Review for Macbeth

MACBETH REVIEW GUIDE

Things to know:

• List the five elements of tragedy
-Must have a tragic hero
-The hero must be fated to fall
-Internal and external conflicts
-The must be dramatic foils
-The play questions the nature of existence. 


• List the five elements of a tragic hero
-Must be born into a royal family
-Must be loyal and virtuous 
-Must have a tragic flaw
-Must must cause downfall
-Audience learns from the hero's experience. 


• Discuss Macbeth’s tragic flaw
-Blind ambition, if he wants something, he will do anything to get it and he doesn't really care. 


• Discuss who wins in Macbeth and why? Who is the hero?
The witches or Malcolm. The witches because in the beginning, you could tell that they were messing with Macbeth and they were looking for trouble, and they got what they wanted. Malcolm because although he lost his father, he still has his brother and he became king. 


• Define soliloquy and monologue and point to examples from Macbeth
-Soliloquy- One person alone on stage speaking his/her inter thoughts to the audience. Lady Macbeth after she gets Macbeth's letter, Banquo talking after Macbeth has become king. 
-Monologue- A long speech with other people in stage. Malcolm speech at the end after he was crowned king, Lady Macbeth telling Macbeth he wasn't a man unless he killed Duncan. 


• Outline the plot according to the six elements of plot: exposition, inciting event, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution (give at least three events for the rising and falling action)
Exposition- The war as reported by the bloody captain, the witches talking about when they are going to meet Macbeth. 
Inciting event- The witches telling Macbeth that he is going be become Thane of Cawdore, that he will become king, and that Banquo's sons will be kings. 
Rising Action- Killing Duncan, the porter scene, and the killing of Banquo
Climax- Macbeth ordering Macduff's household. 
Falling action- Macduff talking to Malcolm, Lady Macbeth dying, the army marching to Dunsinane
Resolution- Macbeth is dead and Malcolm becomes king. 


• Identify the following characters and discuss they roles in the play (Who they are, What they do, Why the do what they do)

Macbeth
-Protagonist, he is a dynamic character, in the beginning he is a loyal and virtuous soldier, then he has the idea that he will become king stuck in his head and he turns bad. 


 Macduff 
-He is a symbol of gods appointed avenger. He is the person who sets things right. 


The Porter
-He is the drunken doorkeeper. He provides comic releif. He also metaphorically sets up the castle as hell. 


Lady Macbeth
-She is the one that pushes Macbeth to killing Duncan, without her that he might not have killed Duncan. She is also known as the fourth witch because she summons evil spirits into the castle. 


 Lady Macduff 
-She is represents the innocence of the kingdom that Macbeth is going to kill off just for the heck of it. After this we see everyone leaving Macbeth. 


The Witches
-They are the ones that start that play by planting the idea of being king in Macbeth's head. They also reresent the Good vs. Elvil theme because they present good things but bad thing come because if them. 


Duncan
-He is the king of Scotland until he is killed by Macbeth. He was known to be a very good king. 


 Lennox
-He was at the door with Macduff after Duncan was killed, he was also the last thane to leave Macbeth's side. 


The Doctor
-He states that Lady Macbeth has gone insane, he also learns why. Then he tells Macbeth that her kind of insanity can not be cured. 


Malcolm 
-He is Duncan's first born son, he leaves after the murder of his father to england, then he comes back with Macduff and becomes king. 


Ross
-He tells Macduff that all of his family has been slain.

 The Bloody Captain
-He reports to Duncan that Macbeth and Banquo are great fighters and about the battles. 


Donalbain
-He is Duncan's second born son and he runs away to Ireland to get away from whoever killed his father. 


 Seyton
-He tells Macbeth the his wife is dead. He is symbolically an evil agent. And he become Macbeth chef in the end. 


 Fleance
-He is Banquo's son who got away from the murders. This news soils Macbeth's future plans because he wants his own sons to become king. 


Banquo 
-He was Macbeth's best friend until he was murdered. He was part of the predictions with the witches, and Macbeth was scared of him because he knew to much and needed to be gotten rid of. 


Menteith 
-He is a symbol of the Scottish lords who have rebelled against Macbeth. 


Siward
-He is Malcolm Uncle and he agrees to lead the army that goes and attacks Macbeth's castle. 

