Macbeth: Act I

The witches in Scene 1 inform the audience that

• they will see Macbeth after the battle

• trouble is coming to Scotland.

• Macbeth has acted bravely in battle.

• there will be a new king of Scotland.

In Scene 2, Duncan orders Ross to

• warn others of the thane of Cawdor’s treachery.

• inform others of the thane of Cawdor’s death.

• tell Macbeth he is the new thane of Cawdor.

• command Macbeth to kill the thane of Cawdor.

In Scene 3, Shakespeare most likely has the witches speak in rhyme instead of blank verse to make their comments sound

• humorous

• childish

• like spells.

• like quarrels.

Macbeth shows his ambition and curiosity about becoming king in Scene 3 when he

• questions the witches about the prophecies.

• listens to Banquo describe the witches.

• invites Duncan to come to his home.

• defeats many people in battle.

Duncan says to Macbeth, “Would thou hadst less deserved,” in Scene 4, line 18. Which sentence best paraphrases his meaning?

• You should take less than you deserve.

• I know you have what you deserve.

• You deserve less than what I have.

• If only you had deserved less.

In Scene 5, lines 13–14, Lady Macbeth says Macbeth’s nature is “too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness.” She means that he lacks

• enough cruelty to murder the king.

• respect for her opinions and ideas.

• ambition to be greater than he is.

• the qualities to be a good king.

How does Lady Macbeth know that Duncan is coming to her castle?

• She sees him while looking out the window.

• Macbeth includes the information in a letter.

• A messenger tells her that he is coming.

• Macbeth tells her when he reaches home.

In Scene 6, line 24, Duncan’s reference to Lady Macbeth as a “noble hostess” is an example of dramatic irony because the audience knows that

• she wants him to leave.

• she plans to murder him.

• he arranged to see her hastily.

• he criticized her to other characters.

In Scene 7, lines 10–12, Macbeth says “To plague th’ inventor. This even-handed justice / Commends th’ ingredience of our poisoned chalice / To our own lips. He’s here in double trust.” These lines reveal Macbeth’s

• unwillingness to kill anyone.

• belief that the witches are like poison.

• discomfort with his actions in the battle.

• fear of being punished for killing Duncan.

What do Macbeth and his wife do to make sure that Duncan’s guards are blamed for his death?

• dress in the guards’ clothes to commit the murder

• convince the drunk guards that Duncan is evil

• use the guards’ daggers to stab Duncan

• make sure that the guards are seen drinking