The English Renaissance: Macbeth (by William Shakespeare)
Big Question: Can you ever be too ambitious?
Ambition is a powerful motivating force. Often it is considered desirable, since it inspires people to realize their
dreams. In fact, people without ambition are usually regarded as lazy. But is it possible to be overly ambitious?
When might high aspirations lead to terrible consequences? Such questions are explored in the story of
Macbeth, a general whose ambition is to become king.
QUICKWRITE: With a partner, brainstorm a list of people—historical and contemporary— whose ambitions
had tragic consequences. Beside their names, jot down what they hoped to achieve and the negative results of
their ambitions.
Historical background:
It is believed that Shakespeare wrote Macbeth largely to please King James. The Scottish king claimed to be
descended from a historical figure named Banquo. In Macbeth, the witches predict that Banquo will be the first
in a long line of kings. James’s interest in witchcraft—he penned a book on the subject in 1597—may also
account for the prominence of the witches themselves in the play. The play also spoke to James’s fears of
assassination; he had survived several attempts on his life.
Shakespeare loosely based his characters on historical figures recorded in the 1587 edition of Raphael
Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland. According to the book, both Macbeth and Duncan
were real people—and cousins.
CHARACTERS
Duncan, king of Scotland
Duncan’s sons: Malcolm and Donalbain
Noblemen of Scotland
Macbeth
Banquo
Macduff
Lennox
Ross
Menteith
Angus
Lady Macbeth
Lady Macduff
An English Doctor
A Scottish Doctor
A Porter
An Old Man
Three Murderers
A Gentlewoman attending on Lady Macbeth
Hecate, goddess of witchcraft
Three Witches
Apparitions
Lords, Officers,
Soldiers,
Messengers, and Attendants
Setting:
the 11th century (time) & Scotland and England (place)
Caithness
Fleance, son to Banquo
Siward, earl of Northumberland, general of the
English forces
Young Siward, his son
Seyton, an officer attending on Macbeth
Son, to Macduff
Act One Summary: As Act One opens, three witches say that they will meet Macbeth. On their way to see
Duncan, Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches, who prophesy that Macbeth will become thane of Cawdor and
then king, while Banquo will produce a line of kings. When Macbeth and Banquo meet Duncan, Duncan names
Macbeth thane of Cawdor, but he names Malcolm as heir to the throne. Lady Macbeth persuades her husband to
fulfill the witches’ prophecy by murdering Duncan at their castle.
Read with a Purpose: Look for details that indicate how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth feel about murdering
King Duncan.
1. In Act 1, scene 2, lines 15–40, what great feat has Macbeth accomplished for Duncan?
Answer:
2. What does this great feat convey about Macbeth’s character?
Answer:
3. Reread lines 35–38 in Act 1, scene 2. What do these analogies mean?
Answer:
4. Does Macbeth seem capable of murdering the king?.
Answers:
5. In lines 65–68, the witches compare Banquo to Macbeth and prophesy that Banquo will not be king but will
father (get) future kings. What do you think their words predict (foreshadow) for Macbeth?
Answer:
6. In Act 1, scene 3, in lines 39–87, in what ways have the witches shown that they represent supernatural
forces?
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7. How does Banquo’s reaction to the witches differ from Macbeth’s reaction?
Answer:
8. Reread lines 108–109 (Act 1, scene 3). Clothing is a metaphor for identity. What does Macbeth mean when
he asks why they are dressing him in “borrowed robes”?
Answer:
9. What new ambition does Macbeth reveal in Act 1, scene 3, lines 116–126?
Answer:
10. What clues suggest that Macbeth is overly ambitious and that his goal may be unworthy?
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11. In Act 1, scene 4, lines 11–14, Duncan admits he misjudged the Thane of Cawdor, who proved a traitor.
What might this admission foreshadow about the king?
Answer:
12. What theme does Duncan’s statement in Act 1, scene 4 lines 11-12 (“There’s no art / To find the mind’s
construction in the face”) suggest?
Answer:
13. Be aware that in Macbeth’s aside in Act 1, scene 4, lines 48–53, he admits that he hopes the king will be
murdered. Based on these lines, what do you think is Macbeth’s tragic flaw?
Answer
14. Reread Act 1, scene 5, lines 11-12 and 51. Compare Duncan and Macbeth’s thoughts regarding personal
thoughts.
Answer:
15. In Act 1, scene 5, lines 12–27, Lady Macbeth expresses her thoughts about the prophecies. What
conclusions can you draw about Lady Macbeth from this soliloquy?
Answer:
16. In Act 1, scene 5, lines 34–51, how does Lady Macbeth feel about seeing Macbeth become king?
Answer:
17. What do Lady Macbeth’s prayers imply about her view of gender roles?
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18. Reread Act 1, scene 5, lines 55–70 to find textual evidence to support the claim that Macbeth seems
unwilling to satisfy his ambition to become king.
Answer:
19. Why is the exchange between Lady Macbeth and Duncan in Act 1, scene 6, lines 25–31 ironic?
Answer:
20. In Act 1, scene 7, lines 12–28 of his soliloquy, Macbeth lists the reasons why he shouldn’t kill Duncan. Find
textual evidence to support how other characters will react if Macbeth kills the king?
Answer:
21. In Act 1, scene 7, lines 13–28, what does Macbeth acknowledge about his ambition? What does his
acknowledgement suggest about his state of mind at this point?
Answer
22. Reread Act 1, scene 7, lines 47–59. How does Lady Macbeth urge her husband to carry out his terrible plan?
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23. Compare Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s way of arguing their decision to kill Duncan.
Answer: