Macbeth
Written by William Shakespeare
Project by Lee Pierce
William Shakespeare and Historical
Influence
William Shakespeare, while actual date of birth is unknown, was first
baptized on April 26 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. While
little is know about Shakespeare’s personal life, he was married to
Anne Hathaway at 18 years old and had three children with her.
Shakespeare is often referred to as the greatest writer of the English
language. This title comes about as Shakespeare contributed works
such as Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, King Lear, and Julius Caesar,
along with countless sonnets. Shakespeare’s basic poetic form is
blank verse iambic pentameter. Shakespeare died on April 23 1616.
Macbeth was written sometime between 1603 and 1607. Macbeth
was written just a few years after Shakespeare’s Globe Theeatre.
The play was most likely written soon after the coronation of King
James the first of England, formerly known as King of Scots James
the seventh. It is often believed to have been written for and debuted
for King James of Scotland. It was during this period that the first
Union Flag of England was designed.
Conflict in Macbeth
The conflict in Macbeth arises after Macbeth is given a prophecy
from three witches that he will be King. Upon telling the prophecy to
his wife, Lady Macbeth pressures him into taking the life of King
Duncan and taking his place upon the thrown. After doing so,
Macbeth becomes paranoid and attempts to kill off anyone he sees
as a threat. Meanwhile, the true heir to the thrown, Duncan’s son
Malcolm, flees to England and seeks help. As the plays progresses,
After being warned by the witches about Macduff, Macbeth exiles
him to England. Macduff then meets Malcolm and the two plot to
take back the thrown. A battle ensues and Macduff and Macbeth do
battle. After a heated fight Macduff beheads Macbeth.
Symbolism and Theme in Macbeth
Floating
Dagger
before
Duncan’s
death
Lady Macbeth
sleepwalking
Blood
Weather
Discussion Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Do the witches in Macbeth engineer fate or manipulate the actions the lead to a
predestined outcome?
How does Shakespeare’s depiction of fate parallel with the elements of fate in classical
pieces such as the Iliad and Oedipus Rex?
In the play Lady Macbeth appears to dominate Macbeth, but can she be considered a
feminist character or only manipulative?
How does Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking and suicide represent core themes in the play?
How is ambition represented as a tragic flaw?
What does the characterization of the witches say about the views on superstition in the
historical period?
What do the images produced by the cauldron represent?
How is equivocation used in the play?
What does the illusion of the dagger represent?
How does weather dictate the actions of the characters in the play?
Urges Macbeth to
commit regicide
Honors Macbeth
Murders
Duncan
Exiles Macduff
out of fear and
paranoia.
Flees to England.
Plots to take back
the throne.
Returns and kills
Macbeth.
Flees to Ireland but
never returns in the
play
Helps Malcolm
develop plot to kill
Macbeth
Kills herself out of
guilt.
If you like Macbeth you may also like…
•Hamlet by William Shakespeare
•King Lear by William Shakespeare
•Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
•The Iliad by Homer
•Antigone by Sophocles
•The Tragedy of Macbeth Part 2: The Seed of Banquo by Noah
Lukeman
Terms to Know
•
•
•
•
Equivocation
Regicide
Tragedy
Iambic pentameter
Reading Quiz
1.
What do the three witches meet upon?
a. a roof b. a heath
c. Macbeths statue d. Duncan’s castle
2. What nation is invading Scotland in the opening scene?
a. Portugal
b. Russia
c. Germany
d. Ireland
3. The sailors wife refused to share her ___ with the witch
a. broomstick
b. black cat
c. chestnuts
d. husband
4. Macbeth is greeted with how many witches?
a. two b. three
d. five d. four
5. The witches tell Macbeth he will be thane of what providence?
a. Narnia
b. Ireland
c. Glamis
d. Cawdor
6. Who urges Macbeth to kill Duncan?
a. his mother
b. Banquo
c. Lady Macbeth
d. Donalbain
7. Macbeth has a vision of what object floating before him?
a. Duncan’s head b. Fleance
c. a dagger
d. a bow
8. Who is originally framed for Duncan’s death?
a. Banquo
b. Donalbain and Malcolm
c. the chamberlains d. the porter
9. Donalbain flees to which country?
a. Ireland
b. Germany
c. U.S. colonies
d. England
10. Malcolm flees to which country?
a. Ireland
b. Germany
c. Portugal
d. England
11. In act three, Macbeth states that the only man he fears in Scotland it…
a. Malcolm
b. no one
c. Banquo
d. Macduff
12. Macbeth hires whom to kill Banquo?
a. two unknown men
b. Ross
c. Lennox
d. Fleance
13. Who escapes the assassination attempt?
a. Lady Macbeth
b. Ross
c. Banquo
D. Fleance
14. Who’s ghost is at dinner?
a. Duncan
b. the chamberlains
b. Banquo
c. Fleance
15. The witches meet with who in Act three scene five?
a. Hecate
b. Macbeth
c. Lady Macbeth
d. Malcolm
16. Who has been blamed for Banquo’s death?
a. Fleance
b. Macbeth
c. Macduff
d. Donalbain
17. Where has Macduff went?
a. England
b. Italy
c. Germany
d. Ireland
18. Who are Macduff and Malcolm asking for aid?
a. King James IV b. Mary Queen of Scots
c. King Edward
d. Queen Elizabeth
19. How does Malcolm test Macduff’s loyalty?
a. he immediately trusts him
b. he asks to see Macduff’s tattoo
c. he pretends to be a bad person
d. he jokes of killing Duncan
20. Lady Macbeth has developed a habit of…
a. Sleepwalking
b. Stealing
c. riding horses
d. being kind
21. Lady Macbeth admits to
a. the murders
b. being evil
c. being a witch
d. loving Banquo
22. What is seemingly covering her hands?
a. tears
b. gun powder
c. blood
d. food
23. Who has committed suicide?
a. Donaldbain
b. Macduff
c. Lady Macbeth
d. the porter
24. Macbeth is afraid of no man because…
a. he is immortal
b. his armor is the best in the world
c. no man woman born can kill him
d. he is confident in his outside army
25. Why can Macduff kill Macbeth?
a. he can’t
b. he was not born of a woman
c. he is god
d. “from his mother’s womb/ Untimely ripped”
26. Macduff claims what part of Macbeth?
a. his sword
b. his arm
c. his head
d. his castle
27. Who is the new king of Scotland?
a. Macduff
b. Fleance
c. Malcolm
d. Donalbain