Macbeth questions

Questions for Macbeth:
ACT 1
1.11. By having the witches in the beginning of the play means something bad is going to happen. The witches are going to meet Macbeth.

1.21. The bloody captain talks about the war, and is a brave soldier. Macdonwald is a rebel who leads the Irish, and was split open from his navel to his jawbone and struck his head on castle walls by Macbeth. No, when Macbeth killed Macdonwald it created more problems with the rebels. As soon as the Irish soldiers were sent running for cover, the Norwegian king saw his opportunity to attack troops.

2. King Duncan says that the traitor’s title should go to Macbeth.

1.31. The witches tell each other about where they were, while the first witch describes her planned revenge on a sailor whose wife refused to share her chestnuts. The details the witches tell in the play are important, because it shows their evilness and plots for evil revenge. To prepare for Macbeth’s arrival the witches dance around in a circle.

2. Banquo says “that look not like th’inhabitants o’th’earth, and yet are on’t?” The witches had skinny lips, and had beards, which confused Banquo because women did not have beards. The witches tell Macbeth that he is Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and Macbeth shall soon be King. Macbeth is bewildered by the titles the witches gave him, because Banquo says, “Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear things that do sound so fair? -I’th’name of truth are ye fantastical, or that indeed which outwardly ye show? My noble partner you greet with present grace and great prediction of noble having and royal home that he seems rapt withal. To me you speak not.” Banquo asks the witches, “which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear your favours nor your hate,” this meaning he wants to know what is in his future. The witches tell him that he is lesser than Macbeth, and greater, he is not happy, yet happier, and his sons will be kings, but he will not.

3. Banquo explains the witches by saying “the earth hath bubbles, as the water has, and these are of them.” Macbeth learns from Ross and Angus, that he is Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is thinking about killing the king, but then reconsidering it because if he were meant to be king it would come to him as the title Thane of Cawdor did without doing anything. Macbeth does believe of what the witches have said, because so far he has won the title Thane of Cawdor, and is waiting to be king. Now that Macbeth thinks about killing the king, he does not know who he is anymore.

4. Macbeth explains that he was distracted, and he said to Banquo to think about what happened and that when they have both had time to consider things, they would talk.

1.41. Cawdor died by regretting and confessing his treasons, and begging for the king’s forgiveness. The king said that there was no way to read a man’s mind by looking at his face, and that he completely trusted Cawdor.

2. The king greets Macbeth and Banquo by thanking them for their great deeds. The king announces that his eldest son Malcolm will be Prince of Cumberland, and intends on going to Macbeths house. Macbeth thinks about how Malcolm is in his way to being the king, and thinks about either stepping over him or giving up. He then thinks about something he does not want to see, which is to kill the king.

1.51. Macbeth tells his wife about his encounter with the witches, and the titles they gave him. He also tells her how messengers of the king greeted him as Thane of Cawdor, and that he was yet to receive his title as king. Macbeth also told Lady Macbeth to keep it a secret. Lady Macbeth describes Macbeth as a one yet to be a king, but he is too nice to do what has to be done. She says that Macbeth is not a cheater, and that he wants things done for him. She says that he has ambition but he does not have what it takes to be king. So far from the way Macbeth is described, he is strong man at war but weak when it comes to killing his king. You can tell that Macbeth is not fit to be a king because he thinks about killing the king, but does not want to think about killing his highness.

2. Lady Macbeth says that the king would have to die, and that she intends on killing him. she says that she has to less like a woman and more of a man and to not feel any remorse in killing the king so that she would accomplish the murder.

3. When Macbeth arrives Lady Macbeth is in charge and she will handle the nights preparations that could change their lives forever. Lady Macbeth decides that Macbeth is to be the innocent flower and he is to greet the king, but be the serpent underneath the flower. Lady Macbeth decides to be the one to kill the king.

4. Lady Macbeth’s name is Gruoch.

1.61. Lady Macbeth, cleans up the house, and thanks them for their honor and gratitude. Lady Macbeth also says that they are servants to them, and that they are welcome in their house.

1.71. Macbeth is at the point to where he wants to get the murder over with, yet he contradicts himself. He is worried about how committing violence because what goes around comes around. He is worried that he is trusted by the king, and should protect the king, yet he is going to kill the king.

