MACBETH Study Questions:
NOTE: Your responses to these homework questions will form the basis of your study notes, and should thus be
completed using full sentences, along with the wording of each question being worked into your answer so the focus is
clear. Answers must use clear, in-depth analysis, AND, use support from the text in the form of quotations and/or
specific details.
ACT ONE
Scene One
1. Give two or three adjectives to describe the atmosphere of this
opening scene. How does diction help create atmosphere in this
scene? In which ways do the witches themselves help to set this
atmosphere?
2. What do the witches imply by saying “fair is foul and foul is
fair?” What expectations in the viewer are set up with this paradox?
3. What main character is mentioned? What future event is referred
to?
Scene Two
1. What do we learn about Macbeth and his efforts on the battlefield? List several qualities.
2. What do we learn about the original Thane of Cawdor? Why is this important?
3. What reward is given to Macbeth at the end of the scene? Why?
4. Find an example of personification, an analogy, and a simile. Analyse the implications of ONE of your examples.
Scene Three
1. List phrases that reveal the witches’ evil nature, their vengefulness, and their super-natural powers.
2. Name the three prophecies given to Macbeth and to Banquo. How does each character react to the
prophecies? Include not only reactions to the prophecies related to themselves, but also to each other’s.
3. After Ross informs Macbeth of his new appointment, what lines reveal Macbeth’s ambition?
4. Macbeth’s first soliloquy starting at 1.3.127 is important. What does it reveal about his character?
Scene Four
1. How does Macbeth react when he discovers that Malcolm will succeed Duncan?
2. Find the irony in Duncan’s first speech (“There’s no art . . .”) and his final speech (“True, worthy Banquo . . .).
3. What is revealed In Macbeth’s next soliloquy 1.4.48-53? How does it differ from his thinking in 1.3.143-144?
Scene Five
1. What phrases in Lady Macbeth’s opening speeches indicate her (a) determination, (b) heartlessness, and
(c) sense of evil?
2. How does she view herself in the enterprise at hand? (i.e. her desire to ensure the third prophecy comes true)
3. What does Lady Macbeth fear will be an obstacle to the commission of the crime? What does she decide to
do about it?
4. Look at the passage “look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.” How does it mirror the witches’
declaration that “fair is foul and foul is fair”? In other words, what are the implications of the flower and serpent
analogy and how are those ideas similar to the witches’ words?
5. What is Macbeth’s reaction to his wife’s proposal for the murder of Duncan that very night?
Scene Six
1. What types of imagery are used to describe Macbeth’s castle in this scene? How is the idyllic setting ironic?
2. Explain the irony in Lady Macbeth’s welcome.
Scene Seven
1. Under what circumstances would Macbeth be prepared to risk eternal damnation?
2. What reasons does Macbeth provide for NOT murdering Duncan?
3. What reason does Macbeth give to his wife for not proceeding further?
4. Provide details regarding what finally convinces Macbeth to fulfill the murderous plan.
MACBETH Study Questions
ACT TWO
Scene One
1. Why is Banquo unable to sleep?
2. What is the purpose of Macbeth’s comments to Banquo in this scene?
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3. Summarize Macbeth’s “dagger” soliloquy. NOTE: The answer to this question
must be an extended, detailed one, and should include relevant quotations worked in
smoothly and frequently.
4. What is revealed about his character in this soliloquy?
Scene Two
1. What do we learn about Lady Macbeth’s character in the first few lines of this scene? Has she changed at
all? Explain.
2. Why did Lady Macbeth not commit the murder herself?
3. What lines show that Macbeth is fearful? Or, conscience stricken?
4. What is Lady Macbeth’s reaction to her husband’s weakness?
5. What is the difference between Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s reactions to, or attitudes towards:
(a) the blood on their hands;
(b) the cries uttered by those in the next room; and
(c) the knocking at the gate
6. Why does “Amen” stick in Macbeth’s throat? What is his state of mind and find two examples to illustrate it.
7. What is suggested by the images of sleep used by Macbeth?
Scene Three
1. What purpose is served by the Porter’s speech (both comic and serious)?
2. How well do Macbeth and his wife disguise their guilty feelings during the scene? (Be specific!)
3. What errors, if any, do they make?
4. Why do Duncan’s sons decide to flee? How will this help Macbeth?
Scene Four
1. Ross and the Old Man discuss “the deed that’s done”. What strange happenings have occurred?
2. This scene develops pathetic fallacy. What are the three main ways the natural world apparently reflects the human
world in this scene? What aspect of the human world does nature reflect?
