Macbeth Study Guide 2023 Questions and Answers with
complete solution
What is the point of the first scene (literally) and in reference to the whole play?
Literally, the witches are deciding when they shall meet again. As the beginning of the
EXPOSITION, this scene sets the mood for the entire play, and introduces several
major motifs: the witches (supernatural influences in the play), the idea of fair being foul,
and the stormy fate of Scotland. The main character, Macbeth is also introduced by
name, linking him to the witches
What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald?
"Valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!"
Who is sentenced to death in act I?
The Thane of Cawdor because he was a traitor
What do the witches predict in Act I, Scene 3 for Macbeth? For Banquo?
Macbeth- Macbeth will be the Thane of Cawdor and eventually the king
Banquo- will be "lesser than Macbeth, and greater, not so happy, and yet happier" and
his children will be kings
What news does Ross bring Macbeth in Act I?
Macbeth now holds the title of the Thane of Cawdor
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
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!)
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
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
What is Lady Macbeth's "prayer" to the spirits after she learns Duncan is missing?
She wants to be filled with cruelty, given a hard heart and the thick blood necessary to
do what has to be done in order to make Macbeth king
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.
What are Macbeth's Arguments to himself against killing Duncan?
If Macbeth kills Duncan, then he is setting a precedent that subjects can kill kings and
be rewarded with the kingship (around 8-10).
Macbeth is Duncan's kinsman and his subject, as well as his host. (12-16).
Duncan is a good king and virtuous man; he has done no particular evil.
, Duncan is a popular king, and his death would bring sorrow and unrest upon Scotland
(16-20 and to end).
What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder?
She tells him not to be a coward, not to say later that he "could have been" when he
could now "be" king.
She tells him to be a man and go get what he wants.
She says if she had made the promise to do so, that she would have killed her own
baby to carry out that promise.
What is Lady Macbeth's plan?
She will drug the kings grooms (guards) with a drink. Macbeth will then go into the king's
room and murder him in his sleep. They will plant weapons to make the guards appear
guilty
What is Macbeth's lie to Banquo about the witches' predictions?
He says he does not even think about them
What is the signal Lady Macbeth is to give Macbeth to let him know that she has taken
care of the guards (grooms)?
She will ring a bell
What excuse does Lady Macbeth give for not killing Duncan herself?
He looks like her father
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
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.
Why won't Macbeth take the daggers back to the scene of the crime?
He can't bear to look at Duncan again
Who was knocking?
Macduff and Lennox
What three things does drinking provoke?
nose-painting, sleep, and urine
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"
What does Macduff discover?
Duncan's body
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"
What excuse of explanation does Macbeth give for killing the guards (grooms)? What is
his real reason?
He did it out of pain and rage, but he actually wanted to be rid of any possible witnesses
to the murder
Why do Malcolm and Donalbain leave?
They fear that the king's murderer will be after them, too
complete solution
What is the point of the first scene (literally) and in reference to the whole play?
Literally, the witches are deciding when they shall meet again. As the beginning of the
EXPOSITION, this scene sets the mood for the entire play, and introduces several
major motifs: the witches (supernatural influences in the play), the idea of fair being foul,
and the stormy fate of Scotland. The main character, Macbeth is also introduced by
name, linking him to the witches
What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald?
"Valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!"
Who is sentenced to death in act I?
The Thane of Cawdor because he was a traitor
What do the witches predict in Act I, Scene 3 for Macbeth? For Banquo?
Macbeth- Macbeth will be the Thane of Cawdor and eventually the king
Banquo- will be "lesser than Macbeth, and greater, not so happy, and yet happier" and
his children will be kings
What news does Ross bring Macbeth in Act I?
Macbeth now holds the title of the Thane of Cawdor
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
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!)
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
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
What is Lady Macbeth's "prayer" to the spirits after she learns Duncan is missing?
She wants to be filled with cruelty, given a hard heart and the thick blood necessary to
do what has to be done in order to make Macbeth king
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.
What are Macbeth's Arguments to himself against killing Duncan?
If Macbeth kills Duncan, then he is setting a precedent that subjects can kill kings and
be rewarded with the kingship (around 8-10).
Macbeth is Duncan's kinsman and his subject, as well as his host. (12-16).
Duncan is a good king and virtuous man; he has done no particular evil.
, Duncan is a popular king, and his death would bring sorrow and unrest upon Scotland
(16-20 and to end).
What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder?
She tells him not to be a coward, not to say later that he "could have been" when he
could now "be" king.
She tells him to be a man and go get what he wants.
She says if she had made the promise to do so, that she would have killed her own
baby to carry out that promise.
What is Lady Macbeth's plan?
She will drug the kings grooms (guards) with a drink. Macbeth will then go into the king's
room and murder him in his sleep. They will plant weapons to make the guards appear
guilty
What is Macbeth's lie to Banquo about the witches' predictions?
He says he does not even think about them
What is the signal Lady Macbeth is to give Macbeth to let him know that she has taken
care of the guards (grooms)?
She will ring a bell
What excuse does Lady Macbeth give for not killing Duncan herself?
He looks like her father
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
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.
Why won't Macbeth take the daggers back to the scene of the crime?
He can't bear to look at Duncan again
Who was knocking?
Macduff and Lennox
What three things does drinking provoke?
nose-painting, sleep, and urine
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"
What does Macduff discover?
Duncan's body
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"
What excuse of explanation does Macbeth give for killing the guards (grooms)? What is
his real reason?
He did it out of pain and rage, but he actually wanted to be rid of any possible witnesses
to the murder
Why do Malcolm and Donalbain leave?
They fear that the king's murderer will be after them, too
