Macbeth │ Revision Questions
QUESTION 1
I Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow.
I NOTE: Answer questions on BOTH texts!
EXTRACT A
MACBETH But wherefore could not I pronounce “Amen”?
I had most need of blessing, and “Amen”
Stuck in my throat.
LADY MACBETH These deeds must not be thought
After these ways. So, it will make us mad. 5
MACBETH Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more:
Macbeth does murder sleep”, the innocent sleep,
Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleave of care,
The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, 10
Chief nourisher in life’s feast.
LADY MACBETH What do you mean?
MACBETH Still it cried, “Sleep no more!” to all the house.
“Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor
Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.” 15
LADY MACBETH Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane,
You do unbend your noble strength to think
So brainsickly of things. Go get some water,
And wash this filthy witness from your hand.
Why did you bring these daggers from the place? 20
They must lie there. Go carry them and smear
The sleepy grooms with blood.
MACBETH I’ll go no more:
I am afraid to think what I have done;
Look on ’t again I dare not. 25
LADY MACBETH Infirm of purpose!
Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead
Are but as pictures. 'Tis the eye of childhood
That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,
I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, 30
For it must seem their guilt. [Exit]
[Act 2 Scene 2]
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, Macbeth │ Revision Questions
1.1 Briefly place the above extract in context. (2
)
1.2 Explain the irony of Macbeth’s words in lines 1 to 3. (2
)
1.3 How does Macbeth receive the title, Thane of Cawdor? (2
)
1.4 Refer to lines 18 to 19: “Go get some water, / And wash this filthy
witness from your hand.”
Comment on how the Macbeth revealed in these lines differs from the (3
Macbeth we meet later in the play. )
1.5 Refer to lines 26 to 31.
If you were the director of a production of “Macbeth”, how would you
instruct Lady Macbeth to deliver these lines? Pay specific attention to (3
body language and tone. Validate your instructions. )
AND
EXTRACT B
MACBETH She should have died hereafter.
There would have been a time for such a word.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time, 5
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage 10
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Enter a Messenger
Thou comest to use thy tongue; thy story quickly.
MESSENGER Gracious my lord,
I should report that which I say I saw, 15
But know not how to do ’t.
MACBETH Well, say, sir.
MESSENGER As I did stand my watch upon the hill,
I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought
The wood began to move. 20
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QUESTION 1
I Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow.
I NOTE: Answer questions on BOTH texts!
EXTRACT A
MACBETH But wherefore could not I pronounce “Amen”?
I had most need of blessing, and “Amen”
Stuck in my throat.
LADY MACBETH These deeds must not be thought
After these ways. So, it will make us mad. 5
MACBETH Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more:
Macbeth does murder sleep”, the innocent sleep,
Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleave of care,
The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, 10
Chief nourisher in life’s feast.
LADY MACBETH What do you mean?
MACBETH Still it cried, “Sleep no more!” to all the house.
“Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor
Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.” 15
LADY MACBETH Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane,
You do unbend your noble strength to think
So brainsickly of things. Go get some water,
And wash this filthy witness from your hand.
Why did you bring these daggers from the place? 20
They must lie there. Go carry them and smear
The sleepy grooms with blood.
MACBETH I’ll go no more:
I am afraid to think what I have done;
Look on ’t again I dare not. 25
LADY MACBETH Infirm of purpose!
Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead
Are but as pictures. 'Tis the eye of childhood
That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,
I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, 30
For it must seem their guilt. [Exit]
[Act 2 Scene 2]
1|Page
, Macbeth │ Revision Questions
1.1 Briefly place the above extract in context. (2
)
1.2 Explain the irony of Macbeth’s words in lines 1 to 3. (2
)
1.3 How does Macbeth receive the title, Thane of Cawdor? (2
)
1.4 Refer to lines 18 to 19: “Go get some water, / And wash this filthy
witness from your hand.”
Comment on how the Macbeth revealed in these lines differs from the (3
Macbeth we meet later in the play. )
1.5 Refer to lines 26 to 31.
If you were the director of a production of “Macbeth”, how would you
instruct Lady Macbeth to deliver these lines? Pay specific attention to (3
body language and tone. Validate your instructions. )
AND
EXTRACT B
MACBETH She should have died hereafter.
There would have been a time for such a word.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time, 5
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage 10
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Enter a Messenger
Thou comest to use thy tongue; thy story quickly.
MESSENGER Gracious my lord,
I should report that which I say I saw, 15
But know not how to do ’t.
MACBETH Well, say, sir.
MESSENGER As I did stand my watch upon the hill,
I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought
The wood began to move. 20
2|Page
