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WorksheetsMacbeth Test Review
Total questions: 60
Worksheet time: 2hrs 31mins
Act I scene 1 opens with a conversation between three...
Scottish Nobles
Witches
Greek Gods
Soldiers
The line "fair is foul, and foul is fair" from Act I scene 1 suggests that...
It will be difficult to tell good from evil throughout the play.
Beauty and ugliness are the same.
People who work at carnivals are mean.
The only fair thing to do is to end the foul war.
Duncan, the character introduced in Act I scene 2 is the...
King of Scotland
King of England
Prince of Cumberland
Thane of Fife
In Act I scene 3 the three witches greet Macbeth with three titles. Which of the following is NOT one of the three titles they give him?
Thane of Fife
Thane of Glamis
Thane of Cawdor
King (in the future)
When Macbeth first hears the witches' prophesies that he will be king in Act I scene 3, he considers their words by whispering aloud to himself so that Banquo cannot hear what he is saying. What is this dramatic device called?
An Aside
A Soliloquy
Monologue
Dramatic Irony
When Banquo asks the witches to talk about him, they say he is "lesser than Macbeth, and greater. Not so happy, yet much happier. [He] shalt get kings, thou [he] be none." What does this mean?
Banquo's descendants will be kings.
Banquo will kill ("get") kings but not take the throne himself.
Banquo will be sad while Macbeth is happy.
Banquo is fatter ("greater") than Macbeth.
What unexpected announcement does Duncan make after greeting Macbeth in Act I scene 4 that tells Macbeth that fulfilling the prophecies will not be as easy as he first thought?
He announces that Malcolm is the Prince of Cumberland and will be king after Duncan.
He announces that he will invade England.
He announces that he will marry the widow of his dead brother, the former king.
He announces that he's retiring as king and splitting the kingdom between the husbands of his two eldest daughters.
After giving him more land and titles, how does Duncan intend to honor Macbeth?
He will visit him at Inverness.
He will make him the king after Malcolm.
He will make Macbeth the ambassador to Norway.
He will pay him in chests of gold and silver.
Act I scene 4 begins with Lady Macbeth reading a letter from Macbeth aloud and then reflecting on the letter by speaking her thoughts out loud to the audience while she is alone on stage. What is the name of this dramatic device?
A soliloquoy
A monologue
An Aside
Dramatic Irony
When Lady Macbeth learns of the witches prophesies for Macbeth, she fears that he is "too full o' the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way." What does she mean by this?
Macbeth is too much of a coward to commit murder.
Macbeth can't have fought bravely in battle as reported because he is a coward.
Macbeth is lactose intolerant, so he won't make a good king.
Macbeth drinks to excess and often loses his way.
At the end of Act I Macbeth is wavering about whether or not to kill the king. Lady Macbeth says to him, "I have given suck, and know how tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums, and dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this." What is Lady Macbeth arguing here, and what does she hope to persuade Macbeth to do?
She is saying that if she promised him that she would do something, she would do it no matter what. She is trying to get Macbeth to kill Duncan.
She is arguing that it is much more difficult to be a mother than it is to be a father; therefore, it should be Macbeth's responsibility to kill the king and not hers.
She is arguing that Duncan is a terrible person because he is know to kill women and children, so Duncan deserves to die.
She is confessing to Macbeth that she murdered their child. She couldn't care less whether or not Macbeth becomes king.
By the end of Act I, Macbeth has resolved to kill the king. He says, "False face must hide what false heart doth know." What does this mean?
He must not let his dark intentions show on his face.
Macbeth feels justified in killing Duncan because he is fake ("false").
Macbeth must keep the murder plot from Lady Macbeth because she cannot keep a secret.
Macbeth feels like Duncan deserves to be killed because he is rude and insulting ("face").
In Act II scene 1 Macbeth says to Banquo, "If you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis, it shall make honor for you." What does he mean?
He wants Banquo to follow ("cleave") Macbeth's orders.
He wants Banquo to cut up ("cleave") his enemies.
He wants Banquo's permission ("consent") to visit the witches again.
He's threatening to kill ("consent") Banquo if he doesn't go along with his plans.
In Act II scene 3, as Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are preparing for the murder of Duncan, Lady Macbeth says, "What hath made them drunk hath made me bold; what hath quenched them hath given me fire?" What does she mean?
The liquor that made Duncan's guards drunk has given her the courage to commit the deed.
The guards were too bold to except the drink that Lady Macbeth offered them.
Her ears are infected and full ("drunk") with fluid, so she can't hear.
The guards aren't thirsty anymore, but she wants more to drink.
Why does Lady Macbeth say she was unwilling to kill the king herself?
He too closely resembled her father while he slept.
Because she is a woman and not vicious enough.
She wants to be able to blame Macbeth if they get caught.
She never had the chance to kill him.
What goes wrong with the murder plot?
Macbeth brings the bloody daggers out of the room.
The king's guards wake up and witness the attack.
Macbeth chickens out at the last moment.
Two words: Zombie Duncan.