2. Lady Macbeth is complaining about how Macbeth is going to meet the king. Macbeth says that he does not want to go on with the murder because the king has just honored him, and he wanted to enjoy the honor instead of throwing it away. When Lady Macbeth responds to Macbeth, she makes him feel bad and puts him down by saying that he was a coward. While Macbeth fears to kill the king, his wife says that she had once cared for a baby, and would kill it if she sworn she would. Lady Macbeth is the stronger person in this scene, because she motivates Macbeth into killing the king. He looks up to her and says that she shall only give birth to boys, because she is so masculine.

ACT 2
2.11. The purpose of the opening of 2.1 (lines 1-9) is that Banquo thinks about the witches in his dreams, and does not want to think about it anymore. Banquo tells Macbeth that he had a dream about the witches, and that part of what they said was true about Macbeth. Macbeth said that if they had spare time they could talk about it later, and that if he were to stick with him, there would be something in for Banquo. Banquo then said that he would do whatever as long as he could do it with a clear conscience.

2. Macbeth starts to hallucinate as he sees a bloody dagger before him. He explains the dagger as if it is floating leading him to the direction of the king. Macbeth knows there is no dagger, but sees the dagger because the murder he is about to commit is making him think he sees it.

2.21. Lady Macbeth had drunk alcohol, which made her become bold and fired up. She talks about how the servants are all drunk as if they were dead, and that Macbeth would be killing the king. She then starts to get scared because she thinks that the servants are awake and that Macbeth did not do the deed. Lady Macbeth did not want to be the one to murder the king because Duncan reminded her of her father as he slept, and if he did not she would have killed him herself.

2. When Macbeth enters with two bloody daggers he tells Lady Macbeth that he has killed the king. Macbeth is afraid that the servants heard the murder that he has committed, and is frightened by their prayers, because he feels as if they saw his bloody daggers. Lady Macbeth says that Malcolm and Donaldbain are asleep in the same room, and for Macbeth not to worry about it so much. Macbeth is started to get scared, and he carried the daggers out with him. Lady Macbeth says that he should have left the daggers inside, but Macbeth is too afraid to go back and return them. Lady Macbeth says he is a coward, and returns the daggers back herself.

2.31. The porter is drunk and is knocking the Macbeth’s door. He is pretending that he is a gatekeeper/porter in hell.

2. In lines 50-59 the Lennox talks to Macbeth about the bad night that was unknowingly caused by Macbeth killing the king.

3. Macduff reports that the king has died; Macbeth and Lady Macbeth act as if they were both shocked of the news. Malcolm and Donaldbain decide to leave because danger may be waiting to strike them at any moment and time. Malcolm decides to go to England, while Donaldbain goes to Ireland. Both Malcolm and Donaldbain expect that they will be murdered just as the king if they stay any longer.

2.41. The Old Man and Ross talk about the horrors of the night, and how it effected the following days. Macduff says that the prime suspects of the murder of the king are his two sons Malcolm and Donaldbain. Macbeth is now going to Scone to be pronounced as king, while Macduff goes to Fife.

ACT 3
3.11. Banquo suspects that Macbeth cheated his way into getting all of the titles the weird sisters said he would, including killing Duncan.

2. Macbeth learns that Banquo is riding with his son Fleance far away and is going to be back before the feast. Macbeth says that Malcolm and Donaldbain have not confessed the murder of their father, and that they were making up lies to tell their hosts.

3. Macbeth is only fears Banquo because of his wisdom to act bravely but also safely. Macbeth says that Banquo is willingly able to take risks and his mind never stops working. Macbeth is afraid that he killed the king not for his sake, but for an easy throne to Banquo’s sons. He is afraid that he killed the king for the wrong reasons, and that he will have no one to pass on his royalty because he has no sons, unlike Banquo.



4. Macbeth lies to the murderers and tells them that Banquo is the enemy, and that he Macbeth himself is not the enemy they suspected he was. Macbeth explains how Banquo deceived everyone, and that Macbeth is not healthy until Banquo and his son are both murdered.

3.21. Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he is afraid that their murder will come back to haunt them later in life, and that he is feeling guilty for the murder that they committed. Macbeth feels that even though Duncan is dead, he is trouble free and he can no longer feel pain, and yet Macbeth feels pain for his murder. Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that a deed will be done, but she does not know that Macbeth has ordered murderers to kill Banquo and his sons, he rather tell her once the deed is over with.

3.31. At first the two murderers were wondering why the third murderer was there to join them, but the third murderer explained that Macbeth sent him. The second murderer then said that he could be trusted because he was sent to do exactly the same thing they were suppose to do.

