MacBeth Questions

Macbeth Study Questions
ACT I

Scene 1:

1) The play opens with thunder and lightning as the three witches enter.  What does this tell us about the mood of the play?  What do the witches symbolize beyond just superstition?  Do you really believe that they are witches?
The mood of the play is very dark and serious. The witches symbolize maybe the possibilities that could happen if only they were listened to or in some way the guardians of the "play". I don't really believe they are witches, they are more like oracles.
 

2) What doe the witches mean when they say, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”?  What does this tell you about what is likely to go on during the play? Fair can be foul and foul can be fair. That most of the things that are going to happen in the play are going to fair but foul, and foul but fair.

3) How can a battle be “Lost and won”?  What foreshadow might this set-up?  What is the real battle in this play?
You can loose your title in battle or land, but also win the battle or win land or win a new title. The real battle in this play is MacBeth wanting to become king and having the witches tell him his destinies or the battle for MacBeth's soul.


4) Graymalkin and Paddock are familiars (a cat and a toad).  What does this suggest about the action of the play?  What might they symbolize? That magic will be involved in the play and might actually play an important role. The familiars may symbolize power.

Scene ii

1) What does the bloody man report?
The Bloody Captain reports that they almost lost the battle, but thanks to MacBeth and Banquo, they won the battle and MacBeth won the title of Thane of Cawdor.


2) Why is Macdonwald a worthy rebel?
Macdonwald was found out to be a traitor and is sentenced to death, which MacBeth earns Macdonwald's title of Thane of Cawdor.


3) What similes or metaphors does the captain (the bloody man) use to describe Macbeth and Banquo?  What is significant about these descriptions? He describles MacBeth and Banquo as eagles, sparrows, the hare, or the lion. The birds symbolize great power and show how they are not disturbed by the happenings around them.

4)  “Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, or memorize another Golgotha.”  What is the allusion?  What is significant about the statement?   What does it suggest?  Please keep in mind the religious/superstitious images/symbols already presented. Golgotha is Jesus being nailed to the cross in the bible. The battle can be remembered as much as Jesus curfixed. The battle was memorable and bloody. Ridding of sins. Forgiveness of sins. 

5) Who was Scotland fighting?
MacBeth and Banquo along with the Noriwans.


Scene iii

1) Why do the witches talk in poetry?
They have this aura around them and most spells or prophices are talked in poetry, so they don't get understood so easily.


2) What do the witches predict for Macbeth?  What is the dramatic irony involved?
The witches predict for MacBeth that he will become king. MacBeth will become king, but not the king he wants himself to be. Banquo tells MacBeth not to listen to the witches nor trust them.


3) What do they witches predict for Banquo?  What irony is involved in this promise?
That he will not be happy, yet much happier. That Banquo will always be behind MacBeth and never advance forward, but yet Banquo is also king because he is the descandented of King James I.


4) What is your first impression of Macbeth in scenes ii-iii?  What is your first impression of Banquo? He seems little like a stuck up man all about power. My first impression of Banquo is that he isn't such a bad guy and in a way I feel sorry for him.

5) How do Macbeth and Banquo differ in their reactions to the witches predictions?  What does this tell us about their characters?
MacBeth believes the witches word by word, whereas Banquo doesn't trust the witches and he doesn't believe them at all. MacBeth will fall and Banquo will raise.


6) What message does Ross bring?
Ross brings the message of MacBeth being the Thane of Cawdor and when Macbeth hears of this he starts to pray to become king.


7) “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 us in deepest consequence.”  Who speaks the above quote?  What is the significance or meaning of the quote? Banquo. Banquo is trying to tell MacBeth or warn MacBeth not to trust the witches, because they will feed us truths, but play around with them just to make them suffer.

Scene iv

1) What is Malcolm’s description of Cawdor’s execution?
The Thane of Cawdor had no problem dying or didn't care that he was getting executed.

2) What is the King’s response to this description?
That there was no way the Thane of Cawdor would just accept his death just like that, and maybe was pleading for help in his mind. 

3) Who does the King name as his successor?  How does Macbeth react to this information?
His son Malcolm. MacBeth doesn't like how he now has someone or something in his way of becoming king himself.

4)  “Stars hide your fires!  Let not light see my black and deep desires.  The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.”  Who speaks this quote and what is the significance of it? MacBeth speaks the quote. MacBeth sees an obstacle in his path of becoming king and he does not know what to do, since the witches have told him that he would become king. He feels he should either fall down or give up becoming king or find some way to push Malcolm out of the picture and become king.