Final Exam: June 2011
English 2
200 points
The Basics
The midterm exam will consist of Vocabulary, Short Answer, and Essay. The exam will be worth a total
of 200 points.
The Format
Part 1: Vocabulary
1 point each/60 total points
Directions: The Vocabulary portion of the midterm will consist of 60 fill-in-the-blank/matching
questions. Vocabulary will cover the following chapters: 21-22-23-24-25-26
Part 2: Short Answer
10 points each/ 80 total points
Directions: In several well detailed and complete sentences, respond to eight questions related to
our studies of Macbeth and Gladiator.
Part 3: Essay
30 points each/ 60 total points
Directions: Respond to two essay prompts by composing at minimum a three-paragraph response for
each.
Your Name: ____________________________
Part 2: Short Answer
10 points each/ 80 total points
Directions: In the space provided, respond to the following questions using several complete and
detailed sentences. Respond to ALL parts of the question.
1. Lady Macbeth suggests to Macbeth: “Look like the innocent flower but be the
serpent underneath.” What does she mean and how successful are the Macbeths in
adopting such an attitude? Give specific examples from the text to support your
answer.
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2. Act 3 of a Shakespearean Drama is known as the climax of the play. Explain how
and why the banquet scene in Act 3 marks the turning point of the play.
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3.
First, read the summary of Act 5:
Lady Macbeth, while sleepwalking, reveals her knowledge of the deaths of Duncan, Lady Macduff, and Banquo. Her
continual washing of her hands cannot ease her dread or make her feel cleansed. The doctor and attendant realize they
cannot help her. (i.)
Macbeth is too involved with battle preparations against Malcolm and English and Scottish troops to spend much time
considering his wife's dreams. (iii.) When he hears of Lady Macbeth's death, he contemplates that life is "full of sound and
fury, signifying nothing." He reassures himself with the predictions only to see the woods advance when Malcolm's soldiers
camouflage themselves with boughs from Birnam Wood. (v.)
Macbeth sees the ambiguity of the predictions but goes bravely into battle. He kills young Siward who dies fearlessly (vii.)
and then faces Macduff who tells him that he was not "of woman born" but was "untimely ripped" from his mother's
womb. Finally realizing the true implications of the predictions, Macbeth refuses to yield to Macduff and face capture and
ridicule. He confronts Macduff and bravely fights to the death. Macduff displays the "usurper's cursed head" and acclaims
Malcolm the new King of Scotland. (viii.)
Next, read the following poem by Alice Walker:
Confession
All winter long
I’ve borne the knife that presses
Without ceasing
Against my heart
Despising the lies
I have told everyone
The truth:
Truth is killing me.
Now, in the space below, explain how the poem by Alice Walker relates to Lady Macbeth
given what you now know happens to her in the final act of the play.
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4. Compare and contrast the four murders (Duncan, Banquo, and Lady Macduff and her
son) that Macbeth plans or commits during the course of the play. How does he justify
each of the murders? In other words, how does he rationalize each murder? Do any of
the murders seem more senseless than the others? Explain.
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5. “To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness” Confucius.
Explain how this relates to Macbeth and to what extent you believe the quote holds
true for Macbeth. In other words, is Macbeth inherently evil or is he seduced by evil
forces to commit murderous deeds?
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6. What is the significance of Macbeth’s vision of the dagger and of Banquo’s ghost in
the play?
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7. “Things are not always what they seem.” The preceding is a prevalent theme throughout the play
Macbeth. Identify, explain, and discuss at least three examples from the play that support the theme
of “things are not always what they seem.”
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8.
Macbeth’s final soliloquy is one of the most famous passages in this tragic drama
MACBETH
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing
1. List four things to which Macbeth compares life
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2. How does Macbeth express the span ( or how long it lasts) of life?
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3. How does he express the futility (or uselessness) of life?
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4. If Macbeth feels life is ultimately without purpose, why does he try so hard to defend his
life?
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Your Name: _____________________________________________________________
Part 3: Essay
30 points each/ 60 total points
Directions: Using the space provided, respond to the following in at least three well
developed paragraphs using specific references to the text and film to support your ideas.
1. Reflect
back on Macbeth and consider how and why he changes. Try to
bring out the various conflicting aspects of his character: ambition/duty,
bravery/fear, strength/uncertainty, good/evil. Your response must span the play
and include mention of the turning point. Consider the following:
Who is Macbeth when we first meet him?
How does Act 3 mark a key turning point or change in his personality from
which there is no turning back?
Who is Macbeth by the end of the play? Consider the summary provided
to you for Act 5 and Macbeth’s final soliloquy. In other words, Macbeth
changes from what kind of person to what kind of person and why? What
qualities or flaws in his character cause this change? Power? Ambition?
Greed?
You MUST include a thesis that states your position: Throughout the play,
Macbeth changes (how) and (why).
2. Select one of the following to answer:
Macduff and Maximus both become heroes after being victims of corruption.
Compare their quest for vengeance
-----Or----Commodus and Macbeth both become corrupted by an obsessive desire for
power. Compare how each character is ultimately consumed by this desire and
meets his end as a result.
Good Luck!