Macbeth - Act 5, Scene 1

Look back at lines 3-7. What might explain the unusual behaviors that the Gentlewoman reports to the Doctor?

• Lady Macbeth misses Macbeth since he went to the battlefield.

• Lady Macbeth feels guilty about murdering Banquo.

• Lady Macbeth is trying to send a secret message by letter.

• Lady Macbeth is haunted by her memory of Macbeth's letter, when she first had the idea to murder Duncan.

What unusual behavior has Lady Macbeth been exhibiting at night?

• Insomnia

• Sleepwalking

• Sleeplessness

• Nightmares

Answer explanation

A great perturbation in nature — to receive at once

the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of watching. (Doctor, lines 8-9)

In Act V of Macbeth, what does Lady Macbeth do while she is sleepwalking?

• She wanders the castle halls, calling for help.

• She describes seeing witches and several apparitions.

• She believes she sees blood on her hands, and tries to wash it away.

• She calls for Duncan, sees his ghost, and begs for forgiveness.

Which of the following lines by Lady Macbeth, from earlier in the play, echoes her behavior in lines 24-27?

• "A little water clears us of this deed" (Act 2, scene 2, line 66)

• "bear welcome in your eye, / Your hand, your tongue." (Act 1, scene 5, lines 63-64)

• "Hark. I laid their daggers ready" (Act 2, scene 2, line 12)

• "You lack the season of all natures, sleep." (Act 3, scene 4, line 144)

When Lady Macbeth speaks in lines 56-58 and 60-62, who does she appear to be speaking to?

• The Gentlewoman

• The Doctor

• Herself

• Macbeth

How is Lady Macbeth finding her way around at night?

• The Gentlewoman is guiding her, since she is her servant.

• She knows the path by heart, since she does it every night.

• She is carrying a taper, or a candle.

• The Doctor is helping her, because she is sick.

When Lady Macbeth says, "Out, damned spot!" in line 31, what does the spot symbolize?

• The blood she has smeared on Duncan's guards to frame them for murder.

• Her growing sense of wickedness and cruelty.

• The presence of the Doctor in her private rooms of the castle.

• A haunting sense of guilty for betraying the people around her.

Examine lines 37-42. Why are Lady Macbeth's words ironic?

• Lady Macbeth is washing her hands, but her hands are already clean.

• She mocks Macbeth for his fear, but he was the one who went through with Duncan's murder.

• She says that none can question her power as queen, but the Gentlewoman knows her secret.

• Lady Macbeth is saying that there is no reason to fear discovery, yet she is haunted by secrets.

When Lady Macbeth says "Oh, oh, oh!" in line 47, her tone is --

• annoyed, since Macbeth is still afraid after becoming king.

• guilty, because she is haunted by more and more crimes.

• disgusted, as she believes her hands are still unclean.

• excited, because she realizes she is getting exactly what she desires most.

Which of these lines reveals most clearly how Lady Macbeth feels about the murders?

• What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?

• What, will these hands ne'er be clean?

• Here's the smell of the blood still

• What's done cannot be undone.