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Macbeth

Macbeth acts I-III

March 26, 2022 by Essay Writer

QUOTES

The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step/on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap. (Act I)
Macbeth, Malcolm is now the prince of Cumberland! To become king myself, I’m either going to have to step over him or give up, because he’s in my way

O never/Shall sun that morrow see! (Act I)
Lady Macbeth, Duncan will not live to see another day

Look like the innocent flower,/but be the serpent under’t.

(Act I)
Lady Macbeth, encouraging Macbeth to be more ruthless

Fair is foul and foul is fair. (Act I)
Witches, things are not as they appear

Make thick my blood, / Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse (Act I)
Lady Macbeth, she’s asking to become emotionally strong like a man in order to do these things that she wants to do

My hands are of your color, but I shame / To wear a heart so white (Act II)
Lady Macbeth, She is just as guilty as Macbeth but does not feel remorse

Is this a dagger which I see before me? (Act II)
Macbeth, he is contemplating Duncan’s death and guilt is already taking hold of him

“the worm that’s fled / Hath nature that in time will venom breed, / No teeth for th’ present.

” (Act III)
Macbeth, talking about Fleance and from Fleance will come kings

O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly. (Act III)
Banquo, telling Fleance to run away because the murderers are after him as well

Gentle my lord, sleek o’er your rugged looks; / Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight. (Act III)
Lady Macbeth, Come on, relax, dear. Put on a happy face and look cheerful and agreeable for your guests tonight.

We are yet but young in deed. (Act III)
Macbeth, he and Lady Macbeth are still beginners when it comes to crime

Act I Questions

What is the main theme of Act I of The Tragedy of Macbeth?
Macbeth defeats Thane of Cawdor, becomes Thane of Cawdor, hears a prediction that he will become king from the witches, his wife decides they will kill Duncan.

Before Macbeth makes his first appearance, what do we learn about him?
We learn that he had defeated the Thane of Cawdor, pleased the king, and become Thane of Cawdor.

What are the elements of a tragedy?
Features noble or out-standing protagonist, emphasizes human greatness, arouses pity, fear, awe, and ends unhappily with destruction of hero

Where does the play take place?
Scotland

Why is King Duncan so grateful to Macbeth?
He has defeated the Thane of Cawdor who had become an enemy to the king

Define Dramatic Irony.
the full significance of a character’s words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.

What is Macbeth’s character flaw?
Ambition, seeking more power

Why does King Duncan decide to make Macbeth the Thane of Cawdor?
Because he has defeated the Thane of Cawdor who was an enemy of the king

When Macbeth receives his new title of Thane of Cawdor, how does Banquo react?
He is shocked and can’t believe the witches were right

What can you infer about King Duncan? What does he value in his thanes?
He values loyalty above all else

Why does Macbeth have doubts about killing Duncan?
Because Duncan has been cool to him and he is also worried what would happen if he got caught

The numbered side notes in The Tragedy of Macbeth help readers understand which aspect of the play?
Help you understand difficult terms or phrases used during Shakespeare’s writing

Why does Lady Macbeth think Macbeth has little chance of becoming king?
Because he is too kind and good to be ambitious

What crime did the Thane of Cawdor commit?
Sold secrets to the Norwegians, treason

Near the end of Act I, why does Macbeth express doubt about murdering the king ?
He worries about getting caught

When Macbeth begins to waver in his deadly purpose, what does Lady Macbeth do?
She tells him that she’s doing it anyway

In Act I, Lady Macbeth’s remark that her husband is “too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness” indicates what?
She thinks he is too nice to go after the crown

What important role do the witches play in Act I?
They plant the idea in Macbeth’s head that he could king

The annotations in The Tragedy of Macbeth are helpful to the reader in what way?
They help the reader understand what is going on

Act II Questions

In Act II, Scene ii, what is Lady Macbeth’s purpose in drugging the servants?
So that they aren’t awake or aware of what happens during the night

In Act II, why does Macbeth declare he will “sleep no more”?
Because he has killed Duncan and feels guilty

What does Macbeth really mean when he indicates that the blood on his hands will redden all the seas?
Because the act that he has committed is so monumental that there is not enough water on the earth to wash him clean of the deed

What reason does Lady Macbeth give for not killing King Duncan herself?
She kept hearing noises and got scared and then said he looked like her father so she couldn’t do it

What does Macbeth mean when he says he will “sleep no more”?
His conscience will not allow him to sleep

What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says to Macbeth, “My hands are of your color, but I shame / To wear a heart so white”?
She is just as guilty but Macbeth needs to man up and stop feeling so guilty

The porter’s complaining is ironic because _____________.
He is complaining about what being drunk does to you but he is drunk haha

As soon as the murder becomes known, why do Malcolm and Donalbain flee Scotland?
They fear for their life (also they are worried they will be blamed for the murder)

The natural disturbances that continue all night—including the screaming and murderous owl, chimneys being blown down, and Duncan’s horses turning wild— symbolize what?
That Macbeth has upset nature but killing the king, things are not as they should be

Who is afraid of “daggers in men’s smiles” and of being killed?
Donalbain

Why do Ross and Macduff think King Duncan’s sons have killed their father?
Because they ran away

At the end of Act II, how does Macduff emphasize his opposition to Macbeth?
He does not attend the coronation of Macbeth

Act III Questions

At the beginning of Act III, Macbeth learns that Banquo will not be returning to the castle until after dark. Why is this good news for him?
Because he now has time to plot Banquo’s murder and tell the murderers the plan and catch Banquo at a bad time

Why does Macbeth decide to kill Banquo?
Because the witches say that Banquo will never be king but his heirs will be kings and Macbeth really isn’t in the mood for any more competition

Why does Macbeth send along a third murderer to join the first two in killing Banquo?
To make sure it would happen

When Macbeth hears that Fleance has escaped the murderers, how does he react?
He is angry and pretty crazy

Why does Macbeth begin to act so oddly at the banquet?
He sees Banquo’s ghost

During the banquet, how does Lady Macbeth explain away her husband’s behavior?
She says his behavior is nothing new

When Macbeth begins talking to Banquo’s ghost, how does Lady Macbeth react?
It’s normal he’s just having a fit

How does Hecate intend to ensure Macbeth’s downfall?
By making him over confident

At the end of Act III, Macbeth plans to visit the witches once more. What does he want to learn?
He wants to know if he can continue being king and about his future and his reign

How has Macbeth changed between the beginning of Act I and the end of Act III?
He has gone from being a Noble Thane to a murdering king consumed by ambition and guilt

Vocabulary

Surmise
Imaginings, speculation

Imperial and Sovereign
Of an empire; having supreme authority

Valor
Marked courage or bravery

Liege
Relating to the relationship between a feudal superior and a vassal

Treason
Betrayals of one’s country or oath of loyalty

Perturbation
Anxiety; mental uneasiness

Equivocate
To use terms that have two or more meanings to mislead purposely or decieve

Augment
Make greater, enlarge

Predominance
Superiority

Palpable
Able to be touched or felt, clear to the mind, plain to see

Stealthy
Behaving, done, or made in a cautious manner, as to not be seen or heard

Predominant
Foremost, powerful

Malevolence
Ill will, spitefulness

Indissoluble
Not able to be dissolved or undone

Infirm
Physical or mental defect, illness

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