Name
Macbeth Test Review – Background, Acts I & II
Renaissance Background
1. What was the Reformation?
2. Martin Luther
3. Henry VIII as the Head of the Church of England
4. Queen Elizabeth
5. What was Queen Elizabeth’s effect on British artists?
6. What event during her reign specifically fostered nationalism?
7. James I – How was he important to William Shakespeare?
8. Gunpowder Plot – Who did it involve? What was the motive?
9. What was the main cause of the English Civil War? Who came out the victor?
10. What was the Renaissance?
11. Where did the Renaissance begin?
12. What were the three genres of plays Shakespeare wrote?
a. _______________ - List two examples:
b. _______________ - List two examples:
c. _______________ - List two examples:
13. What is dramatic irony?
14. What is an aside?
15. What is a soliloquy?
16. What is a protagonist? Who is the protagonist of The Tragedy of Macbeth?
17. What is an antagonist? Who is the antagonist of The Tragedy of Macbeth?
Characters – What are the key things to know about each character?
18. Banquo:
19. The Captain:
20. King Duncan:
21. Lady Macbeth:
22. Macbeth:
23. Malcolm:
24. Thane of Cawdor:
25. Three Witches (Weird Sisters):
26. Macduff:
Background
27. What is blank verse?
28. Why is it particularly effective for drama?
29. What is Macbeth’s tragic flaw?
30. For which king did Shakespeare write Macbeth?
Act I
31. What are the motifs in the first scene of Macbeth? (Sc. 1)
32. What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald? (Sc. 2)
33. Who is sentenced to death? Why? (Sc.2)
34. What do the witches predict for Macbeth? For Banquo? (Sc. 3)
35. What news does Ross bring Macbeth? (Sc. 3)
36. What does Banquo say about the motives of the "instruments of darkness?" (Sc. 3)
37. How does Duncan reply when he hears about the Thane of Cawdor’s last moments? (Sc. 4)
38. Macbeth says, "Stars, hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires." What are
Macbeth's desires? (Sc. 4)
39. After Lady Macbeth reads the letter, what does she tell us is her opinion of Macbeth? How
does she plan to help him? (Sc. 5)
40. What is Lady Macbeth's "prayer" to the spirits after she learns Duncan is coming? (Sc. 5)
41. What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home? (Sc. 5)
42. What are Macbeth's arguments to himself against killing Duncan? (Sc. 7)
43. What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder? (Sc.
7)
44. What is Lady Macbeth's plan? (Sc. 7)
Act II
45. What is strange about the dagger that Macbeth sees in his soliloquy? (Sc. 1)
46. Why doesn’t Lady Macbeth kill Duncan herself? (Sc. 2)
47. When Macbeth is agitated about the murders, what does Lady Macbeth urges him to do?
(Sc. 2)
48. Why is the porter’s cursing ironic? (Sc. 3)
49. When Lennox and Macduff arrive at Macbeth’s castle in the morning, what does Macduff
wonder? (Sc. 3)
50. Why must Duncan’s sons flee the country? (Sc. 3)