Macbeth Acts II & III Quiz Review

When Macduff finds Duncan’s body, he yells: “Ring the alarum bell. Murder and treason! / Banquo and Donalbain, Malcolm, awake! / Shake off this downy sleep, death’s counterfeit, / And look on death itself.”  Through this quote, what does the reader learn about Macduff? (RL.9-10.3)

• He was involved with the plot and is trying to make himself look innocent.

• He is loyal to his king and is appalled that someone would commit treason.

• He wanted Macbeth to become king, but did not think that he would kill Duncan to get the crown.

• He wanted Banquo to become the king because that is what the witches promised.

In Macbeth’s hyperbole-filled (exaggerated) reaction to the murder of Duncan, which line best contains some truth about how he actually feels about murdering Duncan and why this line is ironically true? (RL.9-10.4)

• “Had I but died an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessed time” is actually true because Macbeth feels extremely guilty and remorseful following his killing of Duncan.

• "There’s nothing serious in mortality. All is but toys”  is actually true because Macbeth thinks life is a joke and he is just playing around.

• “Renown and grace is dead” is actually true because he feels that all nobility should give up their titles now that Duncan is gone.

• “The wine of life is drawn” is actually true because he is comparing Duncan’s blood to wine, which is now “drawn” out of him.

Why do Malcolm and Donalbain flee after learning of their father’s death? (RL.9-10.3)

• They do not believe the guards killed Duncan and they are afraid they are not safe.

• Their father sent them a note to leave and go to another country.

• Macbeth orders them to leave so they won’t bother him when he becomes king.

• They become very ill and have to leave to see a doctor.

Which of the following quotes best represents the idea that Macbeth is threatened by Banquo? (RL.9-10.1)

• “We have scorched the snake, not killed it.”

• “In the affliction of these terrible dreams / That shake us nightly.”

• “Duncan is in his grave. / After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well.“

• “O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! / Thou know’st that Banquo and Fleance lives.”

Banquo’s ghost in Act III symbolizes… (RL.9-10.4)

• Macbeth's ambition.

• Macbeth's guilt.

• Macbeth's future plans.

• Macbeth's sadness.

It is revealed through a few characters in Act III that under Macbeth’s leadership, Scotland has… (RL.9-10.5)

• Suffered fear and hardships.

• Become prosperous.

• Lost a war.

• Doubled its supply of goods.

Why does Macduff go to England? (RL.9-10.5)

• For a vacation.

• To escape Macbeth’s wrath.

• To gain support for a revolt against Macbeth.

• To seek religious guidance.

Who could refrain / That has a heart to love, and that heart / Courage to make’s love known?”  In this quote, Macbeth is discussing why he killed the servants who supposedly killed King Duncan. What is one reason that the reader may speculate as to why Macbeth killed the guards other than the reason he gives Macduff? (RL.9-10.3)

• He did not want them to wake up and remember anything about the murder, including Lady Macbeth giving them alcohol that led to them passing out.

• He did not want them to become king, because they were next in line for the throne before Macbeth.

• He did not kill Duncan, but Lady Macbeth did. He was so upset that he killed them and her in his violent rage.

• He feels immense power in being able to kill people, so he did it without a motive.

After Duncan has been killed, Macbeth mentions sleep multiple times and says “Methought I heard a voice cry  ‘Sleep no more! / Macbeth does murder sleep’.”  What literary device is sleep serving as in this quote? (RL.9-10.4)

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Foreshadowing

• Symbolism

What is the figurative meaning of Macbeth’s mention of sleep when he says: “Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more! / Macbeth does murder sleep.”

• A lack of sleep because he stays up all night worrying about being murdered.

• A lack of peace and a strong presence of guilt.

• A lack of innocence because he is a murderer.

• A lack of care for others around him because he is ruthless in his quest for power.