"Macbeth" Review Quiz

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English Poet, playwright, and actor. Shakespeare wrote approximately 39 plays and over 150 sonnets and is widely considered the greatest writer in the English language. In this informational text, Mia Hodorovich discusses the legacy of Shakespeare and his popular work.

 

William Shakespeare is the most studied playwright in the world. All of his plays have been translated into every major language and are performed more frequently than those of any other playwright. He is considered the major author of Modern English literature, the standard to which all other writers are compared.

 

Despite having lived over 400 years ago, Shakespeare is one of the most popular writers in history. His influence lasts to this day, shaping how we communicate and inspiring the popular culture we consume. So how has Shakespeare managed to beat the test of time? 

 

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

Shakespeare became popular during the rule of Queen Elizabeth I and produced most of his work between 1589 and 1613. During this time, London was experiencing a revitalization of the arts. Few enjoyed as much acclaim as Shakespeare. He was a prolific dramatist and poet. He produced about 39 plays and wrote over 150 sonnets in little over two decades. 

 

His plays can typically be broken down into three categories. He wrote plays about historical figures, such as  Julius Caesar and  Henry VI. He wrote comedies, like  Much Ado About Nothing and  A Midsummer Night's Dream. These plays are called comedies because they contain happy endings, usually in the form of a wedding. Finally, he wrote tragedies, like  Romeo & Juliet and  Hamlet, which feature character deaths and tragic endings.

 

[5]  Shakespeare wrote not only plays but beautiful sonnets, as well. A sonnet is a type of poem that consists of 14 lines (three quatrains and one couplet) and follows a specific rhyme scheme. Many of his sonnets feature themes about love and beauty. He wrote these sonnets, as well as a good deal of his plays, in iambic pentameter. This form of writing contains five metric feet, in which each foot consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. It mimics the rhythms of natural speech patterns in English, a feat which takes a great amount of careful writing skill.

 

BREVITY IS THE SOUL OF WIT

Shakespeare was an innovator of language. People quote his plays all of the time without realizing it. If you’ve ever heard someone say that “love is blind” or “all that glitters is not gold,” they’re quoting  The Merchant of Venice. In fact, Shakespeare is credited with inventing over 1700 words and phrases. Do you know the joint that bends in the middle of your arm? Without Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have the word for elbow!

 

Not only has Shakespeare shaped the English language but he’s also had a hand in almost every form of popular culture. From books to music to modern theatre, Shakespeare has served as an inspiration. The popular TV series  Breaking Bad is in part inspired by  Macbeth — just as  House of Cards takes cues from  Richard III, and the show  Empire has been compared to  King Lear.

 

One reason his work has endured is because he wrote about universal themes. His storylines are dramatic and engaging. His dialogue is witty and poetic. He wrote tales of forbidden romance, of political intrigue, of murder and revenge. In their time, these plays were comparable to modern blockbusters. In fact, many films have been inspired by Shakespeare, such as  The Lion King and  10 Things I Hate About You.

 

SOME ARE BORN GREAT, SOME ACHIEVE GREATNESS

Many people tend to think of Shakespeare as boring and outdated. His work is known for its complexity, and his plays are published with a lot of footnotes — sometimes even translations! Nevertheless, his contributions to language and culture are apparent today. It’s hard to avoid his influence on language, literature, and popular culture. Shakespeare continues to inspire generations of readers, writers, actors, and audience members. In this way, his legacy lives on.

 

Notes:

Prolific  (adjective) : producing a great number of something

Innovator  (noun) : a person who introduces new ideas or methods

Which statement best expresses the central idea of the text?

• Shakespeare’s influence continues to be felt today because of his contributions to English and his timeless stories that can easily be re-envisioned for modern times.

• Shakespeare’s popularity is growing once more as people realize that his plays can be adapted to address present day problems.

• Despite Shakespeare’s incredible storytelling abilities, many people avoid his work due to its advanced language and complex form.