2. To whom do the words “darkness” and “living light’ refer symbolically?
3. What phrases suggest Macduff is suspicious of Macbeth?
4. To what extent has Macbeth’s plan worked thus far?
5. Why does Macduff go to Fife? What does this tell you about his loyalty to Macbeth, the new king?
MACBETH Study Questions:
ACT THREE
Scene One
1. This scene opens with Banquo thinking about Macbeth as king. What does he say that he fears?
2. Why is Macbeth asking Banquo questions about his plans for the afternoon?
3. How does Macbeth tempt the murderers to kill Banquo?
4. Why does Macbeth not want to commit the murder himself? Take into account that the reasons he gives
the murderers are only partially true.
5. Why does Macbeth wish Fleance dead too?
Scene Two
1. What change has taken place in Lady Macbeth, as indicated in the beginning of the scene?
2. What indications are given by Macbeth that Duncan’s murder has not produced the hoped for results?
3. What is the meaning of Lady Macbeth’s speech, “But in them Nature’s copy’s not eterne?”
4. What radical change has taken place in Macbeth’s attitudes toward evil deeds?
ACT THREE study questions cont’d
Scene Three
1. What setback to Macbeth’s plan takes place in this scene? Why is it important?
Scene Four
1. On hearing of Fleance’s escape, what thoughts reoccur to Macbeth?
2. Does he fear an immediate reprisal from Fleance? Explain.
3. Explain the way that Macbeth reacts when he sees Banquo’s ghost. How does
the ghost appear to Macbeth?
4. What excuse does Lady Macbeth give for her husband’s behaviour?
5. What is the motivation for Macbeth’s decision to revisit the weird sisters?
6. Explain what Macbeth means by the last two lines of the scene?
Scene Six
1. When Lennox says of Macbeth, “So that, I say, he has borne all things well,” can he be taken literally?
What clues in this speech point to his real attitude?
2. Apart from the fact that he is in disgrace with Macbeth, why has Macduff gone to England?
MACBETH Study Questions:
ACT FOUR
Scene One
1. Macbeth, after the third apparition, is convinced of his personal safety. What is it that still worries him?
2. Quote the line in which Macbeth curses himself. Explain the irony of this.
3. What effect does the announcement of Macduff’s flight to England have on Macbeth?
Scene Two
1. Why does Lady Macduff blame her husband? Comment on “He wants the natural touch” and “As little
is the wisdom, where the flight / So runs against all reason.”
2. Does Ross agree with Lady Macduff’s view of her husband and the overall situation?
3. What is the current state of Scotland?
4. This scene is effective in eliciting our sympathy (pathos). How is this achieved?
Scene Three
1. What reasons does Malcolm give for not trusting Macduff?
2. What do we learn from this scene about the type of character a person must have if they are to be king?
3. What do we learn about Macduff’s character by the way he reacts to Malcolm’s initial depiction of himself?
4. What is the effect of Ross’s news upon Macduff regarding his
personal concerns?
5. Clearly describe what powers are aligned against Macbeth at the
end of scene?
MACBETH Study Questions:
ACT FIVE
Scene One
1. Almost every sentence of Lady Macbeth’s speeches in this scene
reminds us of previous actions, incidents,
or speeches in the play. Identify very specific details in previous
scenes that are reflected by these remarks
of hers (NOTE: top marks ONLY if you are able to quote the
specific lines in earlier scenes that are relevant
here).
2. Showing insight, comment on the following:
(a) “This disease is beyond my practice: yet I have known those who have walked in their sleep, who
have died holily in their beds.”
(b) “More needs she the divine than the physician.”
3. Which of Lady Macbeth’s speeches connects her condition to the condition of Scotland?
Scene Two
1. What does this scene tell us about the progress of the forces against Macbeth?
2. What do we learn about Macbeth’s present relationship with those he commands?
Scene Three
1. What does the doctor mean when he says, “Therein the patient must minister to himself?”
2. What hope is Macbeth clinging to in this scene?
Scene Four
1. How are the forces gathering around Macbeth planning to disguise their numbers?
Scene Five
1. Why has Macbeth come to the conclusion that life is meaningless? Quote the passage that makes this
feeling clear to the reader.
2. What does Macbeth mean when he says, “Ring the alarum-bell! Blow, wind come, wrack! / At least we’ll
die with harness on our back.” Does this sound like it is in character for Macbeth? Explain.
Scene Seven
1. How is pathos aroused in the audience during the beginning of this scene?
2. Why does Macduff feel that it is so critical that he be the one who kills Macbeth?
Scene Eight
1. How is it that Macduff is able to kill Macbeth even after what the witches have said?
2. Explain in detail the psychological stages or changes Macbeth goes through in this short scene.
Scene Nine
1. Explain the way that Siward reacts to news of the death of his son. What does this tell us about how
the forces that overthrow Macbeth see themselves?
2. Clearly list the key points Malcolm makes in the speech he makes to his supporters at the end of the play.