• Discuss and give examples of the following THEMES:

--Blind Ambition
-Macbeth having the murderers kill Banquo and Fleance so the Macbeth's sons will be kings. Also him killing Duncan in order to become king.



--The Corruption of Power
-Macbeth killing Macduff's family because he feels he can do whatever he wants and he doesn't treat anyone well and ordered all the cowards to be killed.



--Appearance vs. Reality
The witches predictions because the predictions themselves are good but the things needed to be done for the predictions to be true and evil. Donalbain and Malcom fleeing after the killing of their father, people thinking that they left because they killing their father, but they were trying to stay safe.



--Superstition and how it affects human behavior
-Macbeth's believing the prophesies and that Macbeth stresses out over them. Lady Macbeth inviting the evil spirits in and her becoming emotionless.



--Good vs. Evil
-The witches are evil and are looking to corrupt the goodness of Macbeth. Lady Macbeth inviting the evil spirits into the castle, so the castle which was once a peaceful place and is now evil. 
 • Discuss the following symbols/motifs (what people and/or ideas the represent and connect them to a theme)

--washing of hands
cleaning your conscience of the guilty deeds.


--blood

-Life and death or evil deeds. 


--planting of seeds, things growing
-the witches plating the seed of Macbeth being king, Duncan planting the seed that is Macbeth and him raising Macbeth



--the atmosphere of Macbeth’s castle
Evil, Hell. 


--spells or chants and supernatural beings
Evil, superstition, good vs. evil, superstition and how it effects human behavior.



--weather
The give that play a evil and bad feeling, the weather is sort of a foreshadow to what is about to happen. It sets the mood. 


 --daggers
-symbols of evil



--spirits, scorpions, snakes and things in the mind
superstition and how is effects human behavior, appearance vs. reality. 

--birds and flying:
Eagles- Banquo and Macbeth (beginning of the play)
Crows- The murderers 
Sparrows- The Norwegian soldiers 
Geese- The English soldiers 
Owl- Macbeth (after his fall) 
Wren- Lady Macduff 
Martlet- The bird that sets up the peace and good of Inverness before Lady Macbeth lets in the evil spirits  
Falcon- Duncan

• Identify the speaker and the significant of important and famous quotes from the following characters:

Witches,
Act 1 scene 1
Act 1 scene 3
Act 3 scene 1 

Apparitions,
Act 4 scene 1


Banquo,
Act 1 scene 3
Act 3 scene 1

Duncan, 
Act 1 scene 4


Macduff,
Act 2 scene 3
Act 4 scene 3


Malcolm, 
Act 5 scene 9
Act 4 scene 3


Macbeth,
Act 2 scene 1
Act 3 scene 1 
Act 3 scene 4

Lady Macbeth, 
Act 1 scene 5


The Bloody Captain, 
Act 1 scene 2


Lady Macduff,
Act 4 scene 2

Ross
Act 4 scene 3


• Know and review your study questions for each Act (you should have done these for homework). Some of these questions will be on the test.

Act V Study Questions

MACBETH: Study Questions—ACT 5

Scene 1

1) What do the nurse (gentlewoman) and the doctor see?
-Lady Macbeth sleep walking and talking. 


2) What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!...will these hands never be clean.”
-When she and Macbeth kill Duncan, she said she needed to wash her hands of the deed for it to be gone. Now, the guilt is overwhelming and the spots of blood represent each murder. 


3) What is wrong with Lady Macbeth at this point of the play?
-She is overwhelmed with guilt.


 Scene 2

1) What happens in this scene? What new characters are introduced? Why?
The Scottish forces talk about meeting up the English forces at Birnam woods. The new characters are Angus, Menteith, and Caithness. They appear to show that there are a lot of people against Macbeth, even the Scottish.



2) What is the significance of the scene?
-This scene shows that there are a lot of people against Macbeth, even the Scottish.



3) What is meant when Caithness says, “Some say he’d mad; others that lesser hate him do call it valiant fury”?
-People who hate with thin he had gone crazy and people who like him or agree with him think he is acting valiantly.



Scene 3

1) How would you describe Macbeth’s attitude and mood in this scene?
-Macbeth seems nervous and somewhat scared. he tries to calm himself down by going over the vision that the witches told him. 


