Macbeth

Question 1

What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald (Thane of fife)?

Answer 1

He calls him “valiant Cousin! Worthy gentleman!”

This is dramatic irony, the quote being said to the man
who will be his murderer.

Question 2

Who is sentenced to death in Act 1 Scene 2?

Answer 2

The Thane of Cawdor

He is sentenced to death for being a ‘disloyal traitor’ the King.

Question 3

What do the witches predict in for Macbeth in Act 1 Scene 3? What do they predict for Banquo?

Answer 3

They predict Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and eventually the king.

They predict that Banquo will be “lesser than Macbeth, and greater, Not so happy, and yet happier” and that
his descendants will be kings although he will not be one.

Question 4

What news does Rosse bring Macbeth?

Answer 4

Rosse tells Macbeth that Macbeth now holds the title of the Thane of Cawdor.

Question 5

Macbeth says, “Stars, hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires.” What are
He now desires to be the king, and he realizes that something will have to be done with the
Macbeth’s desires?

Answer 5

He now desires to be the king, and he realizes that something will have to be done with the
present king (and his sons) before his desires can become reality.

Question 6

After Lady Macbeth reads the letter, what does she tell us is her opinion of Macbeth, and how
does she plan to help him?

Answer 6

In short, Lady Macbeth thinks Macbeth could be a good king, but he lacks the hardheartedness
which would allow him to get to the position. She’ll talk him into it.

Question 7

What is Lady Macbeth’s “prayer” to the spirits after she learns Duncan is coming?

Answer 7

She wants to be filled with cruelty, given a hard heart and the thick blood necessary to do
what has to be done in order to make Macbeth king.

“Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood. […]

“Come to my woman’s breasts,
And take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers,
Wherever in your sightless substances
You wait on nature’s mischief. Come, thick night,
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark
To cry “Hold, hold!”