• Many films and television shows today took inspiration from Shakespeare, revealing how many modern stories are just recycled stories from the past.

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William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English Poet, playwright, and actor. Shakespeare wrote approximately 39 plays and over 150 sonnets and is widely considered the greatest writer in the English language. In this informational text, Mia Hodorovich discusses the legacy of Shakespeare and his popular work.

 

William Shakespeare is the most studied playwright in the world. All of his plays have been translated into every major language and are performed more frequently than those of any other playwright. He is considered the major author of Modern English literature, the standard to which all other writers are compared.

 

Despite having lived over 400 years ago, Shakespeare is one of the most popular writers in history. His influence lasts to this day, shaping how we communicate and inspiring the popular culture we consume. So how has Shakespeare managed to beat the test of time? 

 

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

Shakespeare became popular during the rule of Queen Elizabeth I and produced most of his work between 1589 and 1613. During this time, London was experiencing a revitalization of the arts. Few enjoyed as much acclaim as Shakespeare. He was a prolific dramatist and poet. He produced about 39 plays and wrote over 150 sonnets in little over two decades. 

 

His plays can typically be broken down into three categories. He wrote plays about historical figures, such as  Julius Caesar and  Henry VI. He wrote comedies, like  Much Ado About Nothing and  A Midsummer Night's Dream. These plays are called comedies because they contain happy endings, usually in the form of a wedding. Finally, he wrote tragedies, like  Romeo & Juliet and  Hamlet, which feature character deaths and tragic endings.

 

[5]  Shakespeare wrote not only plays but beautiful sonnets, as well. A sonnet is a type of poem that consists of 14 lines (three quatrains and one couplet) and follows a specific rhyme scheme. Many of his sonnets feature themes about love and beauty. He wrote these sonnets, as well as a good deal of his plays, in iambic pentameter. This form of writing contains five metric feet, in which each foot consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. It mimics the rhythms of natural speech patterns in English, a feat which takes a great amount of careful writing skill.

 

BREVITY IS THE SOUL OF WIT

Shakespeare was an innovator of language. People quote his plays all of the time without realizing it. If you’ve ever heard someone say that “love is blind” or “all that glitters is not gold,” they’re quoting  The Merchant of Venice. In fact, Shakespeare is credited with inventing over 1700 words and phrases. Do you know the joint that bends in the middle of your arm? Without Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have the word for elbow!

 

Not only has Shakespeare shaped the English language but he’s also had a hand in almost every form of popular culture. From books to music to modern theatre, Shakespeare has served as an inspiration. The popular TV series  Breaking Bad is in part inspired by  Macbeth — just as  House of Cards takes cues from  Richard III, and the show  Empire has been compared to  King Lear.

 

One reason his work has endured is because he wrote about universal themes. His storylines are dramatic and engaging. His dialogue is witty and poetic. He wrote tales of forbidden romance, of political intrigue, of murder and revenge. In their time, these plays were comparable to modern blockbusters. In fact, many films have been inspired by Shakespeare, such as  The Lion King and  10 Things I Hate About You.

 

SOME ARE BORN GREAT, SOME ACHIEVE GREATNESS

Many people tend to think of Shakespeare as boring and outdated. His work is known for its complexity, and his plays are published with a lot of footnotes — sometimes even translations! Nevertheless, his contributions to language and culture are apparent today. It’s hard to avoid his influence on language, literature, and popular culture. Shakespeare continues to inspire generations of readers, writers, actors, and audience members. In this way, his legacy lives on.

