Macbeth Study Guide
Name_______________________Date________________Per.____
THIS PACKET DUE: _______
Act I, scene i
1.
What is the rhyme scheme of this scene? Why does Shakespeare use this scheme?
________________________________________________________________________
2.
NOTE: One of the most important ideas that runs through the entire play is established in next-tolast line. Write down the line and memorize it. What does the line mean?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3.
a.
b.
c.
What color is associated with the witches?_______________
What does this color symbolize as an archetype?__________, __________, _________
Because of Shakespeare’s use of this color, are we to assume the witches’ statements will
be good, or evil? Why? ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
scene ii
1.
There are great battles going on.
What is the report that the sergeant brings?
____________________________________________________________________________________
2.
What 3 adjectives describe Macbeth in these passages?___________, ____________, __________
3.
As the sergeant reports another assault, he begins the animal imagery that is to be so important
throughout the play. Tell the animals MacBeth and Banquo are associated with.
____________________________________________________________________________________
4.
a.
After Ross brings news of a great victory, Duncan condemns the Thane of Cawdor.
What did the Thane of Cawdor do that he should deserve death?____________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
b.
To whom does Duncan now give the title “Thane of Cawdor”?_____________________
scene iii
1. a. What is the line that Macbeth speaks upon entering, that reflects the same idea that was
established in scene 1? “_________________________________________________.”
Natural Order note: One of the main tenets (view, or belief) that Elizabethans had was that all things in the
universe had appointed forms and functions. Further, they believed that if one element was out of order,
other portions of the universe might reflect this disorder. In this scene, we see a clear indication that the
witches are to be associated with disorder.
b. What characteristics are there about the witches that are especially unnatural?
_________________________________________________________________________
2.
How do the witches address Macbeth?______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3.
What can we guess from Macbeth’s startled reaction to the witches’ prophecy?
__________________________________________________________________________
4.
The single most important image in the play is initiated in this speech by Banquo. It is called
“the harvest image”. Quote the 3 lines where he first establishes this image. _________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
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5.
What is the prophecy that the witches give to Banquo? __________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
6.
What is the news that Ross and Angus bring? __________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
7.
Another important image is established regarding clothing. What is the image? _________
_______________________________________________________________________________
8.
What does Macbeth reveal about his ambitions in the “aside”? ____________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
There is one further use of the image of the “borrowed clothing” in this scene. Give the
quote and the line numbers where the image appears.____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
scene 4 (iv)
9.
1.
2.
What does Duncan mean when he says, “I have begun to plant thee and will labor to make thee
full of growing? _________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
What does Duncan promise Banquo? ________________________________________________
3.
How does Banquo use the harvest image in this scene? _______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
4.
5.
What title does Duncan settle on Malcolm, his son? _____________________________________
a. How does Macbeth react to this?__________________________________________________
b.
6.
We see a very clear image in this scene: Light versus Dark. It is used to express an idea
that was started earlier-- Appearance vs. reality (Fair is foul, and foul is fair….)
The very last line, “It is a peerless kinsman” spoken about Macbeth by Duncan, is an example of
irony. Why is this line ironic? (2 reasons) ____________________________________________
Who is truly the better man? _______________
scene 5 (v)
1.
2.
a. What verse form is used as Lady Macbeth reads the letter aloud? _____________________
b. Why does Shakespeare use this form? _____________________________________________
2.
Lady Macbeth gives an insight into her husband’s character. In a sentence or two, give her view
of what kind of man he is at this point in the play. ______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3.
a. When Lady Macbeth learns that Duncan is coming to their castle, she appears to resolve
herself to a steady course of action. What is it? _______________________________________
b. In her speech, we find at least 2 ideas that have appeared before. What are they? ________
_______________________________________________________________________________
c.
What images are used?______________________________________________________
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4.
Near the end of the scene, Lady Macbeth gives her husband some advice. Paraphrase her advice
here: _____________________What idea does the advice relate to? (see above, scene 4, question
5b)____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
scene 6 (vi)
Lady Macbeth has spoken of the “raven…that croaks that fatal entrance of Duncan”.
