Macbeth Study Guide / Revised Questions and
Answers / Guaranteed Pass
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 could be a good king but lacks the hardheartedness and plans to
talk him into it
After Macbeth kills Duncan, he goes to Lady Macbeth and is concerned about not being able to say
"Amen." What is her advice to him? - She tells him to not think about it so much, or it will make
them crazy
Banquo, like Macbeth, is surprised that the witches have predicted Macbeth's new title. He is, however,
leery. What does he say about the motives of the "instruments of darkness"? - They often tell of
good things, which may happen without telling the bad consequences
How does Lady Macbeth cover for Macbeth at the banquet? What excuses does she give for Macbeth's
wild talk? - She tells the guests that he often has these fits, that those who know him well have
learned to ignore them. When Macbeth really gets out of hand, she sends the guests home.
How does Lennox describe the night, and what is Macbeth's response? - Lennox goes through a
great description of the terrible night saying it predicted terrible, confusing times ahead. Macbeth
brushes it off by saying it was a "rough night"
How does Macbeth die? - Macduff beheads him
Macbeth says (about the witches), "Infected be the air whereon they ride, And damned all those that
trust them!" What is Macbeth, in effect, saying about himself? - He is damned
Macbeth says, "I am in blood Stepped in so far that should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as
go o'er." What does he mean? - There is no going back now. Macbeth is committed to this course
of action, whatever terrible things he may yet have to do.
, Macbeth says, "Stars, hide your fires. Let not light see my black and deep desires." What are his desires?
- He now desires to be king, and he realizes that something will have to be done with the present
king (and his sons) before his desires can become reality
Macbeth says, "The worm that's fled Hath nature that in time will venom breed, No teeth for the
present." What does that mean? - Fleance will be a problem in the future, since he will have
children who will become kings, but for now Macbeth can let him go and deal with other things because
Fleance is of no immediate threat to him personally.
Macduff says, "Oh, gentle lady, 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak. The repetition in a woman's ear,
Would murder as it fell." What is ironic about this? - Lady Macbeth was a determining force in the
death of Duncan. She is no "lady"
Malcolm describes Cawdor's last moments before execution. What is Duncan's reply? - You can't
tell what is in a person's heart by looking at his face. (Things are not what they seem!)
Then, Macbeth is worried about hearing a voice saying "Macbeth does murder sleep" What does Lady
Macbeth tell him to do? - She tells him to go get water and wash "this filthy witness" from his
hands.
What 4 things do the witches show Macbeth? What does each show/say? What is Macbeth's reaction? -
a. armed head—beware Macduff
b. bloody child—not be harmed by anyone born from a woman
c. crowned child with tree in hand—not be vanquished until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane
d. eight kings followed by Banquo's ghost with a mirror—Banquo's descendants will be kings
What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home? - He must learn to look
innocent even when his heart is full of evil. He has to learn to hide his true feelings.
Answers / Guaranteed Pass
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 could be a good king but lacks the hardheartedness and plans to
talk him into it
After Macbeth kills Duncan, he goes to Lady Macbeth and is concerned about not being able to say
"Amen." What is her advice to him? - She tells him to not think about it so much, or it will make
them crazy
Banquo, like Macbeth, is surprised that the witches have predicted Macbeth's new title. He is, however,
leery. What does he say about the motives of the "instruments of darkness"? - They often tell of
good things, which may happen without telling the bad consequences
How does Lady Macbeth cover for Macbeth at the banquet? What excuses does she give for Macbeth's
wild talk? - She tells the guests that he often has these fits, that those who know him well have
learned to ignore them. When Macbeth really gets out of hand, she sends the guests home.
How does Lennox describe the night, and what is Macbeth's response? - Lennox goes through a
great description of the terrible night saying it predicted terrible, confusing times ahead. Macbeth
brushes it off by saying it was a "rough night"
How does Macbeth die? - Macduff beheads him
Macbeth says (about the witches), "Infected be the air whereon they ride, And damned all those that
trust them!" What is Macbeth, in effect, saying about himself? - He is damned
Macbeth says, "I am in blood Stepped in so far that should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as
go o'er." What does he mean? - There is no going back now. Macbeth is committed to this course
of action, whatever terrible things he may yet have to do.
, Macbeth says, "Stars, hide your fires. Let not light see my black and deep desires." What are his desires?
- He now desires to be king, and he realizes that something will have to be done with the present
king (and his sons) before his desires can become reality
Macbeth says, "The worm that's fled Hath nature that in time will venom breed, No teeth for the
present." What does that mean? - Fleance will be a problem in the future, since he will have
children who will become kings, but for now Macbeth can let him go and deal with other things because
Fleance is of no immediate threat to him personally.
Macduff says, "Oh, gentle lady, 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak. The repetition in a woman's ear,
Would murder as it fell." What is ironic about this? - Lady Macbeth was a determining force in the
death of Duncan. She is no "lady"
Malcolm describes Cawdor's last moments before execution. What is Duncan's reply? - You can't
tell what is in a person's heart by looking at his face. (Things are not what they seem!)
Then, Macbeth is worried about hearing a voice saying "Macbeth does murder sleep" What does Lady
Macbeth tell him to do? - She tells him to go get water and wash "this filthy witness" from his
hands.
What 4 things do the witches show Macbeth? What does each show/say? What is Macbeth's reaction? -
a. armed head—beware Macduff
b. bloody child—not be harmed by anyone born from a woman
c. crowned child with tree in hand—not be vanquished until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane
d. eight kings followed by Banquo's ghost with a mirror—Banquo's descendants will be kings
What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home? - He must learn to look
innocent even when his heart is full of evil. He has to learn to hide his true feelings.
