Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

English > Macbeth Retrieval Information > Flashcards

Macbeth Retrieval Information Flashcards

1
Q

Define the term “hamartia”.

A

Fatal flaw.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is Macbeth’s hamartia?

A

His ambition and hunger for power.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the purpose of the Captain’s speech in A1S2?

A

To plant a positive image of Macbeth in the minds of the audience, despite not yet meeting him.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How does Macbeth call for darkness in A1S4 and what is the significance of this?

A

“Stars, hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires”. He already feels guilty about his dark plan and does not want the “light” (good people) to uncover it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the three prophecies given to Macbeth in A1S3?

A

He will be Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and “king hereafter”.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the three prophecies given to Banquo in A1S3?

A

“Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.”
“Not so happy, yet much happier.”
“Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How is Banquo used to appear to Duncan that Macbeth and his wife are loyal people?

A

He compliments Macbeth’s castle and has a strong relationship with him.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Why did Macbeth initially not want to kill Duncan?

A

· He should be protecting him
· Duncan is a great ruler
· The people of Scotland would mourn him dearly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Why did Lady Macbeth not kill Duncan herself?

A

He looked like her father as he slept.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why does Lady Macbeth want to be “unsexed”?

A

She wants to be devoid of feminine qualities so she can commit the worst of deeds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What techniques are used in the phrase “fair is foul, and foul is fair”?

A

Paradox, equivocation, repetition and alliteration.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does “fair is foul, and foul is fair” suggest about the witches?

A

They derive enjoyment from causing misfortune to others, and have connections with the future.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does the Porter imagine himself to be in A2S3?

A

The gatekeeper of Hell.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Who does the Porter imagine entering Macbeth’s castle (Hell) in A2S3? What is the significance of this?

A

A farmer who stole crops from his harvest to feed himself, a tailor who stole clothing from customers and “an equivocator” who shifted cases in law for others for monetary gain. They all match Macbeth’s crimes, showing how deserving of punishment he is.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Which “unnatural” things does the Old Man describe in A2S4? What does it symbolise?

A

· A hawk was killed by an owl
· The king’s horses ate each other

These show that the Great Chain of Being is broken and nature is imbalanced, which is symbolic of Macbeth’s situation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

A2S3, Macbeth: “all is but ____”. What technique is used here and what is meant by this?

A

toys

This metaphor shows that Macbeth is expressing that life is futile.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does Lady Macbeth pretend to do in A2S3? Why?

A

She pretends to faint to distract everyone from Macbeth while feigning her own innocence and incapability.

18
Q

What does the killing of Duncan show about Macbeth?

A

He is willing to defy God to get what he wants (power).

19
Q

Define the term “peripeteia”.

A

A sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances.

20
Q

What peripeteia occurs between Macbeth and his wife in Act 3?

A

Macbeth feels as though he has become “a man” after killing Duncan (because of Lady Macbeth’s words). He becomes dominant, dismissive, and ignorant to his wife’s emasculation and insults.

21
Q

How is Banquo the antithesis of Macbeth?

A

He is noble and fights for goodness.

22
Q

Define the term “Machiavellian”.

A

Cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics.

23
Q

List key moments in Act 3 which demonstrate that Macbeth is Machiavellian.

A

· Schemes behind his wife’s back, excluding her (“Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck”)
· Kills his best friend, Banquo

24
Q

Who does Macbeth order to be killed? Why?

A

Banquo and his son, so that Banquo’s bloodline cannot become monarchs (as the prophecy says will happen).

25
Q

How does Macbeth manipulate the two murderers into killing Banquo?

A

He convinces them that Banquo is the source of their misfortune and is therefore their enemy.

26
Q

What three things are said to be happening in Scotland in A3S6? Why are we told this?

A

· People couldn’t sleep
· There was no food for people
· Violence had dramatically risen

They show how terrible and tyrannical of a leader Macbeth is.

27
Q

A3S4, Macbeth: “I am in _____, stepp’d in so far that to return would be as tedious as to go o’er”. What is meant by this quote?

A

blood

This quote shows that Macbeth’s actions are beyond redemption and he thinks that, rather than stop where he is, he will cause more suffering to others.

28
Q

How does Lady Macduff feel about her husband? What is Shakespeare showing about him?

A

She thinks he is a traitor. Shakespeare shows that Macduff is willing to sacrifice his reputation and family in order to save the country.

29
Q

What are the appearances of the three apparitions in A4S1?

A

· An armoured head
· A crowned child holding a tree
· A bloody child

30
Q

What happens in A4S2?

A

Macduff’s family and servants are murdered.

31
Q

What are Macduff and Malcolm discussing in A4S3?

A

Why Malcolm should/shouldn’t be king. Malcolm falsely claims that he would be a terrible ruler to test whether Macduff really wants the best ruler of Scotland, or if it is just a trap.

32
Q

What three warnings do the apparitions tell Macbeth in A4S1?

A

· “beware Macduff”
· “none of woman born shall harm Macbeth”
· “Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him”

33
Q

Macbeth can “feel his title hang loose about him, like a _____’s robe on a dwarfish _____”. What is meant by this?

A

giant, thief

Macbeth is an insignificant criminal who easily gives in to sin.

34
Q

How does Macbeth react to the death of his wife in A5S5?

A

“She should have died hereafter” - he realises that life is futile.

34
Q

How does Macbeth react to the death of his wife in A5S5?

A

“She should have died hereafter” - he realises that life is futile.

35
Q

What secrets does Lady Macbeth reveal in A5S1?

A

· Killing of Duncan
· Killing of Banquo
· Killing of Macduff’s family and servants

36
Q

Who kills Macbeth in A5S8?

A

Macduff

37
Q

Who becomes King of Scotland in A5S8?

A

Malcolm, Duncan’s son.

38
Q

What could Shakespeare be teaching the audience through the play?

A

Challenging the monarchy and the Great Chain of Being has dire consequences and will lead to great suffering.

39
Q

How could Macbeth be considered to have a cyclical structure?

A

A traitor is beheaded by a hero. The hero then becomes the traitor.

40
Q

What aspects of Macbeth would King James I have been pleased with when first watching it?

A

· Negative portrayal of the witches
· Banquo’s nobility. He would have viewed him as his ancestor
· Duncan being such a good ruler

English (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions