Macbeth study booklet
Pg 1.
Shakespeare
famous-influencial-stole some information
-1500s
-wrote for royalty
-globe theater
-always used 5 acts(myth structure)
-climax in middle Information about the play
-written for James I
-Tradigy
- 2000 lines (shortest)
-stole information
-used history for ideas
-macbeth
Superstitions and fears
-cursed
-witches
-transformed into familiars
-talks to dead
-predicts future
-kill from distance
-make people sick
-fly
-become invisible
-create bad weather
-spoil crops.
Pg 2.
Cast of Characters
-Macbeth
-Lady Macbeth
-Duncan
-Malcom
-Donabain
-Banquo
-Lennox
-Ross
-Menteith
-Angus
-Caithness
-Fleance
-Siward
-Young Siward
-Seyton
-Boy
-An English Doctor
-A Scottish Doctor
-A sergeant
-A Porter
-An Old Man
-Lady Macduff
-Macduff
-Gentle Woman
-Hecate
-Three Witches
-Apparitions
-Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers, Murders, attendants, and messengers
How do we get to know a character?
1. What they say
2. What they do
3. what others say
4. what the author says
5. what they look like
Pg 3.
The Tragic Hero
1. What is a pathetic Tragedy?
A tragedy that happens without apparent reason.
2. what is the difference between a victim of a tragedy and a tragic hero?
A tragic hero is someone who makes a mistake that leads to their death.
3. Why do tragedies effect us so deeply?
Because they are injustice
Plot Tragedy Comedy
Exposition Conflict Joyful
Rising Action Rise of fortune Loss of fortune
Turning point Start mistakes turns around
falling action fall in fortune clean
conclusion death happy ever after
Tragedy: women are absent, quite, driven mad, killed or kill themselves.
Comedy: women dominate the play, lots of wit, intelligence, exciting, and have a language role.
Pg 4.
According to "shakespeare's tragic hero," what are the qualities that make contribution to the definition?
1. person is usually in a high position
-extrodinary
2. he/she must fall
3. they are amazing but flawed
-tragic flaw
-hubris
-too much of something
4. flaws lead to downfall.
-falls on own choice
5. audience feels pity/fear
-punishment exceeds crime
-death
6. gain before death
-went right
-some good
-curth arsis
-emotion from reader
-some justice
Harmarita : flaw causes downfall
Catharsis : the purging of emotional tensions.
Pg 5.
Act one scene one.
1. where does this scene take place?
a dessert with thunder and lightning
2. what mood is established at the beginning of the play?
evil, suspicion, and chaos
3. what is the dramatic purpose of this scene?
to set the play, it is foreshadowing
to set the mood.
4. when do the witches meet again?
at sun set
5. who are graymalkin and paddok?
they are the witch's familiars
Discussion Notes
Important Quotes:
"fair is foul, and foul is fair."
You thinking:
i am thinking that the quote is a spell that makes someone foul, and inreturn makes them fair.
Diagram scene one.
Pg 6.
Macbeth: Act one, Scene two
Questions
1. who is the king of scotland?
Duncan
2. what is the name of the "merciless" rebel who fought macbeth, and where does this rebel come from?
Macdonwald, the thane of cawdor.
he betrayed macbeth.
3. what figure of speech is used in the following lines? "and fortune on his damned quarrel smiling/ showed like a rebels whore."
Irony
4. in combat with the rebel, how does macbeth kill him? and what happens to the rebels head?
Macbeth slices through his abdominal muscles, chops off his head, and puts it on a spear.
5. what is the name of the king of Norway?
Mark
6. who is Bellona?
The goddess of war.
7. what is the new title Macbeth has won?
Thane of cawdor.
8. make a chart that outlines what kind of person macbeth is.
Personality: brave/heroic, fast, modest, manipulative.
Physical: muscular/fast, hansom.
Discussion notes
Pg 7.
Important Quotes
"as two spent swimmers, that do cling together, and choke their art."
- So exhausted that they choke their art.
Character Information
Literary Techniques
"cannons over charged" - metaphor/imagry - also a mistake, no cannons in age of play.
