Macbeth Final Test Review 2014
Part One – One your test, you will complete 4 of 7 passages.
For each of the following passages:
 Indicate the speaker
 The context
 Identify the figurative language/ literary device /symbol used (state type)
 Explain the figurative language / literary device /symbol used
 Explain how the figurative language / literary device /symbol connect to and enhances a
theme
Act Three
“We have scotch’d the snake, not kill’d it.” (3.2.15)
“Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck / Til thou applaud the deed – Come seeling night… / Cancel
and tear to pieces that great bond / Which makes me pale!” (3.2.50-51)
“There the grown serpent lies; the worm that’s fled / Hath nature that in time will venom breed.” (3.4.34)
“I am in blood
Stepp'd in so far, that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er.” (3.4.167-169)
“He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and hear
His hopes ‘bove wisdom, grace and fear:
And you all know security
Is mortal’s chiefest enemy.” (3.5. 30-32)
Act Four
“Infected be the air whereon they ride,
And damn’d all those that trust them! “(4.1.151-152)
Act Five
“Out, damned spot! out, I say!” (5. 1.33)
“Here’s the smell of blood still: all the
Perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.” (5.1.46047)
“Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
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Macbeth Final Test Review 2014
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.” (5.5.26-30)
“I have lived long enough; my way of life
Is fall into the sear, the yellow leaf
And that which should accompany old age
“As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have; but, in their stead,
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath,
Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
Part B Short Answer
Be aware that, for each of these questions, you will have to provide valid reasons for your answers
and this will, more than likely, include textual evidence. Also, not all of these questions will appear on
your test, but I will select questions from the list below.
Knowledge
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
What does Malcolm mean when he says,” Your leafy screens through down”?
Define pathos and provide an example.
What did the three apparitions tell Macbeth?
What is Macbeth saying when he says, “I have lived long enough, my way of life is fallen into the sear, the
yellow leaf”?
What happens after Lady Macbeth receives the letter from Macbeth telling of his encounter with the
witches?
What happened after Macbeth asks the apparitions about Banquo and his ancestors?
What is Macbeth’s tragic flaw? Describe how it brings about his demise.
Can you explain why Macbeth and Lady Macbeth experience difficulty sleeping?
What is the meaning of “Why should I play the Roman fool”?
Comprehension
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Give a brief summary of how you see Macbeth’s over-confidence grow. Define hubris.
Who do you think is the most culpable in the Duncan’s murder?
What would you do if you found yourself in Macbeth’s position – no longer invincible and about to be
killed?
Can you write, in your own words, how Macbeth reacted when he heard that the Birnam Woods were
moving to Dunsinane?
In your own words, discuss the similarities between Banqou and Macbeth.
Who do you think had the most to benefit from the witches’ apparitions?
What differences exist in Macbeth’s character the first and the second time he meets the witches?
Application
1.
2.
Other than the sleepwalking scene, do you know of another instance when Lady Macbeth displays a small
degree of conscience? How does this impact our view of her as a character?
How might the play have changed had Banquo survived the murders attack?
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Macbeth Final Test Review 2014
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
If Macbeth had witnessed Lady Macbeth’s death, would the outcome of the play be different? Support
with textual evidence.
Taking into consideration the entire play, develop a set of instructions of how to become king in
Macbeth’s point of view.
Could Macbeth’s strategy of murdering other thanes and making threats work in a different setting?
Do you know of an instance where Macbeth is fueled by ambition and too trusting of others?
Do you know of an instance where the witches’ tricked Macbeth with their foul words and intentions?
Could the murder of Duncan happen today?
At the end of the play, Macbeth seems less concerned about the death of his wife and more concerned
about his ambition and kingship. Would this have happened at the beginning of the play. Justify your
answers citing textual evidence.
Analysis
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Why did Lady Macbeth’s character change?
Explain Macduff’s motives as he enters Dunsinane/
What is the driving force behind Macbeth’s change?
If Macbeth had witnessed his wife’s death, would he have acted differently?
What are some of the problems with Macbeth having destroyed the change of being?
How are the three prophecies given by the witches similar to those given by the apparitions. What theme
do they relate to and why?
Can you explain what must have happened to Macbeth mentally when he saw Banquo’s ghost?
Why did Macbeth’s attitude of people change throughout the play?
Synthesis
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
What would have happened if MacDuff did not kill Macbeth?
What would have happened if Malcolm and Donalbain hadn’t run away?
Can you see a valid possible solution to Macbeth’s killing spree?
What is the turning point in Macbeth’s character and why?
Explain the natural order of mankind / chain of being and explain its relevance to the play.
Would the outcome for Macbeth be the same if he had NOT killed Macduff’s family and servant?
Imagine that Macbeth did not go and visit the witches the second time. How would this have affected the
play?
Imagine that Lady Macbeth doesn’t fall ill and commits suicide. How would this have impacted the
outcome of the play?
If you had access to all the resources and had been given the apparition like Macbeth, what would you
have done? How does this differ from your approach / response?
Evaluation
1. What would have been a solution for Macbeth to end his “problem” before the English reached
Dunsinane?
2. Although many believe that Macbeth’s “vaulting ambition” is the primary reason for killing Duncan, he
also has several intentions. Prove.
3. Ignoring the fact that he killed many without reason and ends up dead himself, is Macbeth’s “vaulting
ambition” a good thing?
4. How effective are the apparitions’ fair words in hiding their foul intentions?
5. Defend your position as to why Macbeth would not play the “Roman fool”?
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Macbeth Final Test Review 2014
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