Macbeth Reading Guide Questions

ACT I scene 1
1. Line 10: What does this line mean? Be alert throughout the play for characters and events which illustrate this apparent contradiction. This means that her frog is calling her 2. What is the purpose of this scene? To set the stage for the play

ACT I scene 2
3. In reading the lines of Duncan, consider whether he has the characteristics of a strong king. Duncan has the characteristics of a strong King, he shows this in lines 63-65, in which he sentences the Thane of Cawdor to death for betraying him; this shows that he is establishing his authority as a powerful king.

4. Lines 7-41: What do the Sergeant's comments indicate about Macbeth as soldier and leader? The Sergeants comments indicate that Macbeth was a brave and noble soldier, and was extremely victorious.

ACT I scene 3
5. Lines 3-25: What do these lines indicate about the extent of the witches' power? The limitations of their power? They have power over the wind, they can see into the future, but they cannot make things disappear.

6. Line 38: What earlier lines is Macbeth echoing? What does he mean? Why might Shakespeare have given him this line? Macbeth is repeating the earlier line of the 3 witches He means that his day was so good yet so bad at the same time Shakespeare may have given him his line for a foreshadowing effect

7. Lines 44-45: The witches gesture "silence" in response to Banquo's question, yet they answer Macbeth at once. What does this show about the nature of their spell? This shows that their spell is in favor of Macbeth, they have far more respect and favor toward Macbeth therefore he will benefit more from the spell

8. Line 51: Why does Macbeth start? What does this suggest about Macbeth? As you read on, compare his reaction to the witches' prophecies with Banquo's reaction. What do the reactions of the two men reveal? What might this suggest about the future action of the play? Macbeth starts because he is shock that he would be appointed such a high position and is not used to hearing such news This suggests that Macbeth is not used to being so highly honored and respected, and upholding such a high position The reactions of the two men reveal that they are both surprised but joyous to hear such fortunate news; this could suggest that Banquo and Macbeth will be of high power in the throne, and possibly fight eachother for the throne due to the prediction of the witches that Banquos descendents will be Kings.

9. Line 117: What has Ross said earlier that would allow Macbeth to say, "The greatest is behind" -even if he hadn't had the confrontation with the witches? Contrast Macbeth's reactions with Banquo's. 10. Line 127-142: Note the ambivalent feelings Macbeth expresses in this aside. Which side of his nature seems to predominate here? These lines seem to show Macbeths naivets and inexperienced nature; Macbeth has the nature of a little boy, he is not used to upholding such a high honor

11. Lines 116-146: In his asides, Macbeth tells the audience, but not the other characters, his secret thoughts. What are they? Read the asides without the intervening comments to get their full impact. Macbeth is confused with his thoughts and is trying to figure out his feelings, he concludes that whatever is going to happen will happen.

12. Lines 152-154: To whom is Macbeth addressing these lines? He is addressing them to himself

ACT I scene 4

13. Lines 11-14: About whom is Duncan speaking? What possible dramatic irony might there be in Macbeth's entrance immediately after this speech? Be alert for other examples of Shakespeare's use of this technique. Duncan is speaking about the Thane of Cawdor They may be foreshadowing that Macbeth may do something like the Thane of Cawdor did

14. Lines 20-21: Considering Duncan's previous message to Macbeth, what might Macbeth expect from Duncan with respect to the succession to the crown? Macbeth might expect gifts, money, and constant favor toward him from Duncan

15. Lines 22-27: This speech makes explicit the proper relationship between king and thane. Why do you think Shakespeare gave Macbeth this speech? I think Shakespeare gave Macbeth that speech because it shows that Macbeth understands the duty a Thane has to a King, he makes it clear that he will always serve his King with honor and respect

16. Lines 28-29: I have begun. . . growing: What does Duncan mean? He means that he is starting off Macbeth in a potentially great career, and he will be sure that Macbeth is successful

17. Lines 33-35: My plenteous joys. . . sorrow: What does Duncan say in his physical reaction? He says that he is brought to tears of sorrow and that he is giving the throne to his son Malcolm

18. Lines 35-39: How should the actor playing Macbeth react here? Why might Duncan pick this moment and this company to name Malcolm his successor? The actor playing Macbeth should act surprised yet happy Because he wants his family members and all of those close to him to witness and see that he is naming Malcolm his successor but they always want his family to witness that Macbeth will also be receiving such honors alongside Malcolm.