"Golgoth" Allusion
You thinking:
Macbeth becomes know as a great person, and receives more power.
Macbeth has some skill.
Diagram of act one scene two.
Pg 8.
Macbeth: Act one Scene Three
Questions:
1. we see a different side to the witches at the beginning of this scene. why do you think shakespeare intended this?
to show how the witches can very easily change their attitudes to help manipulate people much easier.
2. Why is Macbeth's first line important?
He i stating how it is bad because of the battle, but good because they had won it.
3. what are the three titles given to Macbeth?
Thane of Glamis, Cawdor, and the king.
4. Explain Banquo's Speech after the predictions given to Macbeth.
Banquo felt left out and jealous, he wanted to know if he also had a bright future.
5.What predictions are given to Banquo?
He shale have kings, he wil be happier than Macbeth, and will be less than Macbeth.
He will not be king, but his sons will.
6. How does Macbeth react to the witches' predictions?
He does not think it is true, and thinks of it as a superstition. he also thinks of how he will have no airs to the throne if Banqou's son will have it, if what the witches say is true.
7. Explain the line "why do you dress me in borrowed robes?"
Macbeth feels that it is wrong to take the privileges of another person, without knowing a justified reason.
8. What is an aside? what is its dramatic purpose?
it is when a character talks to himself, and the audience can hear it, but not the other characters.
it allows people to know what's going on in his head.
9. Banquo speaks wisdom in his speech, explain.
He sees how troubled Macbeth is, and from his experiences, he should be happy that he will be king.
10. What lines show Macbeth is already contemplating killing King Duncan?
"if chance will have me king, why, chance
may crown me,
without my stir."
11.Why is Macbeth so quite after the witches greet him with the titles?
he is doing some intense thinking, wondering if it is true, and if so what he should do.
12. Draw a diagram using an appropriate tool to show the differences in a character between Banquo and Macbeth. Use the Witches observations to help you.
Banquo Banquo-Macbeth Macbeth
Pg. 9
Discussion Notes
Important Quotes
"why do you dress me in borrow'd robes?"
- why do you give me undeserved land?
Literary Techniques
Character Information.
Macbeth has thoughts about killing the king.
The 3 witches can see the future.
Witches are edaling with Macbeth's life.
You Thinking: Macbeth acquires his first taste of greed.
Diagram of Act one Scene Three.
Pg 10.
Act one Scene four
Questions:
1. did the original Thane of Cawdor regret his treasonous actions?
The guilt of the Original Thane of Cawdor caught up to him, and drove him to return to face his punishments.
2. According to the King, did he or did he not trust the treacherous Thane of Cawdor who is executed?
Before the betrayal, King Duncan trusted Macdonwald.
“To find the mind’s construction in the face: he was a gentleman on whom I built, an absolute trust.”
3. Does Macbeth think he deserves a reward for his victories in battle? Why or why not?
Macbeth did not say he needed one, but could have been thinking it and not saying it.
“In doing it, pays itself.”
4. What title does King Duncan give to his elder son?
He gives his oldest son Malcolm the Prince of Cumberland.
5. Whom does Duncan refer to as "a peerless kinsman?" what does he mean?
Macbeth, because he stayed loyal while Macdonwald did not.
Important Quotes
“A deep repentance: nothing in his life became him like the leaving it; he died.”
“There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face: he was a gentleman on whom I built.”
“Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
Literary Techniques.
Dramatic Irony: Duncan says, “He was a gentleman on whom I built, an absolute trust” Shows how gullible the king is.
Mataphor : Duncan says, “I have begun to plant thee, and will labour to make thee full of growing”
Your Thinking: Duncan is going to be murdered by Macbeth who is gaining much evil thoughts as he is tempted by greed.
Character information:
Duncan is kind, and continues to show his gratitude towards macbeth.
Macbeth has another side, his thoughs continue to get darker.
Malcolm is the son of Duncan, and Prince of Cumberland.
Diagram of act one Scene four.
Pg 11.
Macbeth Scene Five.