 

Notes:

Prolific  (adjective) : producing a great number of something

Innovator  (noun) : a person who introduces new ideas or methods

Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• “He wrote these sonnets, as well as a good deal of his plays, in iambic pentameter. This form of writing contains five metric feet, in which each foot consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.” (Paragraph 5)

• “Many people tend to think of Shakespeare as boring and outdated. His work is known for its complexity, and his plays are published with a lot of footnotes — sometimes even translations!” (Paragraph 9)

• “William Shakespeare is the most studied playwright in the world. All of his plays have been translated into every major language and are performed more frequently than those of any other playwright.” (Paragraph 1)

• “Not only has Shakespeare shaped the English language but he’s also had a hand in almost every form of popular culture. From books to music to modern theatre, Shakespeare has served as an inspiration.” (Paragraph 7)

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William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English Poet, playwright, and actor. Shakespeare wrote approximately 39 plays and over 150 sonnets and is widely considered the greatest writer in the English language. In this informational text, Mia Hodorovich discusses the legacy of Shakespeare and his popular work.

 

William Shakespeare is the most studied playwright in the world. All of his plays have been translated into every major language and are performed more frequently than those of any other playwright. He is considered the major author of Modern English literature, the standard to which all other writers are compared.

 

Despite having lived over 400 years ago, Shakespeare is one of the most popular writers in history. His influence lasts to this day, shaping how we communicate and inspiring the popular culture we consume. So how has Shakespeare managed to beat the test of time? 

 

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

Shakespeare became popular during the rule of Queen Elizabeth I and produced most of his work between 1589 and 1613. During this time, London was experiencing a revitalization of the arts. Few enjoyed as much acclaim as Shakespeare. He was a prolific dramatist and poet. He produced about 39 plays and wrote over 150 sonnets in little over two decades. 

 

His plays can typically be broken down into three categories. He wrote plays about historical figures, such as  Julius Caesar and  Henry VI. He wrote comedies, like  Much Ado About Nothing and  A Midsummer Night's Dream. These plays are called comedies because they contain happy endings, usually in the form of a wedding. Finally, he wrote tragedies, like  Romeo & Juliet and  Hamlet, which feature character deaths and tragic endings.

 

[5]  Shakespeare wrote not only plays but beautiful sonnets, as well. A sonnet is a type of poem that consists of 14 lines (three quatrains and one couplet) and follows a specific rhyme scheme. Many of his sonnets feature themes about love and beauty. He wrote these sonnets, as well as a good deal of his plays, in iambic pentameter. This form of writing contains five metric feet, in which each foot consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. It mimics the rhythms of natural speech patterns in English, a feat which takes a great amount of careful writing skill.

 

BREVITY IS THE SOUL OF WIT

Shakespeare was an innovator of language. People quote his plays all of the time without realizing it. If you’ve ever heard someone say that “love is blind” or “all that glitters is not gold,” they’re quoting  The Merchant of Venice. In fact, Shakespeare is credited with inventing over 1700 words and phrases. Do you know the joint that bends in the middle of your arm? Without Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have the word for elbow!

 

Not only has Shakespeare shaped the English language but he’s also had a hand in almost every form of popular culture. From books to music to modern theatre, Shakespeare has served as an inspiration. The popular TV series  Breaking Bad is in part inspired by  Macbeth — just as  House of Cards takes cues from  Richard III, and the show  Empire has been compared to  King Lear.

 

One reason his work has endured is because he wrote about universal themes. His storylines are dramatic and engaging. His dialogue is witty and poetic. He wrote tales of forbidden romance, of political intrigue, of murder and revenge. In their time, these plays were comparable to modern blockbusters. In fact, many films have been inspired by Shakespeare, such as  The Lion King and  10 Things I Hate About You.

 

SOME ARE BORN GREAT, SOME ACHIEVE GREATNESS

Many people tend to think of Shakespeare as boring and outdated. His work is known for its complexity, and his plays are published with a lot of footnotes — sometimes even translations! Nevertheless, his contributions to language and culture are apparent today. It’s hard to avoid his influence on language, literature, and popular culture. Shakespeare continues to inspire generations of readers, writers, actors, and audience members. In this way, his legacy lives on.

 

Notes:

Prolific  (adjective) : producing a great number of something

Innovator  (noun) : a person who introduces new ideas or methods

How do paragraphs 4-5 contribute to the author’s depiction of Shakespeare’s writing?

• They emphasize the wide variety of Shakespeare’s work and the extent of his skills.

