Macbeth Study Guide
Act I
Scene 1
1.The opening scene establishes an
atmosphere of foreboding. What does
the line “fair is foul, and foul is fair” hint
at coming events? Things may be good
such as winning a war, but things aren’t
so good like witches predicting the
future. Witches are typically evil. Things
are in disarray.
Scene 2
2.Scotland is at war with Norway. King
Duncan learns of Macbeth’s
accomplishments. What has he done thus
far that indicates he can be a gruesome
man? Macbeth has unseamed the evil
Macdonwald from the nave to the chaps
(belly button to neck) and cut off his
head. What is his accomplishment?
Macbeth has helped Scotland defeat
Norway.
3.To whom is Duncan referring when he
says, “They smack of honor both.”
Macbeth and Banquo
4.Who is the prominent yet disloyal traitor
to Scotland? The Thane of Cawdor
5.What reward will Duncan give Macbeth
and why? He will name Macbeth the
new Thane of Cawdor for his help in
defeating Norway.
Scene 3
1. Why is the first witch mad? She is
mad, because a woman wouldn’t give
her any chestnuts. What punishment
does she inflict and on whom? She
sends a storm (tempest) and hurts the
woman’s husband while he is at sea.
What trophy does she show her
sisters? A sailor’s thumb-it’s most
likely the woman’s husband’s thumb.
2. What prophecies do the witches share
with Macbeth and Banquo? Macbeth is
Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor,
and King; Banquo won’t be a king but
his heirs will be kings.
3. Which prophecy does Macbeth say is
already correct? Thane of Glamis
4. What news does Macbeth learn from
Ross? He will be the new Thane of
Cawdor.
5. When Banquo reacts by saying “Can
the Devil speak true?” To whom or
what is he referring? He is referring to
the witches and their prophecies.
6. In his asides to the audience, what can
we gather that Macbeth is
contemplating? He is thinking about
the fastest way to become king - which
is killing King Duncan.
7. Who notices that Macbeth may have
sinister thoughts? Banquo
8. What kind of truths does Banquo say
instruments of darkness tell us? They
tell us truths to win us to our harmthey tell us things that lead us to do
evil. To whom is he referring? The
witches. He thinks the witches’ truths
may lead Macbeth to do bad things in
order to become King of Scotland.
Scene 4
1. Who does Duncan name as his
successor to his throne? His elder son
Malcolm.
2. What does Macbeth have to say about
that? He says that is a person he must
bow down to or leap over-meaning get
rid of Malcolm along with King
Duncan.
3. To whose home is Duncan going?
Macbeth’s castle. What is the name of
the estate? Inverness Castle
4. Why does Macbeth want the stars to
hide their fires? So they won’t see that
he is thinking about killing King
Duncan.
Scene 5
1.What does Lady Macbeth receive and
what is she learning from it? She
receives a letter from Macbeth
describing the witches’ visit and
prophecies about Macbeth becoming
Thane of Glamis, Cawdor, and king.
Cawdor has just come true and Glamis
was already true.
2.What does she want for her husband?
She wants him to seek the nearest way to
the kingship-killing King Duncan. What
is her criticism of Macbeth? He is too
full of the milk of human kindness.
3.To whom and what is she referring when
she says “Oh, never shall the sun that
morrow see?” She is speaking about
King Duncan and how he will be
murdered the first night he stays at
Inverness Castle.
4.What is she implying when she says to
Macbeth “Your face…is a book where
men may read strange matters?”
Macbeth has a guilty look on his face
about killing King Duncan.
Scenes 6 and 7
1. How does Lady Macbeth present
herself as a hostess? She is an
excellent and gracious hostess. How
does Duncan seem to feel about being
in her home? He thinks she is a great
hostess and Inverness Castle is a great
place to visit.
2. What three relationships does Macbeth
share with Duncan at this time?
Kinsman (cousin), subject, host.
3. Who is running the show in the
Macbeth household? Lady Macbeth
What is this person encouraging the
other to do? Lady Macbeth is
encouraging (demanding) her husband
to kill King Duncan.
4. What is said of Macbeth if he doesn’t
follow through with the plan? He is a
coward.
5. What does Macbeth mean when he
tells his wife he hopes she brings forth
men children only? He doesn’t think
Lady Macbeth has any feminine and
maternal qualities to pass on to a
daughter. She has no sugar and spice
and everything nice that little girls
have. She has rats and snails and
puppy dog tails that little boys have.