Ironically, what do Banquo and Duncan remark as they come to the palace? __________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
scene 7 (vii)
1.
1.
a. In the opening soliloquy, we see Macbeth’s misgivings (doubts). What are 3 arguments he
gives against killing Duncan? i)_______________________, ii.) ________________________,
iii.) _______________________________ Another phrase for doubts or misgivings: __________
b. Why does he hesitate in committing himself to doing the crime? Is it morality or expediency?
_______________________________________________________________________________
c. What does he identify as his own motive? “ ________________________________.”
2.
Macbeth uses the borrowed robes image. What does this passage mean? ______________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3.
His wife, in her desire to spur her husband on to action, says that she would bash out the brains of
her nursing child rather than break an oath, as Macbeth is doing. To what Elizabethan idea does
this relate? (see above, scene iii, Natural Order note on page 1) ___________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
4.
What is their plan for the guards? ___________________________________________________
5.
What rhyme scheme appears at the very end of this scene? __________________ Of what idea is
Shakespeare reminding the audience ? ________________________________________________
Act II, scene i
1.
What is Banquo’s attitude when Macbeth asks that they spend some time in talk about the
prophecies? ____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
2.
What is it that Macbeth thinks he sees (vision)?________________________________________
3.
What state of mind does this apparition suggest ?_______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4.
What device does Shakespeare employ both at the end of the soliloquy and at the end of the scene?
______________________________________________________________________________
Act II, scene ii
1.
What surprising scruple does Lady Macbeth reveal at the beginning of the scene? ____________
______________________________________________________________________________
Definition of “scruple”: ___________________________________________________________
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2.
Macbeth does commit the murder, but he is quite undone (mentally shaken up) afterward. List 6
things that show his precarious mental condition. i. _______________ii. _______________
iii.______________ iv. ___________________ v. ________________ vi. __________________
3.
Lady Macbeth, at this point, seems to be very much in control. What does she mean when
she says, “A little water clears us of this deed” ? ________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(NOTE: This line later proves ironic. Remember who said it, and under what circumstances.)
Act II, scene iii
1.
NOTE: The porter and his drunken discourse are examples of comic relief. Comic relief is just
that—relief from the tension of a very dramatic scene that is provided by some comedy.
2.
Lennox reports a night of terrible events. According to the Elizabethans, why has
nature been so disordered this night?_________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3.
Do you think Lady Macbeth actually faints? _____ Why or why not? ______________________
4.
How does Macbeth use the garment image? ______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Act II, scene 4
1.
a.
At the beginning of this scene, the Old Man and Ross are discussing some of the
unnatural events of the night. List three of these dreadful incidents: i) _____________________,
ii) _____________________________, iii) _________________________________.
b. Duncan’s sons are now under suspicion of patricide. Why? ________________________
The act of killing a parent is: _____________
The act of killing one’s father: ____________
2.
a.
b.
Who uses the garment image at the end of the scene? __________
Give the quote here: “____________________________________________________ .”
Give the meaning of the quote: ______________________________________________
What is suggested by the fact that MacDuff doesn’t attend Macbeth’s coronation?
______________________________________________________________________________
Act III, scene i
3.
1.
Quote the line that shows most clearly that Banquo has some suspicion about the fulfillment of the
prophecy. ______________________________________________________________________
2.
3.
Why is Macbeth inquiring so closely about Banquo’s ride? _______________________________
Why does Macbeth say, “Our fear in Banquo/Stick deep…”? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4.
In this same passage, how does that harvest image appear? ____________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Macbeth has apparently met with the murderers previously. What was the gist of their earlier
conversation? ___________________________________________________________________
5.
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6.
What device concludes the scene? _____________________________________________
Act III, scene ii
1.
Lady Macbeth speaks in couplets, which is a device that we have seen to mark significant
passages. The significance here is probably her frame of mind. What change do we see in her?
_______________________________________________________________________________
2.
In the ensuing (that which follows) exchange between Macbeth and his lady, how do we see that
they have exchanged positions mentally? _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3.
4.
What image does Macbeth use to conclude his speech? ______________________
What recurrent idea does he express through this image? _________also,
and
Act III, scene 4
1.