2) Why isn’t Macbeth afraid? Do his soldier’s seem afraid? Why or why not?
-He isn't afraid because because one of the visions was that no man born a woman could hurt him. Also, he thought the tree couldn't attack his castle, so he thought he was set go to. Yes, they are scared because Macbeth is going crazy and threatening to kill anyone who seems afraid, and the English army is coming. 


Scene 4

1) What does Malcolm order the soldiers to do?
- To chop down limbs of trees in the forest and every soldier will be carrying a tree so they can't see the numbers they have. 


Scene 5

1) What is meant when Macbeth says, “She should have died here-after”?
-She should have dies later on, because either one, he was to busy to morn her death, or that she sould have died later in life wen they were older. 


2) What is the significant of the following quote, “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is told no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing.”
-Life is just a brief thing that happens. 


Scene 6

1) What is important about this scene?
-It is when they reach the castle and the battles going to start.



Scene 7

1) Who does Macbeth kill in this scene? What is significant about this death?
-Young Siward. It is significant because it gives Macbeth more steam because he was born a women and he couldn't hurt Macbeth. Young Siward is also English.  


Scene 8

1) What happens in this scene?
-Macduff confronts Macbeth and kills him. 


2) Why does Macbeth lose heart in the fight against Macduff?
-Because he knew he was going to lose because Macduff had a C-section and was technically born a woman. Macbeth knew he was going to lose so he gave up. 


3) Who is named king at the end of the play?
-Malcolm

Macbeth Vocabulary 2

1) Mirth N. gaiety or jollity, especially when accompanied by laughter

2) Liege N. a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service.

3) Parricide N. the act of killing one's father, mother, or other close relative.
Macbeth committed parricide after killing his uncle Duncan. 


4) Verity N. the state or quality of being true; accordance with fact or reality

5) Avarice N. insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain andhoard wealth.
Macbeth's avarice grew more as he killed more people and was closer to success. 


6) Avaunt Adv. away; hence.
"Avaunt foul beast!" said the warrior to the dragon. 


7) Posterity N. succeeding or future generations collectively
The posterity of the Kurn family, a son needed to be born.



8) Homage N. respect or reverence paid or rendered
The players had a high homage for their coach. 


9) Cloistered Adj. secluded from the world; sheltered
The boy was so cloistered that once he graduated from high school, he was robbed because he didn't want to be rude to the old homeless man. 


10) Equivocator V. to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoidcommitment or in order to mislead; prevaricate or hedge
The 

11) Eminence N. a high place or part; a hill or elevation; height.
The kings eminence got inside his head and he went mad with power. 


12) Avouch V. to make frank acknowledgment or affirmation of; declare or assert with positiveness.
-The older sister could avouch for her little sister about the man who offered her candy. 

13) Thralls N. a person who is morally or mentally enslaved by somepower, influence
The man became a thrall to his own madness after he killed his wife. 

14) Malevolence N. the quality, state, or feeling of being malevolent;  ill will; malice;hatred.
Macbeth's malevolence was through the roof when he killed his very own uncle, Duncan. 

Act III Rewritten

Act 3 Scene 1

Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth because he knows that in order for those predictions to come true, he would have had to do something bad for those predictions to come true.  He says that although the predictions are good, they bring bad things to people.

Macbeth comes in along with Lady Macbeth and they invite Banquo to their feast. Then Banquo says that he will be at dinner, but he is going on a ride and won’t be back until then and the Fleance will be with him. Macbeth says to be careful and good-bye. Then, everyone leaves except Macbeth and the servants.

He tells them to go fetch the three murders. He talks to himself about how he knows how smart Banquo is and that he might be on to him. He knows that Banquo is royal to his country and that is something and has been done, and then he will tell. So Macbeth knows that Banquo must be killed. Macbeth also wants his own kids to be kings not Banquo’s, therefore his son, Fleance, must be killed as well. The murderers come in. Macbeth tell the murderers that Banquo must be killed and his son because he is everyone’s enemy and he needs to be killed tonight. Macbeth tells the murderers that Banquo and Fleance will be riding tonight and that they must kill them then. The murderers agree and go on their way.

