ENG 3UI
Macbeth
Macbeth Scene Study Questions
Act 1
Record your answers on a separate sheet of line paper.
1) Who do the witches plan to meet with at the beginning of the act?
2) What predictions do the three witches make for Macbeth after the battle?
3) What does the Captain report that Macbeth has done to receive the new title
“Thane of Cawdor?”
4) What news is brought to Macbeth and Banquo?
5) What happened to the original Thane of Cawdor and why did he lose his title?
6) What is the significance of Lady Macbeth's "unsex me" scene? How does this
scene develop the course theme, role of women?
7) What does Lady Macbeth scheme to do to the King?
8) Why does the King come to Macbeth's castle?
9) Which line demonstrates Lady Macbeth’s certainty that their murderous plot
cannot fail?
10) What is the significance of this line to act one? “If it were done when ‘tis done, then
twere well/ It were done quickly…” (1.7)
Themes to consider in Act One
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Nature
Light vs. Dark
the Paradox
Role of Women
Power
Macbeth Scene Study Questions
ENG 3UI
Macbeth
Act 2
Record your answers on a separate sheet of lined paper.
1) What is the meaning of Macbeth’s soliloquy?
2) How does Macbeth feel after he commits murder? How does this affect Lady
Macbeth?
3) Explain the significance of this quotation:
I’ll go no more:
I am afraid to think what I have done;
Look on ’t again I dare not. (2.2.51)
4) What is the significance of the knocking? What does Macbeth wish it would do?
5) Who finds Duncan murdered in his room?
6) What does Macbeth do in reaction to his supposed discovery of Duncan’s death?
7) Lady Macbeth faints at the news of Duncan’s death. Explain the irony of this
situation.
Themes to consider in Act Two
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Power
Blindness
Influence
Decision Making
Suffering
Light vs. Dark
ENG 3UI
Macbeth
Macbeth Scene Study Questions
Act 4
Record your answers on a separate sheet of lined paper.
1) What are the witches doing at the beginning of this act? Why are they important to this
scene?
2) What three things does Macbeth learn from the witches and apparitions and how does
he react to them?
3) How does Macbeth react to Macduff's departure?
4) How does Macduff react to the news that his family has been slaughtered?
5) What action is taken by Macduff and Malcolm?
Themes to consider in Act Four
Find a quotation (with citation) for 3 of the following themes:
 Power
 Betrayal
 Blindness
 Decision Making
 Suffering
 Light vs. Dark
 Influence
 Revenge