2. The murderers only finished half of their mission, because they only had one body. They were successful in getting Banquo, but not his son Fleance.

3.41. When the First Murderer appears at the banquet, Macbeth learns that he was able to cut the throat of Banquo, but he was not able to cut the throat of Fleance because he escaped.

Macbeth starts to feel scared, because Fleance was not dead and may be a threat to him. Macbeth then decides to entertain his guests, because for now Fleance is no harm, but Macbeth will have to watch out for him later.

2. Banquo’s ghost appears at Macbeth’s chair, and only Macbeth can see the ghost of Banquo. While Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost he talks to it, causing Lady Macbeth to tell the guests not to pay attention to Macbeth. Macbeth finds that his hallucinations of Banquo’s haunting are stranger than murder. When Macbeth starts talking nonsense, Lady Macbeth tells the guests to leave immediately without leaving in the order of rank.

3. Macbeth’s next problem person is Fleance because he escaped. Macbeth will go meet the witches.

3.51. Hecate complains that the witches gave Macbeth prophecies without consulting her. Hecate tells the witches to meet her in the pit of Acheron in the morning, where Macbeth is to meet his destiny.

3.61. Lennox talks sarcastically about the deaths that have happened under Macbeth. Lennox is maybe telling him that Malcolm may be next. Macduff goes to England to help overthrow Macbeth as king.

2. Macduff went to King Edward for help to form an alliance with the people of Northumberland and their lord, Siward. When a messenger was sent to Macduff to return to Scotland, he refused to return while the messenger scowled as he turned his back from Macduff.

3. What is the function of this scene in the play?

ACT 4
4.11. In this scene seven witches appear.


2. The first apparition tells Macbeth about his fear Thane of Fife, Macduff. The second apparition tells Macbeth to be strong and that no one can harm him. The third apparition tells Macbeth to be proud and brave like a lion and to not worry about anybody. The third apparition tells Macbeth that he cannot be defeated until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him. After the first three apparitions Macbeth feels safe and confident, but is bothered by wanting to know about Banquo’s sons. Macbeth should not feel safe, because he does not know about what the witches are cooking up for him in their cauldron. After the fourth, the line of kings, Macbeth starts to get angry, and does not want to see the truth that is about to come. He realizes that the kings are Banquo’s descendants who are kings from other countries.

3. Macbeth learns from Lennox that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth plans to seize the town of Fife, and invade Macduff’s castle and to kill his wife, children, and anyone who stands in the line of Macduff’s inheritance.

4.21. When Lady Macduff’s reacted towards her husband’s departure for England she was angry, because he left his family and children in a place so unsafe, that even he fled from it. Lady Macduff says that because Macduff left, people may think that he is a traitor.

2. Lady Macduff talks to her son about a life with no father and traitors. She also questions him about what he will do without a father in his life. The son replies that he will live like birds, and live in whatever he gets, and be pitiful so that no hunter will want him.

3. Lady Macduff’s son is stabbed to death while Lady Macduff runs away crying, “murder!”

4.31. We know that Macduff’s son and wife are dead.

2. The main issue between Malcolm and Macduff in the first part of the scene is that Macduff’s family is dead. Malcolm is suspicious of Macduff because he thinks that he will be sacrificed for Macbeth. Macduff responds that he will never be the villain that Malcolm thinks he would be even if he were offered Macbeth’s kingdom.

3. Malcolm says that he is not made to be king, and Macduff says that he should not be afraid to take the crown that belongs to him. Macduff is more bothered more by avarice in a king, than lust. Malcolm’s character surprises Macduff because Malcolm was hope for a better king, and because his father, Duncan was a virtuous king, and his mother always prayed.

4. When Macduff leaves he changes Malcolm’s mind by proving his integrity, which lets him see Macduff as honorable and trustworthy. Malcolm tells Macduff that what he describes as being his character is not true at all. He is not a liar, who never lied in his life, except for that exact moment of when he described his false self. Malcolm is actually ready to serve his country, and his people. He was often tricked by Macbeth, which made it hard for him to believe people too quickly. Before Macduff arrived, Malcolm was preparing for battle with old Siward and ten thousand men. Now they are to fight Macbeth together.

5. King Edward leaves his ability to heal to his royal descendants. Unlike the present king of Scotland Macbeth, King Edward can heal others, and is graced by God.

