Macbeth - Act 1

Based on the information in Act 1, what appears to be one of Macbeth's character flaws?

• Easily persuaded

• Dishonesty

• Lack of empathy

• Makes decisions too quickly

What important role do the witches play in Act 1?

• Showing Macbeth his 3 fates

• Cursing Macbeth's enemies

• Teaching Macbeth magic

• Saving Macbeth's life

Why does Lady Macbeth think that Macbeth has a poor chance of achieving power?

• Not cold-hearted enough

• Not smart enough

• Not strong enough

• Not wise enough

In what way is Lady Macbeth stronger than her husband?

• More willing to do the dirty work

• Smarter

• More well-connected with powerful people

• Ability to persuade

The main subject of the play's opening scene is

• The witches agree to meet Macbeth after the battle

• Macbeth is valiant in battle

• Macbeth and his wife argue over the future

• The witches argue over which fate is actually true

The witches' statement, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" is an example of the theme...

• Breaking the rules never works out in the end

• Revenge is a necessary evil

• Sarcasm is a dangerous form of flattery

• Appearances can be deceiving

What does the Sergeant mean in the following exchange?

Duncan: "Dismayed not this/Our captains Macbeth and Banquo?

Sergeant: "Yes, as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion."

• Banquo and Macbeth are not scared at all - just like eagles aren't afraid of sparrows and lions aren't afraid of hares.

• The fates of Macbeth and Banquo will be similar to that of a lion or an eagle - rising to power.

• Macbeth and Banquo are dismayed about their fates - like a sparrow is around an eagle or a hare running from a lion.

What does Macbeth mean when he says:

"He hath honored me of late, and I have bought

Golden opinion from all sorts of people,

Which should be worn now in their newest gloss

Not cast aside so soon."

• I am on the king's good side...I think I'll postpone the assassination until later.

• The king is my friend...I won't kill him.

• I want the king, and everybody else, to think well of me