ELA B10
Macbeth
William Shakespeare
Macbeth tells the story of a heroic man in early 11th century Scotland. The
man finds himself caught up in a tale filled with battles, witches and ghosts (not
to mention a greedy wife), and a great deal of blood is shed. In fact, Macbeth is
the bloodiest of all of Shakespeare’s plays. It is also his shortest play. As you
read the story, try to decide if Macbeth is a good man or not, and think about
what makes a man good or evil. As well, think about the concept of ambition. Is
it wrong or dangerous to have too much ambition?
Questions
Act I, Scenes i-ii
1. It is important that the mood is set in the opening scene of a play. What mood is set
at the beginning of Macbeth? Name three ways this mood is set.
2. Identify the setting of the play: the time, the place, and the situation.
3. Some readers say that “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” is the theme of the play. What
does the line mean? Make a guess as to why the witches are meeting and discussing
Macbeth.
4. According to the soldier, what two forces did Macbeth and Banquo’s men just defeat
on the battlefields? What does this tell the audience about Macbeth?
5. What did the Thane of Cawdor do? How does this affect our protagonist, Macbeth?
Scenes iii-iv
1. This is the second time we see the witches. What are they like?
2. Quote the first words that Macbeth speaks. How are his words significant?
3. When the witches greet Macbeth, they show that they know what is going on, and
they make a prediction. Explain.
4. Next, they prophecy three things for Banquo. What three things?
5. Ross and Angus bring Macbeth and Banquo some news, and the two men receive the
news in different ways. Explain.
6. King Duncan warmly welcomes the two men, and he shows them his gratitude. Yet,
he does not name Macbeth the successor to his throne. Who does he name and how
does Macbeth react to this news?
7. What does Duncan think of Macbeth? Is Duncan a good judge of character? How do
we know?
Scenes v-vii
1. After reading Macbeth’s letter to her, Lady Macbeth says of her husband, “I fear thy
nature; / It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness / To catch the nearest way.”
What does she mean? What does this line tell us about her?
2. As you know, when a character gives a soliloquy, he/she reveals his/her true self.
What does Lady Macbeth reveal about herself in her soliloquy?
3. As the Macbeths await a visit from King Duncan, one of them begins to hatch a plan.
Which one and what is the plan?
4. How do King Duncan and Banquo interpret the mood of Macbeth’s home? What
word describes their interpretations?
5. Macbeth is hosting a banquet in celebration of Scotland’s victories. However, he
rudely leaves the banquet to think about the task his wife has given him: killing the
king. Name three of Macbeth’s reasons not to commit the murder.
6. In what ways does Lady Macbeth convince Macbeth to commit the crime?
Act II, Scenes i - ii
1. Why would Shakespeare include the brief scene with Macbeth and Banquo? What
does it tell us about each man?
2. Quote the rhyming couplet that ends scene i.
3. Describe the murder of King Duncan and the reactions of Macbeth and his wife.
Scenes iii – iv
1. Why would Shakespeare include the Porter scene, just after the serious murder scene?
2. What was the weather like, through the night, according to Lennox? Define the term
“pathetic fallacy”.
3. Who is first blamed for the murder of Duncan? How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
cleverly plan this?
4. Who are Malcolm and Donalbain? Where do they plan to go and why?
5. According to the old man and Ross, what two other strange occurrences came in the
night?
6. What is made of the fact that the princes have fled Scotland?
7. Quote the old man’s conclusion to Act II.
Themes in Macbeth: On a new page in your binder, begin a chart of the
following themes. Think back on Acts I and II and write down anything that
fits under each theme. As we continue our study, add to your chart.
#1 Loyalty
#2 Appearance/Reality
Ex: Macbeth – He is loyal to
his wife, but was disloyal
to his king.
Act III, Scenes i-iii
1. Why does Banquo have reason to suspect Macbeth is evil?
2. Why has Macbeth become suspicious of and threatened by his friend, Banquo? What
three questions does he ask Banquo?
3. How does Macbeth seem to be doing, a few weeks into his reign? What does he
mean by, “O, full of scorpions is my mind”?
4. Compare and contrast the plan to kill Duncan with the plan to kill Banquo.
5. Quote the couplet at the end of scene ii. What does it mean?
6. Briefly describe the assassination attempt on Banquo and Fleance. Guess the identity
of the third murderer.
Scenes iv-vi
1. What happens when Macbeth insincerely wishes aloud that Banquo could have made
it to his banquet? How does Macbeth react to what happens?
2. What happens the second time Macbeth wishes for Banquo’s presence? What does
this tell us about Macbeth’s character?
3. After the banquet, Macbeth tells his wife he has yet another enemy. Who? What
does Macbeth plan to do next?
4. Quote Lady Macbeth’s explanation for her husband’s odd behavior.
5. Who is Hecate and why is she angry?
6. Lennox and a Lord have a brief conversation that summarizes the chaos occurring in
Scotland. In point form, what information is given in their summary?
Act IV, Scenes i-ii
1. Update your themes chart.
2. As the witches prepare an evil brew, they repeat a chant. Quote it.
3. How has Macbeth’s relationship with the witches changed from the beginning of the
play? What does this tell us about our protagonist?
4. List the three apparitions and their messages to Macbeth.
5. The fourth apparition is of eight kings. Who are these men and what effect do they
have upon Macbeth?
6. What news does Lennox bring Macbeth? What does Macbeth mean by, “from this
moment, / The very firstlings of my heart shall be / The firstlings of my hand.”?
7. What becomes of Macduff’s family? What were Lady Macduff and her son
discussing, prior to their demise?
Scenes iii-iv
1. Macduff arrives in England and explains to Prince Malcolm that he wishes to join
him in an invasion of Scotland. Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty for awhile, then he
accepts Macduff as an honest, faithful Scotsman. Malcolm then states that he already
has an English army prepared. How big is the army?
2. Edward the Confessor was King of England at the time. Who was Siward, though?
3. Ross arrives in England, as well. What does he eventually tell Macduff regarding
Macduff’s family? How does Macduff react?
4. Macduff calls on Macbeth in hand-to-hand combat. Quote the lines.
5. Until a century ago or so, people were taught to be loyal to their leader (king). Name
three things a leader might do that would justify rebelling against him/her.
6. Consider dating and friendships. Do you know people who stick by their boyfriend
or girlfriend when it’s not healthy? Why do we do this?
Act V, Scenes i-iv
1. What’s happening with Lady Macbeth? What does she mean by, “Out, damned
spot!”?
2. By this point, most of Macbeth’s men have abandoned him. Make a list of the
characters on each side of the war:
Malcolm & Macduff
vs.
Macbeth
3. On p.223, Macbeth lists some things he will not be able to enjoy in old age. These
are things he had when the play began. Name these things.
4. How concerned is Macbeth about his ill wife? What’s troubling him even more?
5. The Scottish and English forces meet at Birnam Wood. What does Malcolm order
the men to do?
Scenes v-ix
1. As Macbeth is about to face the great army fighting against him, he hears two pieces
of bad news. What’s the first piece of news? Quote the 10 lines he sadly remarks,
starting with “To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow.”
2. What’s the second piece of bad news? How does Macbeth take this news?
3. On the battlefield, Macbeth is becoming desperate. Yet, he clings to the hope of the
third prophecy. Whom does Macbeth slay?
4. At a point of high emotion, Macduff and Macbeth fight each other. Quote Macbeth’s
final words.
5. Who wins the war? Who becomes king?
6. Update your themes chart one last time.
In Shakespeare’s tragedies, the protagonist is brought down because
of a “tragic flaw”. What was Macbeth’s tragic flaw?