Act 3 Scene 2

The scene begins with Lady Macbeth asking a servant is Banquo had left the castle. The servant said yes and then was told to go tell Macbeth that Lady Macbeth wanted a word with him.  Macbeth enters and Lady Macbeth asked him say he was alone. She told him that he shouldn’t feel bad because what’s done is done. Macbeth replies with that they have started the plan nicely, but they have only begun. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to clean up and be happy for the guests that are attending the feast tonight. Macbeth says that they need to seem honorable so no one doubts him as king. And Lady Macbeth says he needs to forget about the murder.  Although Lady Macbeth doesn’t know about Banquo, and Macbeth plan on keeping it that way until the news is announced and then she will know what Macbeth has done.

Act 3 Scene 3

The Murderers are talking about how Macbeth might not trust the murderers he has chosen, and then the second murderer says that there is no need to mistrust them because they are going to carry out the duties they were given. Then they see Banquo and Fleance. They were waiting for the right time to attack. Banquo and Fleance approached the murderers and then they attacked. They killed Banquo, but Fleance got away. The murderers consulted and found that the Fleance, got away.

Act3 Scene 4

This scene starts at the Macbeth castle at the feast with the lords, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth. He asks all the lords to be seated. One of the murderers come in and pulls Macbeth aside. He tells Macbeth that Banquo has been taken care of, but Fleance got away. Macbeth is now in fear, he starts to have a fit and feels like he is crammed up in a confined space. He doubled checks that Banquo is dead, and when he is sure, he says that this won’t upset his plans for now, but in the future, his plans will be spoiled. The murderer leaves and Lady Macbeth comes and tell Macbeth to get back to the feast because he has guests that are waiting. Macbeth goes back in the room with all of his guests, and he goes to sit down, but there are no chairs because Banquo’s ghost is occupying one. Lennox and Ross keep asking Macbeth to sit down because Macbeth is the only one who can see Banquo’s ghost. Ross and Lennox assume that Macbeth is not well, and Lady Macbeth excuses herself and Macbeth and goes the side. Macbeth says that he is a man that would appall the devil. Lady Macbeth says that all of the things that Macbeth is seeing, like the dagger and Banquo’s ghost, are only from his fear and not actually real. Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost again and tries to get Lady Macbeth to see him too but of course she can’t.  Then he says that is vaults and graves come contain the people who are dead then the only burying place would be stomachs of birds. Lady Macbeth question his manhood again. But Macbeth still believes that Banquo is still there and Lady Macbeth that’s a shame. Macbeth says murders have been preformed sense before there was law and order and even sense then they are to terrible to hear. Lady Macbeth tries to distract him and reminds him that he needs to go back to the dinner party. He goes in and raises a glass for good health and to Banquo and his good health. Banquo’s comes back again and Macbeth starts telling to him and saying that he should be in the earth and not at his table. Lady Macbeth tries to calm him down, but he is to scared, he says that if Banquo’s ghost was in any other form, he wouldn’t be scared. Or even if he turned into the real Banquo and challenged him with his sword, Macbeth wouldn’t be sacred, and if he was then to call him a baby. The Banquo’s ghost leaves. Macbeth then finally calms down and by that time Lady Macbeth said that he has ruined the party.  Macbeth said he wasn’t himself because he was in fear, and then Ross asked of he saw something scary. Lady Macbeth says not to speak to him because he is only growing worse and sends everyone to bed. Macbeth notices that Macduff refuses to come to the dinners and is insulted by it. Ant hen says he is going to see the three weird sisters about the things he is seeing.

Act 3 Scene 5

This scene starts with the first witch and the mother witch, Hecate. The witch asked why she looked so angry. Then, Hecate explained that she was upset because they didn’t consult her before going to see Macbeth.

Act 3 Scene 6

In this scene Lennox and another lord are talking. Lennox starts off with discussing how evil event are happening. First, Duncan was killed and found by Macbeth, and then Banquo was found dead. Lennox thinks that Fleance killed him because he fled from the scene. Then we thinks back to Duncan’s murder. He couldn’t imagine that Donaldbain and Malcolm would kill their very own father. Then he thought of how Macbeth grieved his death. Right after Duncan died, Macbeth was crowned king. He says that Macbeth wisely did the murder. Then he said that he noticed that Macduff failed to attend the feast and asked the other lord where he was. He said that Macduff was in England with Malcolm. They were talking to the to the king. Lennox asked if Macbeth asked Macduff to the feast, and the lord said that he did. Macbeth was insulted by his refusal to go to the feast. Lennox said that Macduff should stay as far away from Macbeth as he can. He wishes that Macduff would come back to his country. 

