Macbeth Study Guide Questions and Answers Graded A+

Macbeth Study Guide Questions and Answers Graded A+ The witches' refrain serves as foreshadowing, as an example of paradox, contradiction and as one of the themes of the drama. Quote it. (line 10) - "Fair is foul, and foul is fair Hover through the fog and filthy air." What is the meaning of this refrain? - Goodness is really unclean - Things might be opposite than they appear. (Although Macbeth appears brave - he might be the opposite on the inside.) What quality of Macbeth does the Sergeant mention? (line 16) - Bravery What had Macbeth done to earn this praise? (lines 16-23) - Macbeth is the hero of the day for killing the rebel, Macdonwald, in hand-to-hand combat and helping to defeat the Norwegians What reward is bestowed upon Macbeth? (line 65) - The traitor, Thane of Cawdor, his title will be given to Macbeth List the witches' predictions that are given to Macbeth. (lines 48-50) - Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and later King What effect do those predictions have on Macbeth? What might this reveal about Macbeth? (lines 70-78) - "Wait! You only told me part of what I want to know. Stay and tell me more" He's ambitious List the predictions that are given to Banquo. (lines 65-67 and line 86) - Your descendants will be kings, even though you will not be one. (Your children shall be kings.) What warning does Banquo give Macbeth in lines 108, 123-126? - This is strange. The agents of evil often tell us part of the truth in order to lead us to our destruction. How is Macbeth affected mentally, emotionally, and morally by the realization that one of the predictions has come true? (Read the asides in lines 116-146 without the intervening comments to get the full impact of Macbeth's secret thoughts. - Macbeth realizes the witches' prediction coming true about his becoming Thane of Cawdor suggests that the other prediction - that he will become king - is true and this frightens him because he is already thinking about murdering King Duncan. What does King Duncan mean by lines 12-14? - There's no way to read a man's mind by looking at his face. I trusted Cawdor completely. What dramatic irony might be in Macbeth's entry immediately after this speech by Duncan? - King Duncan says that he owes Macbeth more than he could ever repay him, but of course we know that King Duncan says that he owes Macbeth more than he could ever repay him, but of course we know that What public announcement does Duncan make as to his successor on the throne, the Prince of Cumberland? (lines 37-39 - "I want you to witness that I will bestow my kingdom on my eldest son, Malcolm. Today I name him the prince of Cumberland." In the aside, lines 48-53, what is Macbeth's reaction to the announcement? What might be his "black and deep desires"? - Macbeth secretly wants to be king, but Duncan has named his son, Malcolm, as his successor, which suggests Malcolm is in Macbeth's way. How does Lady Macbeth analyze Macbeth's character? In what way does she present the ambivalence of his character? (lines 15-22 - She is suggesting that although she knows that Macbeth is ambitious and wants to be king; at the same time he is too soft and not ruthless enough to do what he will need to do (murder Duncan) in order to be king.