Macbeth Act I Questions

Macbeth Study Questions
ACT I

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?
     -The mood is: gloomy, dark, threatening

     -The witches could symbolize a few things. A) The three fates, B) An irony of the holy trinity as Christianity tells it, and C) They could also represent the evil and duplicity. They only truly predict two events, Banquo's sons will be Kings and Macbeth will be King.

     -They are definitely witches! They make predictions, cast spells, can disappear without a trace, and have animal familiars.

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?
     -“Fair is foul, and foul is fair” most likely means that the play's characters, actions, motives, and outcomes will become convoluted. Deception will run rampant and foul things ie lying, murder, betrayal will also be prominent.

3) How can a battle be “Lost and won”? What foreshadow might this set-up? What is the real battle in this play?
     -A battle can be won, but by loosing a lot of men or loosing respect or something of equal value, the battle could be not worth it.

     -Obviously Macbeth (and the entire play) is going to gain a lot, but the winning probably won't won't be worth the effort.

     -The battle will be set up as a battle pitting what is thought of good and evil against each other.

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?
    -The play is set up by outside forces. The evil is setting up Macbeth and the others to use their shortcomings against them to bring Chaos and harm.

           -The power is held by others, not by the characters themselves.

    -They can symbolize demons

Scene 2

1) What does the bloody man report?
     -That Macbeth fought bravely and won the battle for King Duncan.
     -The Norwegian king surrendered to the Scots

2) Why is Macdonwald a worthy rebel?
     -He is merciless, a betrayer, and barely puts up a fight in comparison with Macbeth.


3) What similes or metaphors does the captain (the bloody man) use to describe Macbeth and Banquo? What is significant about these descriptions?
     -Macbeth: Valour's minion
     -Both Banquo and Macbeth: Eagles, lions
     -He is showing them great respect by comparing them so favorably. It also shows the power they hold as thanes and men. Perhaps this is a hint of sorts. They are powerful, but power can be either used for good or evil.

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.
     -Golgotha is the site where Christ was crucified according to the Christian religion.
     -A site where someone is killed is never pleasant. Macbeth was creating a place that death stewed. He is clearly blood thirsty and can create this unhappiness that is battle with ease. This ease can translate into an ability off the battlefield as well.

5) Who was Scotland fighting?
      -Norway

Scene 3

1) Why do the witches talk in poetry?
      -It is supposed to be reminiscent of traditional spell casting and also to emphasize their words.

2) What do the witches predict for Macbeth? What is the dramatic irony involved?
     -They predict that he will be made thane of Cawdor and King eventually. One of the predictions is actually just a deliverance of news, as Macbeth had already been made thane of Cawdor. However, to an unknowing Macbeth, this sounds like a prediction.

3) What do they witches predict for Banquo? What irony is involved in this promise?
     -The witches predict that Banquo's sons will be Kings.
     -Banquo is both the looser and winner in this situation. Although he is included in a sense in the prophecies, he does not benefit directly. At the time this probably seems very unfair, but we also know that because of the prophecies bestowed upon Macbeth, great unhappiness comes to him. Banquo will not suffer so greatly as he is not directly involved in the prophecy.

4) What is your first impression of Macbeth in scenes ii-iii? What is your first impression of Banquo?
     -Macbeth appears to be very hot headed, with a warrior's temperament. He is ambitious, brave, and a proven warrior.
     -Banquo is the more reasonable and foresighted of the two. He has great battle prowess, but is definitely Macbeth's "side-kick".

5) How do Macbeth and Banquo differ in their reactions to the witches predictions? What does this tell us about their characters?
     -Macbeth sees the witches and hear the prophecy and is immediately convinced of their truth. He wonders how and what will cause this to happen, but in a more curious and a less cautious way.
     -Banquo encounters the witches and upon hearing the prophecy is very cautious and tells Macbeth to disregard the possibly duplicitous witches.
     -Banquo is cautious and the cautious usually survive. Macbeth will be brash, brave, and probably not survive.

6) What message does Ross bring?
     -Ross tells Banquo and Macbeth that Macbeth is now the thane of Cawdor by King Duncan's orders.

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 speaks this rather wise quote. This means often times people or things(instruments of darkness) will use the knowledge of what someone wants against them. They do not tell lies, but rather convince the people of what to do. This essentially wraps up the entire play and Macbeth's fate in one tidy package. In my mind, this also counts as a foreshadow.

Scene 4

1) What is Malcolm’s description of Cawdor’s execution?
-He goes to death as if he has practiced it

2) What is the King’s response to this description?
-He says you can never guess a man's character by his face.
-He says this because of the betrayal, as Cawdor was one of Duncan's closest confidants.

3) Who does the King name as his successor? How does Macbeth react to this information?
-Malcolm, his son, is the successor
-Macbeth is not pleased by the news; it is just one more thing to get in the way of him being King of Scotland

4) “Stars hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires. The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.” Who speaks this quote and what is the significance of it?
-Macbeth says this
-He plans on doing the act (killing Duncan) despite misgivings. He doesn't want anyone to know what he is thinking or planning, even heaven above.

Scenes 5-7

1. After Lady Macbeth reads the letter, what does she tell us is her opinion of Macbeth, and how does she plan to help him?
-She thinks he has ambition, but not the grit to carry out the plans that will enable him to acquire his desires.

2. What is Lady Macbeth’s “prayer” to the spirits after she learns Duncan is missing?
-Asks them to take away any human emotions in her.
-Invites spirits into the house

3. What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home?
-Look like an innocent flower, but be the serpent beneath it.
-AKA Look perfect and innocent (physically and verbally) but be ready to annihilate anyone in your path.

4. What are Macbeth’s arguments to himself against killing Duncan ?
-Duncan is a GREAT king
-Duncan is his uncle
-Duncan is a guest and you are supposed to protect, not kill or harm, your guests

5. What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder?
-She says he is cowardly and not a man if he won't kill him
-She says she could kill her own son for this, so essentially guilt trips him

6. What is Lady Macbeth’s plan?
-Drug the guards, kill Duncan while he is sleeping (with guards daggers), then finally blame the death on his guards.

FIVE ELEMENTS OF TRAGEDY:
1) Play must have a tragic hero
2) The hero must be fated to fall
3) The hero must have dramatic foils
4) The hero must have internal and external conflicts
5) The play raised some question about the nature of existence

ELEMENTS OF A TRAGIC HERO:
1) The tragic hero is a man of noble stature. Usually he is of noble birth
2) The tragic hero is good, though not perfect, and his fall results from his committing what Aristoltle calls “an act of injustice” either through ignorance or from a conviction that some greater good will be served. This act is, never-the-less, a criminal one ad the good hero is responsible for it even if he is totally unaware. Translated: the hero is usually virtuous in many ways, loyal to friends and family, has high moral standards, but some flaw in personality and it is this flaw that causes his downfall.
3) The hero’s misfortunate is not wholly deserved and the punishment far exceeds the crime. The audience leaves saddened by the sense of waste of human potential.
4) Though the hero may be defeated, he has dared greatly, and he gains understanding from his defeat and must become an example for others.
(Simplified: 1) Noble birth and of noble character; 2) Virtuous and loyal; 3) Has a tragic flaw; 4) Tragic flaw causes downfall; 5) The audience learns something through the characters failing).