Act III Study Questions

CT 3 Study Questions

Scene 1

1) What is Banquo’s opening soliloquy about? Please translate it line by line.

-Banquo says that he fears that Macbeth has done bad things to get what the witches predicted for him. He also says that the witched told him that his sons were to be king. Then he finishes by saying that although the predictions were good, bad that will come because of them.

2) Why does Macbeth wish Banquo dead (name at least 2 reasons)—look at his speech in lines 50-76?

-Because Macbeth wanted his children to be kings, not Banquo. He also fears that Banquo will find out that he has killed Duncan and rat him out because he is done what he thinks is right. And in some sense Macbeth is scared of Banquo.

3) What is significant about the following quote, “For them the gracious Duncan I have murder;/ Put rancors in the vessel of my peace/ only for them,”

-He says that he killed Duncan for Banquo’s sons. Because the witched prediction wouldn’t have come true if Macbeth didn’t become king.

4) How does Macbeth convince the murders?

-He says that Banquo is their enemy.

Scene 2

1) What is significant about the quote, “We have scotched the snake not killed it./ She’ll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice/ remains in danger of the former tooth.” What does Macbeth mean?

-It means that there are still big things to be done. Although Macbeth is king and Duncan is dead, he wants his kids to become king not Banquos.

2) Why does Macbeth tell his wife, “Be innocent of the knowledge dearest chuck,/ till thou applaud the deed.”?

-Because he has changed his views on this whole plan. He started freaking out about killing Duncan, and no he is killing people without consulting his wife. So, he told her that she would know about killing when the news comes.

3) What is significant in the quote, “Come, seeling night, Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day,/ and with bloody and invisible hand/ cancel and tear to pieces that great bond/ which keeps me pale.” What is Macbeth saying and what is the great bond?

-He is saying that bad things happen at night and no one can see them coming because it is night. The great bond is Bamquo and Macbeth’s friendship.

4) Explain the symbolism of crows, night and sleep in this scene. What does it suggest?

-The crows symbolize the three murderers, and night and sleep symbolize the evil of this plan and the evil deeds that have to be done. It suggests that the three murderers will succeed in kill Banquo tonight.

Scene 3

1) What happens in this scene? What is botched?

-In this scene, the three murderers set out to kill Banquo and son, Fleance. They succeed in killing Banquo, but ironically enough, Fleance gets away.

Scene 4

1)    What event is most important in this scene?

-The most important event is when the murderers tell Macbeth that they failed to kill Fleance because after he gets that news he starts to worry and freak out a little. Without this, Macbeth probably wouldn’t have seen Banquo’s ghost and he would have stayed gathered the entire dinner party. Also, because he goes crazy, people start doubting him as a king.

2) Why does Macbeth say, “There the grown serpent lies; the worm that’s fled/ hath nature that in time will venom breed,/ no teeth for the present.” What is he talking about? Who is he talking about?

-What Macbeth is saying is that right now it is ok that Fleance fled, but over time, it will ruin Macbeth’s plans.

3) What is significant about Banquo’s ghost? What does it suggest? How does Macbeth react to it? Is it real or in Macbeth’s mind?

-He’s ghost is there because the real Banquo was supposed to be there. So, it suggests that Banquo wants revenge and knows that if Macbeth looks like a fool then he will have less of a chance at being a good king. When he sees Banquo’s ghost, he looses it. He starts to go a little crazy. I think it is in his mind because he is feeling guilty that he had his best friend killed.

4) Discuss how blood is used in this scene? What does it symbolize?

-

5) How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth’s visions?

-She thinks he is acting up because of a lack of sleep.

Scene 5

1) Most critics think this scene was placed into Macbeth by a different/later author (someone other Shakespeare). Do you agree or not? Why?

Well I don’t really know enough about Shakespeare, but I don’t think that someone else wrote it. There are a lot of characters in a lot of books that only show up once and are just fillers. In fact there are other characters that only show up once earlier in this book.

Scene 6

1)    What does Lennox say in this scene about Fleance and Banquo?

He says that because Flenace fled, he was the one who killed Banquo.

2)     

3)    Where does MacDuff go?

He goes to England.