(The introduction of Lady Macbeth)
Questions
1. what does the letter from Macbeth tell his wife?
it tells his wife of the three prophecies that he has received.
2. with what affectionate phrase or term is the letter does macbeth refer to his wife?
“My dearest partner of greatness.”
3. what does lady Macbeth fear about Macbeth's nature?
he is too soft/kind to kill the thing.
4. what surprising message does the messenger bring to Lady Macbeth?
King Duncan is on his way here.
5. Lady Macbeth asks the "spirits" to "unsex" here. what does she mean? what is her motivation?
to make her more manly, so that she can kill the king.
6. Name the figure of speech in the following passage. What is the meaning?
"You face, my thane, is as a book where men
May read strange matters."
said by Lady Macbeth.
it is easy to read Macbeth's feelings and thoughts.
7. Lady Macbeth tells her husband to look like, "the innocent flower/ but be the serpent under it." what does this mean?
to look innocent, but be ready to strike underneath.
to hide his intentions to kill the king.
to hide his evil.
8. what is the emerging theme so far?
Betrayal and deception.
Pg 12.
Discussion notes.
important quotes
“Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it.”
Literary Techniques
Simile: Lady Macbeth says, "“People are able to read your innermost feelings on your face as if reading a book.”
Soliloquy: is when a character talks to himself out load, to let the audience know what he is thinking/feeling.
Character information
Macbeth: we learn that he loves his wife.
Lady Macbeth: we see how she plays nice, but is actually evil underneath.
You thinking: If Lady Macbeth were evil all the time, than who would marry her; i'm thinking that the greed for power has also driven her to the point of great evil.
Diagram of act one scene five.
Act one Scene six
Questions
1. What is important about the line “This castle hath a pleasant seat?”
it is dramatic irony because Duncan is unaware of Macbeths plans.
2. What is important to note about the weather?
“Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle sense,” While the audience knows that King Duncan is going to be murdered that day.
3. How does Lady Macbeth greet Duncan?
In away so that he does not suspect anything, to make her seem like a stereotypical woman of that age.
4. Explain Lady Macbeth’s speech starting at line 30.
It is to make the king feel as if he were in his own home.
Important Quotes
“This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses.”
Literary Techniques
Dramatic Irony: Duncan says how it is so nice, while the Macbeths plan to kill him.
Lady Macbeth acts kind, while she plans to kill Duncan.
Duncan Says to macbeth," And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him” we know he is wrong.
Allusion: a comparison between Duncan and Christ, "The love that follow us sometime is our trouble, which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you, how you shall bid God ‘ild us for you pains, and thank us for your trouble.”
Character Information
Duncan continues to be gullible
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth grow anxious to kill the king, but think about the side effects.
Your Thinking: maybe duncan should have been less gullible.
Diagram of act one scene six
Act One Scene Seven.
questions
1. In his soliloquy, Macbeth offers sever reasons why he should not kill Duncan. List at least five.
they are related
Duncan trusts Macbeth
Duncan is innocent and did not do anything wrong
he is a subject of Duncan
everyone loves Duncan and would want revenge for his death.
2. What is Macbeth’s main motivation for killing King Duncan?
is his “vaulting ambition” because he wants it so badly he will do almost anything for it.
3. When Lady Macbeth enters the scene, what decision has Macbeth made? What reason does he offer to her?
Macbeths decision is that they should not kill King Duncan because, “He hath honour’d me of late; and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people.”
He chickens out.
4. Is Lady Macbeth pleased by Macbeth’s decision? How does she criticize him?
No, she criticizes him by accusing him of being a coward and saying he doesn’t love her and how she loves him so much that she would smash a baby’s brains out for him.
5. What does Lady Macbeth plan to do to Duncan’s guards to make the murder easier?
Make them drunk, and use their weapons to kill Duncan so they can blame it on them.
6. At the end of this scene what does Macbeth decide to do?
he pretended like everything was alright, so that he may easily kill them.
Important Quotes
“Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other”
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know."
Literary Techniques
Metaphor: “Upon this bank and shoal of time."