The porter has a long soliloquy at the beginning of Act II scene 3. What does he talk about?
The effects of too much drink on a person's body.
The strange weather in Scotland.
He predicts that Macbeth will be king.
Why Malcolm and Donalbain fled from Scotland.
What sort of character is the porter?
He's a comedic character who adds comic relief to the tragedy.
He's a serious character who dispenses wisdom to others.
He's a sad character who comments on the unhappy circumstances in Scotland.
He's a brave warrior who fights savagely in battle.
Who discovers the king's body in Act II scene 3?
Macduff
Lennox
Banquo
Malcolm
Why do Malcolm and Donalbain flee Scotland after Duncan's death?
They're worried that their father's murderer might get them next.
Macbeth says he'll spare their lives if they leave the country.
They were already planning to leave before Duncan was murdered.
Neither one wants to be king, so they have to leave to avoid the responsibility.
In Act II scene 4, what does Macduff do that shows that he does not support Macbeth as the new King of Scotland?
He does not attend Macbeth's coronation in Scone.
He insults Macbeth publicly and challenges him to a duel.
He invades Macbeth's castle at Inverness to try to overthrow him before he ascends to the throne.
He tells Banquo in private that he secretly wanted Banquo to be king.
When Macduff says to Ross, "Adieu, lest our old robes sit easier than our new," this means...
He's worried that things will get worse with Macbeth as king.
He's making fun of Ross's new clothes.
He's referring to the fact that they are both old men.
He's saying that with Macbeth as king it will be a long time until they can afford new clothes.
At the beginning of Act III scene 1 Banquo says, "Thous hast it now - King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, as the Weird Women promised; and I fear thou play'dst most foully for't." What is he talking about?
He suspects that Macbeth made the witches' predictions come true through foul play.
He's talking about himself and how he hopes his prophesy will come true.
He says it's weird that women, like Lady Macbeth, have so much power.
He thinks Macbeth is only pretending ("play'dst") to be insane.
At the beginning of Act III scene 1 Banquo comments on how dark it is outside, which creates an eerie mood. When he hears someone approaching out of the darkness, he draws his sword, but he puts it away when he realizes it's Macbeth. He believes Macbeth is still his ally, but the audience knows that Macbeth is plotting Banquo's murder. This is an example of which dramatic device?
Dramatic Irony
A soliloquy
A Monologue
An Aside
Why does Macbeth ask Banquo about his plan to go riding before the feast that Macbeth is hosting that evening?
He wants to make sure that Banquo and Fleance will be where his men can find them.
He wants to make sure Banquo plans to attend the feast.
As king, he is jealous of the amount of leisure time Banquo has.
The two are friends, and Macbeth is just making conversation.
In Act III scene 2 Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss their improved situation as king and queen. How has their relationship changed since the beginning of the play?
They've grown apart; Macbeth is now making more of the plans and not sharing them with Lady Macbeth.
It hasn't changed; they are exactly the same.
They're more in love now then they ever were.
Macbeth, as king, has more options, and he is tiring of Lady Macbeth.
How does Macbeth convince the murderers to kill Banquo?
He explains that Banquo is the enemy of Scotland, and he calls the murderers dogs and cowards to shame them.
He explains that Banquo plans to overthrow Macbeth as king, and that Macduff is on his side.
He pays them handsomely with chests of gold and silver.
He convinces them that it was Banquo who killed Duncan, and the murderers are spurned to vengeance.
In Act III scene 3 the murderers attempt to carry out the plan that Macbeth has orchestrated. What goes wrong with the plan?
Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes.
Duncan is killed, but Donalbain escapes.
Fleance is killed, but Macduff escapes.
Macduff is killed, but Malcolm escapes.
How does Macbeth react to the ghost of Banquo in Act III scene 4?
He's horrified and acts crazy, which upsets his guests.
He's overjoyed to see his old friend.
He's sad and apologetic because he feels somewhat responsible for Banquo's death.
He's angry that the ghost disrupts his banquet, and he challenges the ghost to a fight.
Towards the end of Act II scene 4 Macbeth says, "I am in blood stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as to o'er." What does this mean?
He's killed enough people so that there is now no turning back.
He's afraid that he will never be able to wash Banquo's blood off of his hands.
He dreams of escaping to a warm destination to get away from the troubles in Scotland.
He realizes the third act of the play is the longest and most tedious.
In Act III scene 5, the audience is introduced to Hecate for the first time. She says to the witches, "How did you dare to trade and traffic with Macbeth in riddles and affairs of death." What is she saying?
She is mad at the witches because they plotted against Macbeth without gaining her approval first.
She is angry because they traded money with Macbeth for the ingredients for their potions.
She suggests that they challenge Macbeth to a contest of riddles with his soul as the prize to the winner.
She tells the witches that they have to stop toying with Macbeth and just kill him.
Act III scene 6 consists of a conversation between Lennox and another lord. Lennox begins by saying a bunch of good things about Macbeth, and he suggests that Fleance might have killed Banquo. Why does he say these things?
Lennox is testing the lord to see if he is a spy for Macbeth.