How is Macbeth’s comment ironic? ________________________________________________
2.
a. What excuse does Lady Macbeth give for Macbeth’s behavior? _________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
b. What is it that she thinks is bothering Macbeth? _____________________________________
3.
Why does Shakespeare have Macbeth speak about unnatural events? _____________
_______________________________________________________________________________
4.
What is foreshadowed by Macbeth’s inquiry (question)? _________________________________
5.
What is foreshadowed by the last line of the scene? _____________________________________
6.
a.
What is Macbeth’s assessment of his murderous reign?
_______________________________________________________________________________
b.
What is unnatural about rivers here?___________________________________
c.
What is unnatural about blood here?___________________________________
Act IV, scene i
1.
What color symbolism is associated with the witches here?
color:_______________
meaning: __________________________________________
2.
Macbeth brings up the theme of disorder and associates it with the harvest image. Quote the
line(s) showing his connection most clearly. ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3.
When he goes back to the witches, what does Macbeth seek? _____________________________
4.
What is the first apparition (ghostly vision)? __________________________________________
5.
What warning does it give? _______________________________________________________
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6.
What is the second apparition? ___________________________________________________
7.
What does the 2nd apparition state? __________________________________________________
8.
What is the 3rd apparition look like? _________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
9.
What does the 3rd vision foretell? ____________________________________________________
10.
Compare Macbeth’s present attitude with his state prior to Duncan’s murder.
What is he like now? _____________________________________________________________
What was he like then? ____________________________________________________________
How has he changed? _____________________________________________________________
Act IV, scene ii
1.
The theme of “order in nature” is allied with the animal imagery. What is the wildlife
image that runs through this scene? ________________. How does Lady MacDuff relate it to the
disorder concept? _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Act IV, scene 3
1.
NOTE: This scene is frequently called the “testing scene”. Malcolm tests Macduff to see if he is
loyal to him. Malcolm tests Macduff by saying that he Malcolm has many dreadful qualities. Name 3
things that he “accuses” himself of.
i)
ii)
iii)
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
2.
What imagery does Macduff echo as he laments the news Ross brings him? ______________
3.
Malcolm’s concluding speech shows development of the harvest image. Quote the lines
showing the change.______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
4.
What does he mean by the quote in #3?____________________________________________
5.
The garment (clothing) image also appears in this short statement. Put the quote here:
“____________________________________________________________________________.”
Act V, scene i
1.
NOTE: This is one of the most famous of all scenes from Shakespearean plays. It is referred to as
“the sleepwalking scene.”
2.
Which image runs throughout the portion where the doctor observes Lady Macbeth? _____
3.
Why is she rubbing her hands? ________________________________________________
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4.
To what does she refer when she says, “One, two…” ?___________________________________
Act V, scene ii
1.
We see the garment or “borrowed robes” image again. Explain the use of this image in this
scene. _________________________________________________________________________
Act V, scene iii
1.
a.
b.
In this scene, we see that one of the major images is reaching a critical point of
development in its relation to Macbeth. What image is it? _______________
Explain the significance of this stage of development.______________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Act V, scene i
1.
2.
Macduff develops another image that is about to be concluded.
What is the image? ________________
Quote the lines here: _____________________________________________________________
Act V, scene v (5)
1.
Quote the lines that show us Macbeth’s view of himself now.
2.
Upon hearing of Lady Macbeth’s death, her husband delivers another famous soliloquy that
relates to the theme of passage of time and concludes one of the major images. Which image is
predominant?_________________________________________________________________
3.
What view of life is expressed in this passage? _______________________________________
Memorize these lines for extra credit: “Out, out brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow; a
poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, etc.” (lines 23-28)
Act V, scenes 6-8
1.
2.
How does each prophecy come true?
a.
b.
c.
prophecy #1:____________________________________________________________
prophecy #2: ____________________________________________________________
prophecy #3: ____________________________________________________________
a.
At the very end of the play, Malcolm is speaking. He begins afresh one of the
images that was used in the play. What is the image? __________________________
also
______________________________________________________________
b.
Quote the lines where the image appears.______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
c.
Interpret the lines (tell what they mean): _______________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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