Lady Macbeth says, "Screw your courage to the sticking place,"
Macbeth Says, “I am settled, and bend up each corporal agent to this terrible feat.”
Simile: Macbeth says, "And pity, like a naked new-born babe"
Allusion: towards adam and eve, when tempted to eat from the tree.
Character Information
Macbeth: shows how girly he is, and how his wife controls him. How the wife is the man and he is the woman.
Lady Macbeth: we see how far from the stereotypical woman of the time she is.
Your Thinking: Duncan is doomed.
Diagram of scene one act seven
Act two scene one.
Questions
1. What is the name of Banquo’s son?
Fleance.
2. Banquo says that he suffers from “cursed thoughts” when he sleeps. What might these thoughts be?
they may have been about the witches and their predictions, as well as the temptations that Macbeth is having.
3. What gift has Ducan given to Banquo to give to Lady Macbeth?
A Diamond
4. What is important to note about Macbeth’s line about not thinking of the witches?
He lies to Banquo, because it is all he has been doing.
5. Macbeth wants to talk at length to Banquo about what the witches said. He tells Banquo that, if Banquo “cleave to {his} consent”, Banquo will gain what?
Macbeth will “make honour for,” Banquo
6. Is it possible for Macbeth to use Banquo as an accomplice to get to the crown. Explain why or why not.
It may be possible because Banqou and macbeth are such good friends that he may blurt out how great he is.
7. Who is “pale Hecate”?
Hecate is the goddess of witches, sorceres, and ghosts. She was also the goddess of roads and of the night.
Important Quotes
“The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is knell that summons thee to heaven, or to hell.”
“Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?”
Literary Techniques
Foreshadowing: “In seeking to augment it, but still keep my bosom franchised and allegiance clear I shall be counsell’d.” shows that Banquo thinks that Macbeth can not be trusted and if Macbeth realizes this he may need to kill him.
Dramatic irony: in the beginning of the scene Banquo hears a sound and asks his sword, but when he finds out that it is Macbeth in return he lightens up, cancels the order for his sword. This is irony because Banquo is no longer one of Macbeth's friends.
Character Information
Fleance is the son of Banquo
Macbeth is starting to go crazy
Your Thinking: Macbeth's down fall already started when he killed duncan.
Diagram of act two scene one:
Act Two Scene Two
Questions
1. What is Lady Macbeth’s state of mind or mood when this scene begins?
Tense and uneasy, having a drink helped her.
2. What reason does Lady Macbeth offer for not killing Duncan herself?
Lady Macbeth said, “Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I cad don’t.”
3. Who is sleeping in the second chamber?
Donalbain.
4. What could Macbeth not say as he passes by Donalbain’s chambers?
Amen.
5. Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth not to think so much of what he has done or what he has overheard. What will happen if he or she does not take her advice?
they will keep thinking about it causing them to go crazy, which will make others suspect them of killing Duncan.
6. Apart from Duncan, what else does Macbeth think he has murdered? In what sense is he right?
Macbeth thinks he has also killed sleep, because the guilt will never leave his mind, and will keep him from sleeping resting.
7. What task does Macbeth refuse to do, thereby forcing Lady Macbeth to do it?
Macbeth refuses to frame the guards for the murder of Duncan, this makes Lady Macbeth place the daggers.
8. Does Macbeth think he can wash the blood from his hands? Explain. What figure of speech is he using?
No, Macbeth thinks that his hands are permanently stained with blood from the sin he committed.
9. According to Lady Macbeth, what will clear or cleanse them of their “bloody deed”?
Lady Macbeth thinks, “a little water clears us of this deed”.
Important Quotes
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood"
Literary Techniques
Pun: Lady Macbeth says, “I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, for it must seem their guilt”. Lady Macbeth is making a pun on how guilt is like gilt.
Symbolism: The blood on his hands are symbolic for the guilt from the murder.
Character Information
Lady Macbeth: We see how she can handle the guilt better than Macbeth can.
Macbeth: Guilt is not something that he handles well.
Your Thinking: They will both die from Exhaustion from the lack of sleep.
