
Scene 7
19. Why has Macbeth started to wonder who might be “not of woman born”?
20. Why do you think Macduff will not fight anyone except Macbeth?
Scene 8
21. How is it that Macduff was not “of woman born”?
22. What is your assessment of Macbeth’s resolve to keep fighting, even
though he sees it will end in defeat?
23. What does Malcolm call Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in lines 68-9?
Final Analysis: Now that the play is over, please respond AT LENGTH about
it. Did you like the play? Do you think that it ended fairly, or did you feel
sorry for Macbeth? Did you like Malcolm and Macduff? Who is the “hero”
of the play, or is there one?
The Play as a Whole
Consider the following questions about the play as a whole. One or two of them
will be used on your test as an essay question.
24. Examine the theme of sleep and sleeplessness in the play. Find places in
the play that reference sleep or disturbed sleep. How does
Shakespeare use this theme?
II.
Analyze the character of Macbeth. Was he a tragic hero or a villain?
Was he a static or dynamic character? Do you have sympathy for him,
or do you feel he got his just desserts?
III.
Analyze the character of Lady Macbeth. Do you pity her? Do you feel
that she met a fitting end?
IV.
Explain the metaphors for life found in Macbeth’s “tomorrow” speech.
Which do you find the most fitting?