MACBETH STUDY QUESTIONS

ACT 1

Scene 1:

1) The play opens with thunder and lightning as the three witches enter.  What does this tell us about the mood of the play?  What do the witches symbolize beyond just superstition?  Do you really believe that they are witches? That it most likely will be very dark and possibly mysterious. I believe the Witches symbolize evil beyond superstition. Yes, they seem to be planning to cast some sort of spell in the near future.

2) What doe the witches mean when they say, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”?  What does this tell you about what is likely to go on during the play? Appearance vs Reality, it means that, just because something may look good, does not mean it actually is. That some future events will probably be deceiving.  





3) How can a battle be “Lost and won”?  What foreshadow might this set-up?  What is the real battle in this play? They seem to be making the point that, there is a winning and a loss to every situation.   It is Macbeth's battle. The battle for his soul.





4) Graymalkin and Paddock are familiars (a cat and a toad).  What does this suggest about the action of the play?  What might they symbolize? It could imply that those might be their disguises possibly. It definitely symbolizes mystery. 



Scene ii

1) What does the bloody man report? That Macbeth has both, won the battle and killed Macdonald.




2) Why is Macdonwald a worthy rebel? He has been known as an evil villain.





3) What similes or metaphors does the captain (the bloody man) use to describe Macbeth and Banquo?  What is significant about these descriptions? The Captain describes them as Eagles and Lions. It is most likely has something to do with great power or force. 







4)  “Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, or memorize another Golgotha.”  What is the allusion?  What is significant about the statement?   What does it suggest?  Please keep in mind the religious/superstitious images/symbols already presented. The Captain is telling Duncan that the army he was just battling, has similarities to the men who crucified Christ. 







5) Who was Scotland fighting? Norway


Scene iii

1) Why do the witches talk in poetry? Because poetry has a flow to it and that is how the cast their spells. 



2) What do the witches predict for Macbeth?  What is the dramatic irony involved? That he will become king. But that place is not available at the moment.





3) What do they witches predict for Banquo?  What irony is involved in this promise? It goes along 
with the winning and losing situations, that even though he will become king, it will not be very enjoyable for him.




4) What is your first impression of Macbeth in scenes ii-iii?  What is your first impression of Banquo? He seems to be very power crazy, wants to be in charge, not that smart. He seems to be pretty intelligent in some aspects so far. 



5) How do Macbeth and Banquo differ in their reactions to the witches predictions?  What does this tell us about their characters? Macbeth believes everything immediately. Banquo processes it more. Macbeth is hasty, Banquo is not.





6) What message does Ross bring? He says that Macbeth will hold the title of Thane Cawdor.





7) “But ‘tis strange!  And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray us in deepest consequence.”  Who speaks the above quote?  What is the significance or meaning of the quote? Banquo. To be more observant, because again, not everything is what it seems.