Diagram of act two scene two
Act Two Scene Three
Questions
1. The Porter Scene is an example of comic relief, a common Shakespearean device following a tense or suspenseful scene.
2. Who has been knocking at the gate?
Macduff and Lennox have been knocking at the gate.
3. According to the Porter, what three things does drinking provoke?
red noses,
sleep,
lechery.
4. List the oddities of the night that Lennox mentions.
chimneys blown down,
screams of death,
earthquakes.
5. What does Macduff discover?
Duncan is dead.
6. Who at first is suspected of murdering Duncan and why?
the guards are suspected of murdering Duncan because Macbeth says, “O, yet I do repent me of my fury, that I did kill them”
As well as the planted daggers
7. What action does Macbeth say he repents of?
killing the guards out of anger because they killed the Duncan.
8. Apparently overcome by the thought of Duncan’s murder, what does Lady Macbeth do?
Faints to save Macbeth.
9. What do Duncan’s two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain decide to do? Why?
Malcolm and Donalbain decide to leave, because they are airs to the throne. Donalbain went to ireland Malcolm went to England.
Important Quotes
“And his gash’d stabs look’d like a breach in nature.”
Literary Techniques
Comic relief: The porter is the comic relief because we are excited from the murder, and this calms us down.
Dramatic irony: Macbeth is being addressed with the titles “noble sir” and “worthy Thane”
Macduff says, “O, gentle lady, ‘Tis not for you to hear what I can speak,”
Character Information
Lady Macbeth knows how to get attention.
Donalbain is one of Duncan's sons.
Macbeth Is a good actor just like his wife.
Your Thinking: there are advantages to keeping your thoughts and feelings concealed.
Diagram of act two scene three:
Act Two Scene Four
Questions
1. The Old Man and Ross speak of two unnatural events in the animal/bird kingdom which have occurred recently. What are they?
an owl eating a falcon during the day and horses eating horses.
2. Who is now suspected of conspiring to kill Duncan?
Malcolm and Donalbain
3. Who is going to become king?
Macbeth
4. What is the name of the place where the new king is to be invested with the title?
Scone, an ancient royal city near Perth.
5. Who chooses not to go to see Macbeth be made king? What does this imply?
Macduff, Macbeth may have murdered Duncan.
6. What does the Old Man represent?
Scotland.
Important Quotes
Literary Techniques
Foreshadowing : Macduff choosing not to go see Macbeth become King shows his suspicion, and creates the possibility that Macbeth may kill him.
Character Information
Macduff is the Thane of Fife and suspects Macbeth for Duncan's murder.
Macbeth is king in Scone.
Your Thinking: Macbeth is going to end up killing everyone.
Act Three Scene One
Questions
1. What three important questions did Macbeth ask Banquo? What is Macbeth’s motivation?
He asks Banquo if he is going horse riding this afternoon, if he plans for it to be a long ride, and if Fleance is going with him. to find an appropriate time to kill them.
2. What ambitions does Banquo seem to have as revealed in this scene?
Banquo reveals that if the prophesy of him that the witches gave will come true just like how it was true for Macbeth.
3. Paraphrase Macbeth’s soliloquy (lines 51-76)?
It’s not enough being king because they said Banquo’s children would be king and they never mentioned his children, so he thinks he ended up only doing that evil act to cause Banquo’s children to become king so now he wishes to fight destiny.
Important Quotes
“Thou play’dst most foully for’t: yet it was said."
Literary Techniques
Metaphor: Macbeth says, “Put rancours in the vessel of my peace”
Character Information
Macbeth is paranoid.
Your Thinking: Macbeth's paranoia will kill him.
Diagram of three scene one:
Act Three Scene Two
Questions
1. Which lines indicate a death wish on the part of Lady Macbeth and her husband in this scene? Quote them.
Macbeth says, “Better be with the dead, whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace.”
Lady Macbeth says, “Tis safer to be that which we destroy”
2. Which line(s) shows that Lady Macbeth has little influence on her husband?
Lady Macbeth says, “What’s to be done?”