• They reveal that few people read his original work today because of its complexity.

• They stress how his sonnets and plays were more appealing to audiences from his time.

• They suggest that Shakespeare was a better sonnet writer than playwright.

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Excerpt from Macbeth, ACT I, Scene 7

 

Macbeth: If we should fail? [1]

 

Lady Macbeth:We fail!

But screw your courage to the sticking-place, [3]

And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep—

Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey [5]

 

Soundly invite him—his two chamberlains

Will I with wine and wassail so convince [7]

That memory, the warder of the brain,

Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason [9]

A limbeck only: when in swinish sleep

 

Their drenched natures lie as in a death, [11]

What cannot you and I perform upon

The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon [13]

His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt

Of our great quell? [15]

Which line from the passage best supports the inference that Lady Macbeth is immoral? 

• "Screw your courage to the sticking place and we'll not fail"

• "We fail!"

• "What cannot you and I perform upon the unguarded Duncan?"

• "What not upon his spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt of our great quell?"

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MACBETH:

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well [1]

It were done quickly: if the assassination

Could trammel up the consequence, and catch 

With his surcease success; that but this blow

Might be the be-all and the end-all here, [5]

 

But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,

We'ld jump the life to come. But in these cases

We still have judgment here; that we but teach

Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return

To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice [10]

 

Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice

To our own lips. He's here in double trust;

First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,

Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,

Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]

 

Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan

Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been

So clear in his great office, that his virtues

Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against

The deep damnation of his taking-off; [20]

 

And pity, like a naked new-born babe,

Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed

Upon the sightless couriers of the air,

Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,

That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]

 

To prick the sides of my intent, but only

Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself

And falls on the other.

Which line best expresses a theme of the passage?

• What goes around, comes around.

• Women are incapable of violent acts.

• Disloyalty is acceptable for the sake of ending a tyrant.

• A king must take his crown by force.

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MACBETH:

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well [1]

It were done quickly: if the assassination

Could trammel up the consequence, and catch 

With his surcease success; that but this blow

Might be the be-all and the end-all here, [5]

 

But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,

We'ld jump the life to come. But in these cases

We still have judgment here; that we but teach

Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return

To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice [10]

 

Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice

To our own lips. He's here in double trust;

First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,

Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,

Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]

 

Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan

Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been

So clear in his great office, that his virtues

Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against

The deep damnation of his taking-off; [20]

 

And pity, like a naked new-born babe,

Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed

Upon the sightless couriers of the air,

Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,

That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]

 

To prick the sides of my intent, but only

Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself

And falls on the other.

How is this theme developed over the course of the passage?

• Through a description of King Duncan

• Through dialogue with Lady Macbeth

• Through a stream of consciousness in a soliloquy

• Through the use of rhetorical questions.

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MACBETH:

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well [1]

It were done quickly: if the assassination

Could trammel up the consequence, and catch 

With his surcease success; that but this blow

Might be the be-all and the end-all here, [5]

 

But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,

We'ld jump the life to come. But in these cases

We still have judgment here; that we but teach

Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return

To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice [10]

 

Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice

To our own lips. He's here in double trust;

First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,

Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,

Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]

 

Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan

Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been

So clear in his great office, that his virtues

Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against

The deep damnation of his taking-off; [20]

 

And pity, like a naked new-born babe,

Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed

Upon the sightless couriers of the air,

Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,

That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]

 

To prick the sides of my intent, but only

Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself

And falls on the other.

How does the revelation that Duncan is a moral ruler help to propel Macbeth's internal conflict? 

• Macbeth feels that Duncan is a tyrant who must be stopped.

• Macbeth recognizes that Lady Macbeth prefers Duncan as king.

• Macbeth recognizes that Duncan is underserving of being assassinated.

• Macbeth feels the citizens prefer Duncan as their ruler over Macbeth.

