Macbeth Questions Flashcards
Witch 2 says, “By the pricking of my thumb, Something wicked this way comes.” Who comes?
Macbeth comes.
What is Macbeth’s attitude towards the witches this time?
Macbeth is demanding, trying to take charge.
What four things did the witches show Macbeth? What does each show/say? What is Macbeth’s reaction?
The four things the witches show Macbeth is an armed head meaning to beware Macduff, a bloody child to reveal that Macbeth will not be harmed by anyone “born of woman,” a crowned child with a tree in its hand shows he will not be vanquished ‘til Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane, and the 8 kings followed by Banquo’s ghost with a mirror represents Banquo’s descendants becoming the king in the future. Macbeth’s reaction reveals that he doesn’t like one about Banquo.
Macbeth says (about the witches), “Infected be the air whereon they ride, And damned all those that trust them!” What is Macbeth, in effect, saying about himself?
He is saying he himself is damned because he trusted the witches.
Where is Macduff?
Macduff is in England helping Malcolm raise an army.
Why does Macbeth have Macduff’s family and servants killed?
Macbeth kills Macduff’s family to punish him and deter him from fighting against Macbeth. He orders their family to be killed after he receives the prophecies from the witches. He believes he is basically invincible but heeds the warning to beware Macduff.
Why does Lady Macduff’s son say liars and swearers are fools?
He implies that since there are more of them than honest people, they should get together and hang the honest people. They are foolish to leave themselves in jeopardy when they could overcome the honest people.
Malcolm says, “Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell. Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, Yet grace must still look so.” What does that mean?
Satan was God’s right hand man until he was corrupted. The point of this statement is that things aren’t what they seem. Duncan trusted Macbeth. Malcolm trusts no one.
Macduff says, “Oh, Scotland, Scotland!” Why?
Malcolm has just told him what a horrible king Malcolm would be if he were on the throne instead of Macbeth. Given the choice, he fears for his country.
What news does Ross bring to Macduff?
He brings news of Macduff’s family’s murders.
What do the doctor and gentlewoman see Lady Macbeth doing? What do they decide to do about it?
She is sleepwalking and talking about the murders. The doctor decides it is best to not mention that he heard anything and tells the gentlewoman to keep an eye on Lady Macbeth.
What does Macbeth want the doctor to do for his wife?
He wants the doctor to ease her suffering, to give her something that will make her unaware of what is going on.
What trick does Malcolm use to hide the number of men in his army?
He has his men cut off tree branches and use them as camouflage.
Malcolm says, “And none serve with him but constrained things Whose hearts are absent, too.” What does that mean?
Macbeth’s armies are there in body only, not in spirit and shouldn’t be a problem.
What is Macbeth’s reaction to Lady Macbeth’s death?
He says that she should have died “hereafter”. His reaction is quiet and thoughtful. He personifies tomorrow as a devilish, demonic thing. He talks about the brief candle that is our lives, we only get an hour on the stage. It is a moment of nihilism.