Macbeth says, “Be innocent of the knowledge.”
3. Paraphrase the following lines:
1. “We have scorched the snake, not killed it.”
We have only partly secured our safety.
2. Naught’s had, alls spent./Where our desire is got without consent.”
You have nothing when you are unable to enjoy what you have.
3. Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.”
when you do evil, you can only fight it off with more damage.
Important Quotes
“Nought’s had, all’s spent. Where our desire is got without content: ‘tis safer to be that which we destroy than, by destruction, dwell in doubtful joy.”
“How now, my lord? Why do you keep alone.” (line 10)
“O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!” (line 40)
“Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.” (line 60)
Literary Techniques
Metaphor : Macbeth says, “Must lave our honors in these flattering streams,”
Character Information
The Macbeth's are slowly separating apart.
Your Thinking : Macbeth is turning into that evil person who wants to be alone with their plots.
Diagram of act three scene two:
Act Three Scene Three
Questions
1. Comment on the significance of the third murderer.
It is showing how Banquo is too good of a fighter to be taken down by only two, so there was a need for three murderers. there is also a possibility that macbeth also came along to ensure that it was done.
2. What is the significance of this scene?
it is the climax.
Important Quotes
“The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day.”
“But who did bid thee join with us!”
Literary Techniques
Foreshadowing: When Fleance escapes it shows that Macbeth is in trouble, and this may be the cause of his death.
Character Information
Banquo protects his son knowing he will die to save his life, this shows his honour, and family values.
Your Thinking : Banquo did a brave thing that not many people would ever do.
Diagram of act three scene three:
Act Three Scene Four
Questions
1. Why are the gory details of the murder important?
it shows how hard Banquo was to kill.
2. What is Macbeth’s emotion state when he sees Banquo’s ghost?
It is terrifying him, and it shows how he may be delusional and becoming crazy.
3. How does Lady Macbeth handle the situation?
she attempts to control Macbeth by trying to shame him by telling him he isn’t a man, but it does not work because she has lost control of him, and does not know of how Banquo was killed.
4. What is important about the exit of the banquet guest?
The King and Queen always left first so it’s unnatural for them to leave last.
Important Quotes
“The arm’d rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger; take any shape but that.”
Literary Techniques
Character Information
Macbeth is deteriorating, especially after seeing a ghost.
Lady Macbeth thought she was still in control of Macbeth, but learnt otherwise after having failed to help him.
The lord are probably begging to get suspicious of Macbeth because of his insanity.
Your Thinking: Macbeth is insane.
Diagram of act three scene four.
Act Three Scene Five
Note: Hecate, one of the Titans of Greek mythology, is the goddess who ruled magic and the dark doings of the night. She taught sorcery and witchcraft. Most scholars do not believe this scene was written by Shakespeare.
Act Three Scene Six
Questions
1. Lennox’s opening speech in this scene is full of sarcasm and verbal irony. What does Lennox really think of Macbeth and the various murders?
He is suspicious.
2. Where did Macduff go?
To England to get Malcolm, the rightful heir to the crown, to come back and reclaim the throne.
3. Summarize life in Scotland right now.
It is full of fear and confusion, and people want things to return to normal.
Important Quotes
“Under a hand accursed!”
Literary Techniques
Foreshadowing : more people are going against Macbeth, this shows his end is near.
Character Information
Lennox knows of Macbeth's murderous deed.
Your Thinking : Macbeth's end is starting to come.
Diagram of act three scene six:
Act Four Scene One
Questions
1. “By the pricking of my thumbs something wicked this way comes.”
2. Who arrives after the speech by the witches?
Hecate.
3. What does the first apparition that the Witches conjure up look like?
a head wearing a helmet.
4. What warning does this apparition give Macbeth?
“Beware Macduff; beware the thane of Fife.”
5. What does the second apparition look like?
a bloody child.
6. What prediction of reassurance does this apparition give to Macbeth.
“none of women born shall harm Macbeth."
7. What does the third apparition look like?
a child with a crown and a tree in its hand.
8. What prediction does this apparition make?
“Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him."
