Macbeth Study Guide Questions
Macbeth Study Guide Questions
Act I Scenes 1 & 2 1. What is the meaning of “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”? Nothing is completely good; everything comes with a price. Nothing is as it seems. It sets the deceptive tone of the whole play. 2. What description does the Captain (Sergeant) give to Duncan about battle? He tells about how Macbeth and Banqumacbeth ao fought bravely in battle. Macbeth sliced up the enemy, Macdonwald, from his navel to his mouth. 3. What characteristics of the King are evident? He is loving and appreciative of others and is a benevolent ruler. 4. What punishment is pronounced upon the Thane of Cawdor? He will be executed. 5. What reward is bestowed upon Macbeth? He becomes the new Thane of Cawdor. Act I Scene 3 1. What are the first words uttered by Macbeth? “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” This reflects on how although Macbeth won the battle, it came at a high cost. 2. What 3 messages do the Weird Sisters bring Macbeth? They hail him as the Thane of Glamis (current title), Thane of Cawdor (new title he is about to receive), and tell him that he shall be king. 3. What affect do those messages have on Macbeth? He is very curious and interested in the prophecy, revealing his lust for power. 4. What message do the Weird Sisters give Banquo? His sons will be kings. 5. What word from the King to Macbeth and Banquo do Ross and Angus bring? Macbeth is bestowed the title of Thane of Cawdor. 6. Compare Macbeth’s character with Banquo’s as revealed in their reaction to the witches. Macbeth seems a bit fearful of the prophecy at first. Banquo notices and asks him why he fears “Things that sound so fair” (1.3.55). After the initial reaction, Macbeth is very curious and wants the witches to tell him more. However, the witches vanish and Macbeth is left wishing they had stayed to explain more. This shows his greed for power. On the other hand, Banquo, although also excited, is a bit
Act I Scenes 1 & 2 1. What is the meaning of “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”? Nothing is completely good; everything comes with a price. Nothing is as it seems. It sets the deceptive tone of the whole play. 2. What description does the Captain (Sergeant) give to Duncan about battle? He tells about how Macbeth and Banqumacbeth ao fought bravely in battle. Macbeth sliced up the enemy, Macdonwald, from his navel to his mouth. 3. What characteristics of the King are evident? He is loving and appreciative of others and is a benevolent ruler. 4. What punishment is pronounced upon the Thane of Cawdor? He will be executed. 5. What reward is bestowed upon Macbeth? He becomes the new Thane of Cawdor. Act I Scene 3 1. What are the first words uttered by Macbeth? “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” This reflects on how although Macbeth won the battle, it came at a high cost. 2. What 3 messages do the Weird Sisters bring Macbeth? They hail him as the Thane of Glamis (current title), Thane of Cawdor (new title he is about to receive), and tell him that he shall be king. 3. What affect do those messages have on Macbeth? He is very curious and interested in the prophecy, revealing his lust for power. 4. What message do the Weird Sisters give Banquo? His sons will be kings. 5. What word from the King to Macbeth and Banquo do Ross and Angus bring? Macbeth is bestowed the title of Thane of Cawdor. 6. Compare Macbeth’s character with Banquo’s as revealed in their reaction to the witches. Macbeth seems a bit fearful of the prophecy at first. Banquo notices and asks him why he fears “Things that sound so fair” (1.3.55). After the initial reaction, Macbeth is very curious and wants the witches to tell him more. However, the witches vanish and Macbeth is left wishing they had stayed to explain more. This shows his greed for power. On the other hand, Banquo, although also excited, is a bit