Macbeth Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is the primary theme of ambition in Macbeth?
The theme of ambition is central to Macbeth, showcasing how unchecked ambition can lead to one’s downfall.
Who says, ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’?
The Weird Sisters (the witches) say, ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’.
True or False: Lady Macbeth is initially more ambitious than Macbeth.
True
Fill in the blank: ‘Out, out brief candle! Life’s but a _____.’
walking shadow
What does Macbeth mean when he says, ‘I am in blood stepp’d in so far’?
He means that he is so deep in his crimes that turning back is not an option.
What role do the witches play in Macbeth’s fate?
The witches prophesy Macbeth’s rise to power, which ignites his ambition and sets the tragic events into motion.
Who is the first character to die as a result of Macbeth’s ambition?
King Duncan
Multiple choice: What does Lady Macbeth ask the spirits to ‘unsex’ her?
She wants to be stripped of feminine weakness.
What does Macbeth mean by ‘Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow’?
He reflects on the meaningless passage of time and the inevitability of death.
True or False: Macbeth is initially hesitant to kill Duncan.
True
Who says, ‘Is this a dagger which I see before me?’
Macbeth
Fill in the blank: ‘There’s no art to find the mind’s _____.’
construction
What does Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking symbolize?
It symbolizes her guilt and mental unraveling.
What is Macbeth’s tragic flaw?
His unchecked ambition.
Multiple choice: Who ultimately kills Macbeth?
Macduff
What is the significance of blood in the play?
Blood symbolizes guilt and the consequences of violence.
Who says, ‘Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it’?
Lady Macbeth
True or False: Macbeth starts as a noble character.
True
What does the phrase ‘something wicked this way comes’ refer to?
It refers to Macbeth as he becomes fully corrupt.
Fill in the blank: ‘The lady doth _____ too much, methinks.’
protest
What do the apparitions tell Macbeth?
They provide him with prophecies that give him a false sense of security.
What is the role of fate versus free will in Macbeth?
The play explores the tension between predestined fate and the characters’ choices.
Fill in the blank: ‘I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only _____.’
vaulting ambition
What does Malcolm do at the end of the play?
He becomes king of Scotland.