9. What last question does Macbeth want the witches to answer?
if Banquo’s children are to ever become king of Scotland.
10. What final apparition appears in answer to Macbeth’s question?
eight kings then followed by Banquo.
11. After emerging from his conversation with the witches, what does Macbeth decide to do after Lennox has told him that Macduff has fled to England?
Decides to kill Macduff's family.
Important Quotes
“Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn, and cauldron bubble.”
“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.”
Literary Techniques
Foreshadowing : each apparition told us what was going to happen, obviously since Macbeth was going to die, it would have to be in the circumstances stated
Character Information
Hecate and the three Witches are planning to deliberately set Macbeth up for his down fall.
Macbeth is evil, but the witches are worse.
Your Thinking: This play has a large amount of examples showing evil.
Diagram of act four scene one:
Act Four Scene Two
Questions
1. Who tells Lady Macduff of the flight of her husband to England?
Ross.
2. How does Lady Macduff feel about her husband’s flight?
feels angry because he has left them vulnerable.
3. Explain Ross’s lines beginning with “But cruel, are the time” (lines 21-24).
In Ross’s quote cruel is when something is done to some for no reason.
4. How does Lady Maduff’s son know that his father is not dead?
he shows it by saying, “If he were dead, you’d weep for him.”.
5. What is the dramatic purpose of this scene?
To get you attached to Macduff's family, to make Macbeth seem even worse.
Important Quotes
"When we are traitors, and do not know ourselves.”
“He loves us not; he wants the natural touch.”
Literary Techniques
Character Information
Lady Macduff is angry at her husband for leaving, and her Son is he is a bright kid who is able to read his mother quite well.
Your Thinking : This was an almost useless scene.
Diagram of Act Four Scene Two
Act Four Scene Three
Questions
1. In Macduff’s first speech, what does he say happens each morning? What is the dramatic irony of his speech?
2. After Malcolm gets Macduff to state firmly that he (Macduff) is not treacherous to Malcolm, Malcolm compares himself to Macbeth. Does Malcolm think he will be a better or worse king than Macbeth? Explain.
Malcom thinks he will be a worse king than Macbeth when he says, “In my voluptuousness: your wives, your daughters, your matrons, and your maids, could not fill up the cistern of my lust,” then he talks of his greed he says, “I should cut off the nobles for their lands, desire his jewels, and this other’s house,” When the time is right, Malcolm tells Macduff of how great he would be as a king.
3. After listing all of his vices and seeing the sorrow and despair in Macduff’s face, how does Malcolm reassure Macduff?
By telling him he was lying.
4. The king of England has two special abilities. What are they?
the ability to healing the sick and predicting the future.
5. Who suddenly arrives to speak to Malcolm and Macduff?
Ross.
6. What message or request does Ross give to Malcolm?
He tells him to return to scotland to help the rebellion.
7. What good news does Malcolm offer to Ross?
That england has offered 10 000 troops to back him up.
8. What message does Ross give to Macduff?
His wife and kids have been killed.
9. How does Macduff handle his grief?
by crying and tells the others the he, “must feel it as a man”
Important Quotes
“Give sorrow words: the grief that does not speak whispers the o’er-fraught hear, and bids it break."
“What, all my pretty chickens and their dam at one fell swoop?”
Literary Techniques
Metaphor : Malcolm says, “Macbeth is ripe for shaking,”
Symbol : Malcolm says, “The night is long that never finds the day,”
Character Information
King Edward is the king of england who is able heal and see the future.
Your Thinking: The scene would be better in a movie with the correct music, rather than in a script.
Diagram of Act Four Scene Three
Act Five Scene One
Questions
1. What strange behavior of Lady Macbeth is observed by the doctor and gentlewomen?
she is doing un-natural things such as sleep walking.
2. When Lady Macbeth says, “Out, damned spot! Out I say!” What is happening in the scene?
she is sleep walking/sleep washing.
3. To what three crimes does Lady Macbeth directly or indirectly refer?
The murders of Macduff’s wife, King Duncan, and Banquo.