6. Ross says that Scotland is falling apart and is not the same place of where they were born. Ross told them that there were rumors about armies that were ready to rebel against Macbeth, and when he saw Macbeth’s army on the move, it must have been true. Now he is asking for help, and that even women would fight to get rid of Macbeth. Because Ross took a while to give the message, Macduff says, “ Be not a niggard of your speech. How goes’t” Ross also gives a message to Macduff saying that his family was slaughtered in his castle. Macduff responds, with sadness and regret for not being there for his family. He is angry that his wife and his children were killed, while Macbeth has no children. It could be Malcolm, but it sounds as if it is more towards Macbeth, because he is the one causing all the problems. To be a “man” in this play means fight your battles and to fight anything that evil brings.

7. At the end of this scene, Malcolm, Macduff, and Ross, are ready to fight Macbeth.

ACT 5
5.11. The gentlewoman has seen Lady Macbeth sleepwalking, writes on paper, and falls back to sleep. The gentlewoman won’t tell the doctor what she heard Lady Macbeth say because there was no one there to witness what she said.

2. Lady Macbeth reveals that there are spots on her hands that she cannot wash off. The spots refer to Duncan, in which she hallucinates on the bloodstains she cannot wash off in her mind. She also talks about Banquo and what is done is done. The doctor says that people with deranged minds will eventually tell their hidden secrets, and that Lady Macbeth does not need a doctor, but a priest to tell her confessions. The doctor suggests that the gentlewoman should take away anything that may hurt Lady Macbeth, and to keep an eye on her.

5.21. The soldiers are heading to Birnam Woods, and are on the sides of Malcolm, Siward, and Macduff. The mentions of Birnam Wood and Dunsinane remind us of how the witches said that Macbeth could not be taken down unless he goes to battle there.

5.31. The servant tells Macbeth that the English army with ten thousand soldiers is coming for Macbeth. Macbeth says that he is not afraid because, until Birnam Wood gets up and moves to Dunsinane he would not be affected by fear. Macbeth thinks that he cannot have love, honor, obedience and loyal friends. He also thinks that he lived a long life that is beginning to wither away.

2. The doctor tells Macbeth that Lady Macbeth is not sick, but is troubled and cannot sleep. Macbeth then tells him to cure his wife, or to erase her memory of sorrow, and to ease her heart and brain. Macbeth tells the doctor that he wishes the doctor could examine his country and to cure it back to health.

5.41. Malcolm tells the soldiers to break off a branch and hold it in front of them so Macbeth’s spies will give him inaccurate reports. This will ruin Macbeth’s plan of war, and he will be outnumbered.

5.51. “The cry of women” signifies that Lady Macbeth is dead. When Macbeth heard the cries he started to remember what fear sounded like. Macbeth says that Lady Macbeth were to die sometime anyway, if not today tomorrow and the next and the next day. He says that life is just an illusion, and an idiot tells its story. He also says that he is tired of living, and that and he would like to see chaos and would rather die fighting with their armors on.

2. The messenger brings news to Macbeth that he saw the forest beginning to move. Macbeth does not believe the messenger’s news and says that if he is a liar he will be hanged and visa versa. Macbeth starts to doubt what the witches told him, which is now lies that sounded like the truth. At the end of the scene Macbeth does not care, and fights with his armor, to enter chaos without fear.

5.61. In this scene they are to throw down their branches and fight the battle. Siward and his son are mentioned because

5.71. Macbeth’s attitude at the beginning of the scene is that he can no longer run away and he is to stand and fight like a bear. When he encounters Young Siward they fight and Young Siward is killed by Macbeth.

5.8 (5.7 continues in most editions)1. Macduff is looking for Macbeth because if he does not kill him himself his wife and children’s ghost will haunt him forever.

5.9 (5.7 continues in most editions)1. Malcolm and Siward are able to enter the castle so easily because the castle has surrendered and Macbeth’s soldiers are fighting on both sides.

5.10 (5.8 in most editions)1. Macduff tells Macbeth that he was not born naturally but cut for his mothers womb. When Macbeth learns of what Macduff told him, his courage is frightened away and he no longer want to fight Macduff. He also gets mad at the witches for tricking him into mind games. If Macbeth does not fight he will die, and he chooses to fight because he wants to fight to the end.

5.11 (5.8 continues in most editions)1. Siward is not upset, but is happier that he died as God’s soldier and he died more honorably than he did.

2. Malcolm should be promised because he is not a liar. Lady Macbeth was a violent woman.