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MACBETH:

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well [1]

It were done quickly: if the assassination

Could trammel up the consequence, and catch 

With his surcease success; that but this blow

Might be the be-all and the end-all here, [5]

 

But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,

We'ld jump the life to come. But in these cases

We still have judgment here; that we but teach

Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return

To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice [10]

 

Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice

To our own lips. He's here in double trust;

First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,

Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,

Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]

 

Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan

Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been

So clear in his great office, that his virtues

Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against

The deep damnation of his taking-off; [20]

 

And pity, like a naked new-born babe,

Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed

Upon the sightless couriers of the air,

Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,

That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]

 

To prick the sides of my intent, but only

Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself

And falls on the other.

How do the phrases "even-handed justice", "we but teach bloody instructions", and "poison'd chalice" in the soliloquy contribute to the meaning of the passage? 

• The phrases indicate that Macbeth feels no regret over committing an act of violence.

• The phrases suggest Macbeth is religious. 

• The phrases convey Macbeth's fear of the consequences of the murder. 

• The phrases reveal that Macbeth sees the murder as a necessary act of government.

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Excerpt from the play Macbeth-ACT V, Scene 8 

 

MACBETH Why should I play the Roman fool, and die On mine own sword? whiles I see lives, the gashes Do better upon them.

 

Enter MACDUFF

 

MACDUFF Turn, hell-hound, turn!

 

MACBETH Of all men else I have avoided thee: But get thee back; my soul is too much charged With blood of thine already.

 

MACDUFF I have no words: My voice is in my sword: thou bloodier villain Than terms can give thee out! They fight

 

MACBETH Thou losest labour: As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air With thy keen sword impress as make me bleed: Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests; I bear a charmed life, which must not yield, To one of woman born.

 

MACDUFF Despair thy charm; And let the angel whom thou still hast served Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother's womb Untimely ripp'd.

 

MACBETH Accursed be that tongue that tells me so, For it hath cow'd my better part of man! And be these juggling fiends no more believed, That palter with us in a double sense; That keep the word of promise to our ear, And break it to our hope. I'll not fight with thee.

 

MACDUFF Then yield thee, coward, And live to be the show and gaze o' the time: We'll have thee, as our rarer monsters are, Painted on a pole, and underwrit, 'Here may you see the tyrant.'

 

MACBETH I will not yield, To kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet, And to be baited with the rabble's curse. Though Birnam wood be come to Dunsinane, And thou opposed, being of no woman born, Yet I will try the last. Before my body I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff, And damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!' Exeunt, fighting. Alarums

 

The Witches told Macbeth that he could be confident due to the following:

 

“Laugh to scorn

The power of man, for none of woman born

Shall harm Macbeth.”

Which of the following lines from ACT 5 scene 8 provides the best evidence for why Macduff was able to overcome this prophecy?

• “Why should I play the Roman fool and die On my own sword?”

• “And let the angel whom thou still hasnt served Tell thee. Macduff was from his mother's womb Untimely ripped.”

• “Then yield thee, coward, And live to be the show and gaze o’th’ time. We’ll have thee, as our rarer monsters are.”

• “ As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air With thy keen sword impress as make me bleed.”

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SECOND WITCH. By the pricking of my thumbs,

Something wicked this way comes.

Open, locks, Whoever knocks.

 

[Enter MACBETH.]

5 MACBETH. How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags?

What is 't you do?

 

ALL. A deed without a name.

 

MACBETH. I conjure you by that which you profess

(Howe'er you come to know it), answer me.

 

10 Though you untie the winds and let them fight

Against the churches,

though the yeasty waves Confound and swallow navigation up,

Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown down,

Though castles topple on their warders' heads,

 

15 Though palaces and pyramids do slope

Their heads to their foundations,

though the treasure

Of nature's germens tumble all together

Even till destruction sicken, answer me

To what I ask you.

When Macbeth calls the witches "midnight hags" (line 5), what does it suggest about witches and their activities?

• that witches are nocturnal and sleep during the day

• that witches avoid the sunlight and thrive at night

• that witches have trouble getting to sleep

• that witches' activities need to be hidden in the dark

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