Diagram of Act Five Scene One
Act Five Scene Two
Questions
1. By what three men is the English army led?
Malcolm, Macduff, and Siward.
2. Who is the “dwarfish thief” that Angus refers to and what has this thief stolen?
Macbeth and he has stolen the title of king.
3. What do we know about Macbeth’s leadership in this scene?
It is rapidly falling apart.
Diagram of Act Five Scene Two
Act Five Scene Three
Questions
1. How does Macbeth see his future
As an unstoppable force.
2. To what kind of leaf does Macbeth compare his life?
A yellow leaf in autumn.
3. What does Macbeth mean by “mouth-honor”?
The only honour he sees is from their mouths, and not their actions.
Honour that is said but not meant.
Diagram of Act Five Scene Three
Act Five Scene Four
Question
1. What significant command does Malcolm make to his troops? How does this command relate to one of the prophecies by the apparitions of the witches?
To hide themselves with trees. This relates to the witches third apparition because is about how he will now be defeated.
Diagram of Act Five Scene Four
Act Five Scene Five
Questions
1. When Macbeth hears the sudden cry of women, what does he notice about himself?
that he “almost forgot the taste of fear.”
2. Why did the women cry out?
It is Lady Macbeth, and she had just killer her self.
3. What news is given to Macbeth by the messenger?
that he thought he saw Birnam wood move.
4. What does Macbeth mean when he says: “blow wind, come wrack,/At least we’ll die with harness on our back”?
There is no point in retreating our only hope is to fight.
Diagram of Act Five Scene Five
Act Five Scene Six
Question
1. Who will lead the first charge of the English forces?
Malcolm.
Diagram of Act Five Scene Six
Scene Seven
Questions
1. When Macbeth says “that they have tied me to a stake,” what does he mean?
he is stating how he is trapped while fighting.
2. Whom does Macbeth kill in this scene?
Young Siward.
3. What is significant about the death?
He showed much honour facing Macbeth.
Diagram of Act Five Scene Seven
Act Five Scene Eight
Questions
1. When Macbeth refuses to play “the Roman fool,” what does he mean?
That he will not kill himself, instead he will fight with honour.
2. Why does Macbeth, at first, not want to fight Macduff? What does this say about Macbeth’s character at this time?
Because he has already killed his family.
3. What announcement does Macduff make that unnerves Macbeth?
That he is not of women born.
4. What proves to Siward, the English general, that his son, young Siward, has died a fair death?
The wounds on Young Siward were on his front, showing that he did not run away.
5. What is Macduff carrying when he re-enters the scene?
Macbeth’s head on a pole.
6. Who is the new king of Scotland, now that Macbeth is dead?
Malcolm is the new king of Scotland now that Macbeth is dead.
Diagram of Act Five Scene Eight
Act Five
Important Quotes
“Why, it stood by her: she has light by her continually; ‘tis her command.”
“Foul whispering are abroad: unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles.”
“Great Dunsinane he strongly fortifies: some say he’s mad: others, that lesser hate him, do call it valiant fury.”
“Of this dead butcher, and his fiend-like queen.”
“Of all the gentry: there is Siward’s son, and many unrough youths, that even now protest their first of manhood.”
Character Information
Malcolm was strong about his feeling to rebel.
Young Siward was brave enough to die for a cause.
Siward was known as the greatest soldier.
Macduff was revenge driven during the last battle.
Lady Macbeth's guilt drove her to insanity, and to her death.
Macbeth grew greedy and inconsiderate, which lead to his death.
Literary Techniques
Metaphor : Angus says, “Now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe upon a dwarfish thief.”
Macbeth says, “They have tied me to a stake; I cannot fly, but bear-like I must fight the course”
Foreshadowing : “Remove from her the means of all annoyance, and still keep eyes upon her”
Your Thinking : Macbeth may have seemed smart, but he was foolish.
A Noobs World © 2007-2008
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Contributor's Note
I hope this helps... i just didn't want my English HW to go to a waste, especially when so long... *i swear my english teacher is crazy, had 2 days to write this...* If you aint sure what grade this is, or course, its English 20-1
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