Macbeth- Act 1

What do the witches predict in Act 1 Scene 3 for Macbeth? For Banquo?

• Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and eventually the king. Banquo’s descendants will be kind, although he will not.

• Macbeth will be conqueror of Norway, Banquo will be king.

• Macbeth will remain Thane of Glamis. Banquo will be the Thane of Cawdor, neither will be king.

• Macbeth will be king. Banquo will be Thane of Glamis and Cawdor.

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What news does Ross bring Macbeth?

• Lady Macbeth has had a son.

• The Thane of Glamis has been killed.

• Macbeth now holds the title of the Thane of Cawdor.

• The army has just lost the battle with the Norwegians.

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What does Banquo say about the motives of the “instruments of darkness” (witches)?

• They often tell of good things without telling the bad consequences.

• They are greedy and only make predictions when someone pays enough.

• Good conquers evil, and their predictions will not come true.

• The witches are crazy, and don’t know what they are saying.

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Macbeth says, “Stars, hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires.” What are Macbeth’s desires?

• He wants to go home to see Lady Macbeth.

• He wants to raise the taxes in the land he rules.

• He is very tired. He wants the stars to stop shining so he can sleep.

• He wants to be king.

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What is Lady Macbeth’s “prayer” to the spirits after she learns Duncan is coming?

• She wants to be filled with cruelty, given the hard heart and thick blood necessary to do what has to be done to make Macbeth king.

• She prays that Duncan will die on the way to see Macbeth. She asks the witches to create a terrible storm.

• She wants her husband’s nerve to become stronger so that she will not have to do the actual stabbing.

• She asks for a sign that her decision is the right one for her husband and for the country.

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What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home?

• He should not eat too much, because he does not want to get too tired and sluggish, or he won’t be able to commit the murder quickly.

• He should let Banquo in on the plan so that he has more help.

• He must learn to look innocent even when his heart is full of evil.

• This would not be a good time to murder Duncan. They should wait a few days.

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What are Macbeth’s arguments to himself against killing Duncan?

• There are too many witnesses in the castle. He could never get away with it.

• Macbeth is Duncan’s kinsman and subject. Duncan is a good and popular kind; his death would bring sorrow to Scotland.

• Macbeth doesn’t really have the ambition to be king. He is doing this to please his wife. He may be able to change her mind.

• If anyone found out he did it, they would just kill him. He is better off being a Thane and being alive.

What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder?

• She tells him not to be a coward, but to be a good man and go and get what he wants.

• She tells him that if Duncan suspects anything and they aren’t successful, they will lose their lives, so he should go ahead with the plan.

• She says that the people of Scotland will grow to love Macbeth even more than they love Duncan. He should go ahead for the good of the country.

• She reminds him that when they got married he promised to always make her happy, and she won’t be happy until he is the king.

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What is Lady Macbeth’s plan?

• She will put poison in the king’s food. He will die in his sleep and it will look like a natural death.

• They will bribe the guards and offer them money and power to kill the king.

• Macbeth’s soldiers will come into the banquet disguised as robbers. They will commit the murder and wound Macbeth so that it doesn’t look suspicious.

• She will drug the king’s guards. Macbeth will then go into the king’s room and kill him.

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