ACT I Study Questions
1.1
1. What is the effect of beginning the play with the witches? (Compare the openings of the other plays we have read; are any of those like this one?) Whom are the witches going to meet, and when? Notice the language of lines 10-11 and watch for it later in the play.
It is sort of foreshadowing the future, the theme, mood, and plot. The witches are going to meet Macbeth "at the ere of sunset."
1.2
1. What do we learn about and from the "bloody Captain" (1.2.1-44)? Who is Macdonwald and what has he done? What has been done to him and by whom? Did that end the problem with rebels (1.2.29-34)?
We learned from the "bloody Captain" statement is Macbeth's characterization. Macdonwald is a rebel who was killed because he tried to attack them. Macbeth killed him with a sword, but it didn't end the problem with the rebels.
2. What do we learn from Ross and Angus (1.2.45-62)? Who was the traitor in this different revolt? What does King Duncan say about the traitor and about his title (1.2.63-65)?
From Ross and Angus, we learned that the traitor was the Thane of Cawdor . King Duncan says that he is relieved that the traitor has been killed and that Macbeth now has his king title.
1.3
1. What is the effect of what the witches tell each other in 1.3.1-27)? What is the effect of the specifics they tell? Are these details important to the plot of the play? Why are they here? What does the First Witch mean by line 9? Keep the line in mind; "do" is an important word in this play. How do the witches prepare for Macbeth's arrival, and what do they say (1.3.28-35)?
The effect of what the witches tell each other in this act gives a first look into how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are. They are important because it foreshadows the future and they are there to foreshadow. The witches cast a spell to control his destiny.
2. Does Macbeth's first line (1.3.36) remind you of anything we have heard before? What do the witches look like (1.3.37-45)? What do they tell Macbeth (1.3.46-48). What happens to Macbeth then? How do we know? (See 1.3.49-55.) What does Banquo ask the witches and what do they tell him (1.3.55-67; notice the paradoxes in 1.3.63-65, similar in structure to 1.1.10-11 and 1.3.36). What do we know that Macbeth doesn't know in 1.3.68-76)?
Macbeth's first line is sort of like the witches first lines and how they predict the future. his statements are his future. The witches tell Macbeth that his is going to be the king. Banquo asks the witches why isn't going to be king and why Macbeth and they tell him basically that Macbeth is better than him and we also know that he was thane before he was thane.
3. How does Banquo explain the witches (1.3.77-78)? What does Macbeth learn from Ross and Angus (1.3.87-114)? What is Macbeth doing in lines 114-156? Note where he is speaking to himself, where he is speaking only to Banquo, and where he is speaking to everyone. How is Macbeth reacting to what the witches have said and to what Ross and Angus have said? Read Banquo's speech in lines 120-125 carefully for a statement related to the themes of the play. Then read Macbeth's speech at 1.3.126-141 carefully. What is he saying? What is he beginning to think about? Notice an echo of the paradox of "fair is foul" in lines 140-141.
Banquo explains the witches are hallucinating and Macbeth learns that he is thane of Cawdor from Ross and Angus and Macbeth aside is showing how he really feels about all of this and how he feels about being king soon.
4. How does Macbeth explain his behavior (1.3.148-149)? How much of his thought does he plan to share with Banquo (1.3.152-154)?
Macbeth contradicts himself with his aside because he tells Banquo that he is happy and excited.
1.4
1. How did Cawdor die (1.4.1-11)? How does the King respond (1.4.11-14)? Keep these lines in mind.
Cawdor was executed after openly confessing for his treason and pleading for mercy. The king responds with he can't trust a man just according to his face.
2. How does the King greet Macbeth and Banquo (1.4.14-35)? Note the imagery of planting and growing. What announcement does the King make in lines 35-42? (Prince of Cumberland is the title of the Scottish heir apparent, like Prince of Wales for the English.) Where does the King intend to go (1.4.42-47)? How does he react in his aside to the King's announcement of his heir (1.4.48-53)? What is going on in Macbeth's mind?
The king greets Macbeth and Banquo by saying that he can never repay them for their good deeds. The king intends to propose that they will go to Macbeth's castle at Inverness and Macbeth tells himself that he needs to kill him.
1.5
1. Has Macbeth reported accurately to his wife (1.5.1-12)? How does she respond? Read her speech in lines 13-28 carefully. How does she describe Macbeth? Does this match what we have seen of him?
Macbeth is being honest with his wife but his wife, Lady Macbeth says he is playing things off as if everything is fine, but this doesn't match the characterization of Macbeth in the story right now.
2. How does Lady Macbeth respond to the news that the King is coming? Read her speech in lines 36-52 carefully. What does she intend to do? What does she have to do to herself to let that happen?
the wife was confident about the guests visit and she seemed prepared and a little cocky and the way her and her husband would handle it.
3. Who is in charge when Macbeth arrives (1.5.52-71)? Has Lady Macbeth decided what to do? Has Macbeth? What does she tell him to do, and what will she herself do?
When Macbeth arrives Lady Macbeth is in charge and she wants to kill Duncan, but he is not sure whether he wants to follow with her orders and tells him to not let Duncan see tomorrow.
4. What is Lady Macbeth's name? (A trick question-it's not in the play. But historical sources tell us her name was Gruoch and that she had a son by a previous marriage, named Lulach. See the Bedford Texts and Contexts edition of Macbeth, p. 128, with no source given there.)
Lady Macbeth's name is Grouch.
1.6
1. Read the opening speeches (1.6.1-10) carefully, noting the imagery. How honest is Lady Macbeth's welcome (1.6.10-31)?
Lady Macbeth's welcome was very sweet and not really like her lasts scenes. It shows that she is sort of fake.