19. Lines 48-53: Is Macbeth's reaction at all surprising? Is it justified? What does his speech suggest may be his "black and deep desires"?

I was surprised by Macbeths reaction, I would have predicted that hed pay thanks to Duncan and show him what gratitude he had toward him for this wonderful fortune, it was an abrupt reaction I do not believe that it is justified His speech suggests that his black and deep desires may be his desire for Malcolms throne and how he plans to obtain that power

20. Line 54: To whom is Duncan referring? How is it ironic? Duncan is referring to Malcolm It is ironic because in the beginning he expressed how he could never betray or do anything deceitful to a king

ACT I scene 5
21. What does the letter reveal about their relationship? Which phrases in the letter are especially significant? The letter reveals that Lady Macbeth is a partner to Macbeth in all the greatness he achieves and everything he accomplishes it also reveals that they have a very trusting relationship The phrases in the letter that are especially significant are, my dearest partner in greatness and the greatness that is promised to us

22. How does Lady Macbeth's first reaction to the witches' prophecies differ from Macbeth's? Lady Macbeth reacts worried and concerned whereas Macbeth reacts shocked yet joyous

23. In what ways does Lady Macbeth's description of her husband reinforce your impression of the ambivalence of his character? She says that he is too full of the milk of human kindness to strike aggressively; she is concerned that he is too kind and honest of a man to uphold such a high honor such as king which entails betrayal and cheating.

24. Line 31: In what tone of voice would she say this? What would be her tone in the next sentence? Why? She would say this in an angry dramatic tone She would say this with an evil tone; because she is saying to fill her with cruelty

25. Line 38: What thought has just occurred to Lady Macbeth? The thought has just occurred that the witches are evil murdering demons. murder?

26. Lines 50-52: At this point, who does Lady Macbeth think will commit the She thinks Macbeth will commit the murder

27. Lines 37-51: Who is Lady Macbeth addressing and why? What must she know about herself? Lady Macbeth is addressing the witches; she knows that they are turning Macbeth evil and are causing him to have thoughts of murdering Duncan

28. Line 58: How does Macbeth say this? (firmly? tentatively?) He says this in a gentle manner because his wife was so angry before

29. Line 69: Is Macbeth completely convinced? No he is not completely convinced because he still wants to continue the conversation with Lady Macbeth

ACT I scene 6
30. Note that almost all Duncan's lines may be read in an ominous, ironic sense. 31. Lines 1-10: Contrast these lines with Lady Macbeth's reference to the raven in Act I scene 5, 35-37.

ACT I scene 7
32. Who does Macbeth think will be committing the murder? He will be committing the murder

33. Lines 1-28: In what specific ways does this soliloquy support Lady Macbeth's estimate of Macbeth? List his reasons for not going through with the murder. He speaks of how he would only be teaching others to commit violence, which shows his kind heart, he speaks of justice and being equal to everyone which shows his honest heart, he says how he is Duncans kinsman and subject and that Duncan trusts in him and he should not betray him he should

protect him from the other evils not be one of the evils. He says that he is Duncans host so he should be serving him not killing him, he says that Duncan was an innocent and humble man and has only done good for him, how could he kill him. 34. Lines 32-35: What does Macbeth give as his reason for not proceeding with the murder? Is this explanation in accord with what he said in his soliloquy (lines 128)? If not, why does he offer a different reason to Lady Macbeth? Macbeth says that the king has honored him and he has earned a high opinion of all the people and he wants to enjoy these great feelings. I think this explanation is in accord with what he said in his soliloquy

35. Lines 36-58: Trace through the arguments by which she works to convince her husband to go through with the murder. How does she convince him? She convinces him that he will be a coward if he doesnt go through with their plan and kill the king, she says he will live being scared. She convinces him that he will be a man if he kills the king because it takes courage and only a true man has that quality

36. Line 45: How does Macbeth say this: pleadingly? mildly? defensively? angrily? Macbeth says this pleadingly and defensively

37. Line 59: Editors of Macbeth have punctuated this line variously as either "We fail!" or "We fail?" How would the change in punctuation affect the meaning? It would change the meaning because Macbeth is questioning what would happen if they fail, but if it said we fail!, then he wouldnt be questioning it his mind wouldve already been made up that they will fail

38. Line 61: Lady Macbeth has been angry. How does her tone change here? Why? She changes from angry to determined, she explains the plan to Duncan and is now trying to get his courage up and encourage him

39. Lines 67-70: Who does Lady Macbeth now say will commit the murder? She says the servants will commit the murder