Macbeth

Act I

1. What are the witches planning at the beginning of the act?

They plan to meet Macbeth when the battle is over.

What does the Captain report about Macbeth’s bravery during the battle?

He send up sprays of blood Macbeth acted like Bravery’s favourite child. He cut Macdonald open from his naval to his

jaws. In the second battle Macbeth was like an

overcharged cannon. He wanted to bathe in the sprays of blood.

3. What simile does the Captian use to describe the first battle?

The battle could be compared to two tired swimmers in deep water, clinging to each other.

4. What simile does the Captain use to describe the extra energy Macbeth and Banquo found for the second battle?

They were like cannons loaded with a double charge.

5. What happened to the original Thane of Cawdor and why did he lose his title?

He rebelled against Duncan and was caught.

Duncan ordered that Cawdor should be executed.

6. What prophecies do the witches give Macbeth?

He will be Thane of CawdorHe will be King

7. What prophecy does the witches give Banquo?

His children would be kings.

8. Which of Macbeth’s prophecies he received came true naturally?

Becoming the Thane of Cawdor

9. How do the witches make sure that Macbeth believes the lie that he will be king?

They tell him they know he is the Thane of Glamis. The prediction of Thane of Cawdor comes true. Macbeth now thinks the third prediction must also come true.

10. Banquo says: But ‘tis strange, and oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray’s in deepest consequence.’ What does Banquo really say?

Most of the time the instruments of darkness tells us the truth in matters of little importance.

This truth is small in comparison with how they will betray us later.

This matter might lead us to betray our souls, to commit a greater sin.

11. Macbeth tries to convince himself that he can believe the witches. Look at the speech that he makes in Act I, Scene 3, line 128. What is his argument?

If the predictions were bad, why did he become the Thane of Cawdor, which is something good.

12. What did Duncan do when he bestowed on Malcolm the title of “Prince of Cumberland”?

He said Malcolm would succeed him as king.

13. Why was Macbeth upset when Duncan gave Malcolm this title?

Macbeth thought he would become the next king.

14. What did Macbeth think he had to do when Malcolm was made “Prince of Cumberland”?

He could allow it to prevent him from becoming king or he could ignore it and still make sure he becomes king.

He could murder someone.

15. How does Duncan feel about Macbeth?

He owes Macbeth a lot.Macbeth is like a young tree that

Duncan will tend until it’s big.Macbeth is brave.

16. Shakespeare uses the image of clothingin Act I. Explain each of these images:

16. A. The Thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me in borrowed robes.

Giving Macbeth the title while the Thane of Cawdor is still alive is like dressing Macbeth in clothes borrowed from someone else.

16. B. New honours came upon him like a strange garment cleave not to their mould but with the aid of use.

The new title that Macbeth received is like a new piece of clothing. It will only fit you nicely once you have worn it for some time.

17. What does Macbeth write in the letter that he sends to Lady Macbeth?

The successful battleThe witches predictionsHe became Thane of CawdorThey said he would be king

18. Lady Macbeth thinks Macbeth will not do everything that he can to become king. Why does she think this?

He is too kind hearted.He doesn’t have a corrupted character

to follow his ambition at all costs.He will only become something if God

wants it.He will not kill to become king.

19. Why does Lady Macbeth invoke evil spirits into her life when she hears Duncan is going to stay at their castle?

She doesn’t want to experience feelings of guilt.

Her plans must be covered by darkness.

She wants courage to kill Duncan

20. Lady Macbeth says Macbeth must look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it.

Macbeth must appear innocent on the outside but on the inside he must be as dangerous as a snake.

21. Why does Lady Macbeth say Duncan will not leave their castle?

She plans to kill him

22. What is Duncan’s opinion of Inverness castle?

The castle is situated very nicely.It is surrounded by a pleasant

smell.It seems inviting.

23. How does Lady Macbeth seem when she receives Duncan at the castle and why is the act of receiving Duncan, ironic?

She is very friendly and says everything they have belong to Duncan.

It is ironic because she looks like the perfect hostess but she is going to kill him.

24. In scene 7, Macbeth does not want to kill Duncan anymore. Give the reasons why he doesn’t want to kill Duncan.

1. It should be done quickly.2. He must know he would become king.3. If he kills Duncan, he will pay for the murder. If not on earth in

the afterlife.4. Duncan trusts him.5. Duncan is related to him.6. Macbeth is his subject.7. Macbeth is his host.8. Duncan is a good king and heaven would make sure the killer

is found out.9. Nothing motivates Macbeth to commit the crime.

25. Lady Macbeth says: “I have given suck, and know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me – I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked the nipple from his boneless gums, and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this.” Why does she use this argument?

She is trying to show Macbeth that if she made a promise she would keep it even if it meant having to do something terrible.

26.How does Lady Macbeth plan for them to kill Duncan?

When Duncan is asleep, she will give the guards a potion that will make them sleepy.

They can sneek into the room and kill Duncan with the knives of the guards.

They can put the bloody knives on the guards and everybody would suspect the guards.

27. Macbeth says: “False face must hide, what the false heart doth know.” What does he mean?

Don’t show your real feelings on your face.

Don’t let Duncan see in your actions that we are planning to murder him.