Macbeth Act One homework questions – Answer in complete sentences for full credit
Roman Numerals
I – One; V – Five; X - Ten
Act I, Scene I
1. What characters appear in this scene?
2. Where are the going?
Commentary
1. What theme of the play does the opening scene establish?
2. What did the inhabitants of Early Modern England believe about witches?
Act I, Scene II
1. List the characters in this scene with a description of who they are or what they do
(does not have to be in complete sentences)
2. What news does the Sergeant report?
3. Who do we learn has betrayed Duncan?
4. What honor does Duncan say he will bestow on Macbeth?
Commentary
1. If the first scene of the play represents disorder, what is the second scene
seemingly representing?
2. How does Shakespeare represent in the first scene?
3. Macbeth is Duncan’s cousin. Through the rule of primogeniture, how would
Macbeth have a claim to the throne?
4. In a warrior society, how were advancements and promotions won?
Act I, Scene III
1. Where has the First Witch been and what is she going to do?
2. What characters enter for the first time?
3. What three things do the witches say to Macbeth?
4. How does Banquo react to these predictions?
5. What do the witches then tell Banquo?
6. What news does Ross arrive with?
7. What does Macbeth say in his aside on page 25 line 131-143?
Commentary
1. Who are the “goddesses of destiny”?
2. How is the physical location of the scene (between the battle and the capital court)
symbolic?
3. How does Macbeth react to the prophecy? How does the reader know he reacts
this way?
4. What is the significance of the phrase “imperial theme”?
Act I, Scene IV
1. What does Malcolm say about the execution of the former thane of Cawdor?
2. How does Macbeth speak to the king? What does he say to him?
3. How does Duncan react to Banquo? What does he do?
4. What news does Duncan share about Malcolm?
5. How does Macbeth react to this news?
6. Where are they all going when the Scene ends?
Commentary
1. Explain the “gardener” metaphor that the king makes.
2. What is the significance of Macbeth asking the stars not to shine on his “black
and deep desire”?
Act I, Scene V
1. How does this scene open?
2. How does Lady Macbeth react to this news?
3. What does she fear?
4. What is Lady Macbeth’s reaction to the news that the king is coming to stay in her
castle?
5. What does Lady Macbeth’s speech on page 29 seem to indicate that she wants to
do?
Commentary
1. What is the significance of the famous “unsex me here” speech?
2. How does Macbeth react to his wife’s preparations for the murder of Duncan?
Act I, Scene VI
1. How does Duncan feel about the castle when he first arrives?
2. How does Lady Macbeth greet Duncan and his men?
3. Where is Macbeth during this scene?
Commentary
1. How does Lady Macbeth come off as sinister in this scene?
Act I, Scene VII
1. When the scene opens, what is Macbeth doing?
2. What is the “double trust” Duncan has placed in him?
3. What is Macbeth’s reaction when his wife comes looking for him? What has he
changed his mind about?
4. How does Lady Macbeth react to the news that her husband has changed his
mind?
5. Lady Macbeth outlines the plan to kill Duncan. What is it? Be Specific!
Commentary
1. What are the possible outcomes of regicide, according to Macbeth?
2. What does catus amat pisces sed non vult tingere plantas mean?
3. How does Macbeth begin his tragic fall in this scene?