1. What is the effect of beginning the play with the witches? (Compare the openings of the other plays we have read; are any of those like this one?) Whom are the witches going to meet, and when? Notice the language of lines 10-11 and watch for it later in the play.
It is sort of foreshadowing the future, the theme, mood, and plot. The witches are going to meet Macbeth "at the ere of sunset."
1.2
1. What do we learn about and from the "bloody Captain" (1.2.1-44)? Who is Macdonwald and what has he done? What has been done to him and by whom? Did that end the problem with rebels (1.2.29-34)?
We learned from the "bloody Captain" statement is Macbeth's characterization. Macdonwald is a rebel who was killed because he tried to attack them. Macbeth killed him with a sword, but it didn't end the problem with the rebels.
2. What do we learn from Ross and Angus (1.2.45-62)? Who was the traitor in this different revolt? What does King Duncan say about the traitor and about his title (1.2.63-65)?
From Ross and Angus, we learned that the traitor was the Thane of Cawdor . King Duncan says that he is relieved that the traitor has been killed and that Macbeth now has his king title.
1.3
1. What is the effect of what the witches tell each other in 1.3.1-27)? What is the effect of the specifics they tell? Are these details important to the plot of the play? Why are they here? What does the First Witch mean by line 9? Keep the line in mind; "do" is an important word in this play. How do the witches prepare for Macbeth's arrival, and what do they say (1.3.28-35)?
The effect of what the witches tell each other in this act gives a first look into how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are. They are important because it foreshadows the future and they are there to foreshadow. The witches cast a spell to control his destiny.
2. Does Macbeth's first line (1.3.36) remind you of anything we have heard before? What do the witches look like (1.3.37-45)? What do they tell Macbeth (1.3.46-48). What happens to Macbeth then? How do we know? (See 1.3.49-55.) What does Banquo ask the witches and what do they tell him (1.3.55-67; notice the paradoxes in 1.3.63-65, similar in structure to 1.1.10-11 and 1.3.36). What do we know that Macbeth doesn't know in 1.3.68-76)?
Macbeth's first line is sort of like the witches first lines and how they predict the future. his statements are his future. The witches tell Macbeth that his is going to be the king. Banquo asks the witches why isn't going to be king and why Macbeth and they tell him basically that Macbeth is better than him and we also know that he was thane before he was thane.
3. How does Banquo explain the witches (1.3.77-78)? What does Macbeth learn from Ross and Angus (1.3.87-114)? What is Macbeth doing in lines 114-156? Note where he is speaking to himself, where he is speaking only to Banquo, and where he is speaking to everyone. How is Macbeth reacting to what the witches have said and to what Ross and Angus have said? Read Banquo's speech in lines 120-125 carefully for a statement related to the themes of the play. Then read Macbeth's speech at 1.3.126-141 carefully. What is he saying? What is he beginning to think about? Notice an echo of the paradox of "fair is foul" in lines 140-141.
Banquo explains the witches are hallucinating and Macbeth learns that he is thane of Cawdor from Ross and Angus and Macbeth aside is showing how he really feels about all of this and how he feels about being king soon.
4. How does Macbeth explain his behavior (1.3.148-149)? How much of his thought does he plan to share with Banquo (1.3.152-154)?
Macbeth contradicts himself with his aside because he tells Banquo that he is happy and excited.
1.4
1. How did Cawdor die (1.4.1-11)? How does the King respond (1.4.11-14)? Keep these lines in mind.
Cawdor was executed after openly confessing for his treason and pleading for mercy. The king responds with he can't trust a man just according to his face.
2. How does the King greet Macbeth and Banquo (1.4.14-35)? Note the imagery of planting and growing. What announcement does the King make in lines 35-42? (Prince of Cumberland is the title of the Scottish heir apparent, like Prince of Wales for the English.) Where does the King intend to go (1.4.42-47)? How does he react in his aside to the King's announcement of his heir (1.4.48-53)? What is going on in Macbeth's mind?
The king greets Macbeth and Banquo by saying that he can never repay them for their good deeds. The king intends to propose that they will go to Macbeth's castle at Inverness and Macbeth tells himself that he needs to kill him.
1.5
1. Has Macbeth reported accurately to his wife (1.5.1-12)? How does she respond? Read her speech in lines 13-28 carefully. How does she describe Macbeth? Does this match what we have seen of him?
Macbeth is being honest with his wife but his wife, Lady Macbeth says he is playing things off as if everything is fine, but this doesn't match the characterization of Macbeth in the story right now.
2. How does Lady Macbeth respond to the news that the King is coming? Read her speech in lines 36-52 carefully. What does she intend to do? What does she have to do to herself to let that happen?
the wife was confident about the guests visit and she seemed prepared and a little cocky and the way her and her husband would handle it.
3. Who is in charge when Macbeth arrives (1.5.52-71)? Has Lady Macbeth decided what to do? Has Macbeth? What does she tell him to do, and what will she herself do?
When Macbeth arrives Lady Macbeth is in charge and she wants to kill Duncan, but he is not sure whether he wants to follow with her orders and tells him to not let Duncan see tomorrow.
4. What is Lady Macbeth's name? (A trick question-it's not in the play. But historical sources tell us her name was Gruoch and that she had a son by a previous marriage, named Lulach. See the Bedford Texts and Contexts edition of Macbeth, p. 128, with no source given there.)
Lady Macbeth's name is Grouch.
1.6
1. Read the opening speeches (1.6.1-10) carefully, noting the imagery. How honest is Lady Macbeth's welcome (1.6.10-31)?
Lady Macbeth's welcome was very sweet and not really like her lasts scenes. It shows that she is sort of fake.
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