Macbeth Acts II and III Quiz- 2XC
Act II
1. Identify the following quotations. Who says each quote and to whom? Put each quote into your own words.
“So I lose none (honor)/In seeking to augment it, but still keep/My bosom franchised and allegiance clear…”
“O gentle lady/’Tis not for you to hear what I can speak:/The repetition, in a woman’s ear/Would murder as it fell.”
“To Ireland I; our separated fortune/Shall keep us both the safer. Where we are/There’s daggers in men’s smiles…”
2. Why does Banquo say he is unable to sleep (II.i.)?
3. In his “dagger” soliloquy, how does Macbeth explain the vision of the dagger he sees but cannot touch (II.i.33-61)? What
does this vision reveal about the state of Macbeth’s mind?
4. What reason does Lady Macbeth give for not killing Duncan herself (II.ii.10-13)? What does this reason reveal about the
character of Lady Macbeth?
5. What does Macbeth hear Malcolm and Donalbain say in their sleep? Why can’t Macbeth himself say “amen” (II.ii)?
6. Why does Macbeth forget to leave the daggers behind after murdering the king? What does Lady Macbeth do to make it
appear Duncan’s guards have murdered him (II.ii.)?
7. How does Lady Macbeth’s response to the blood on her hands differ from Macbeth’s response (II.ii)?
8. What does Macbeth do to the guards after the king is found murdered? How does he explain his actions and how does Lady
Macbeth distract attention off of her husband (II.iii)?
9. What do Malcolm and Donalbain each decide to do after the murder of their father? What reason do they give for their
similar but different courses of action? Ironically, how does this make them appear (II.iii)?
10. What is the purpose of Act II scene iv?
Act III
11. Identify the following quotations. Who says each quote and to whom? Put each quote into your own words.
“For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind/For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered.”
“...for ‘t must be done tonight…leave no rubs nor botches in the work…”
“It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood.”
“For mine own good/All causes shall give way.”
“I am in blood/Stepped in so far…My strange and self-abuse/Is the initiate fear that wants hard use./We are yet but young
in deed.”
12. Why does Macbeth fear Banquo (III.i.48-72)? There are two reasons.
13. How does Macbeth motivate the two murderers to kill Banquo? What reason does Macbeth give them to kill Fleance as well as Banquo
(III.i)?
14. What invited but unexpected “guest” shows up at Macbeth’s feast? How does Macbeth react and why (III.iv)?
15. What is Hecate planning to do to Macbeth (III.v)?