Lennox is a loyal follower of Macbeth, and he can't believe that Macbeth could be a murderer.
Lennox hopes the witches prophesies are true because they have made some good predictions for him as well.
Lennox doesn't mean what he says; it is meant to be taken sarcastically.
In Act IV scene 1 Macbeth returns to the witches, and the witches summon four apparitions that deliver more prophesies to Macbeth. What are the first three of the apparitions (in the order in which they appear)?
An armed head, a bloody child, and a crowned child with a branch in his hand.
A hopping frog, a slithering snake, and a charging bull.
A bloodied soldier, a crying baby, and an eagle with a snake clutched in its talons.
A bloody birth, a child with a helmet on, and a forest that appears to be marching on its own.
Each of the apparitions delivers another prophesy to Macbeth. Which of the following is NOT one of the first three prophesies that the apparitions deliver?
Lady Macbeth will die a terrible death.
No man born of woman can harm Macbeth.
Macbeth should fear Macduff
Macbeth is safe until Birnam Wood marches to Dunsinane Hill.
What affect do the prophesies have on Macbeth?
They make him overconfident; he feels like he is invincible.
They scare him; Macbeth believes that he has a significant weakness that may be exploited.
He largely disregards them; Macbeth doesn't believe in the witches' magic.
They pacify him; Macbeth realizes that if he wants to be king he can't kill anymore.
After seeing the first three apparitions, Macbeth makes one final demand of the witches. What does he demand of them?
He demands to know whether Banquo's sons will rule Scotland.
He demands to know if Lady Macbeth will bear him a son.
He demands to know where Macduff has gone since fleeing Scotland.
He demands to know if there is an afterlife and if Banquo is there.
This witches answer Macbeth's final demand by showing him a fourth apparition. What is that vision?
A line of kings with the last holding a mirror.
White and red dragons engaged in battle.
A serpent that bites a sleeping king on the ear.
A mousing owl attacking and killing a falcon.
What does Macbeth decide to do when he learns that Macduff has gone to England?
He sends murderers to kill Macduff's family and servants as revenge for his disloyalty.
He sends word to England that Macduff should return as he is needed in Scotland.
He rewards Lennox by giving him Macduff's titles and land.
He decides to lower taxes so that he will become a more popular king while Macduff is away.
Act IV scene 2 takes place at Macduff's castle in Fife, and it largely comprised of a conversation between Lady Macduff and her son about family bonds and traitors. What prominent animal imagey is used throughout their conversation?
Birds
Serpents
Horses
Hounds
Act IV scene 3 consists of a conversation between Malcolm and Macduff. What has Macduff traveled to England to speak with Malcolm about?
The terrible conditions in Scotland; he wants Malcolm to return to Scotland and overthrow Macbeth.
He warns Malcolm that Macbeth is out to get him and it isn't safe for Malcolm to return to Scotland yet.
He wants Malcolm to unite England, Ireland, and Scotland to form the United Kingdom.
He wants revenge against Malcolm for the deaths of his wife and son.
In response to Macduff's request that Malcolm become King of Scotland, Malcolm lists numerous vices that he suffers from that would make him an even worse king than Macbeth. Why does he share all of this with Macduff?
Malcolm is testing Macduff to gauge whether Macduff would remain loyal to him.
Malcolm has no desire to become king.
Malcolm is reaching out to Macduff for help; he wants to be free of his bad habits.
Malcolm is trying to gauge whether Macduff suffers from the same vices so that he can decide if he wants to let Macduff fight in his army.
After Macduff is informed that his family is dead, Malcolm says to him, "Be this the whetstone of your sword. Let grief convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it." What advice is he giving Macduff?
He tells Macduff to harness his anger and use it to motivate him to avenge the deaths of his family against Macbeth.
He tells Macduff to stay behind in England because he is too grieved to fight.
He suggests that Macduff find a new wife so that he can have another son.
He suggests that Macduff exchange his sword for a whetstone and become a blacksmith.
In Act V scene 1 a doctor and gentlewoman watch and listen to Lady Macbeth while she is sleepwalking. What does Lady Macbeth reveal?
Macbeth is guilty of the murders of Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff's family.
Lady Macbeth and Banquo were having a secret affair.
Macbeth has been visiting the witches and has brought black magic into the house of the king.
Lady Macbeth was the third murderer of Banquo.
What does Lady Macbeth hallucinate while sleepwalking in V.1?
Spots of blood on her hands.
A floating dagger.
Banquo's bloody ghost.
Witches dancing and chanting.
In Act V scene 4 the audience learns how one of the witches prophesies will come true. How does Birnam Wood come to Dunsinane Hill?
The rebels carry branches from the trees to hide their numbers.
Catapults, towers, and battering rams are made from the trees.
The trees come alive and walk; even they hate Macbeth.
The soldiers bring acorns from the forest to plant in the ashes of Macbeth's castle.
In Act V scene 5 Macbeth hears of the death of Lady Macbeth. How does he react?
He barely reacts; he only says that she wishes she had better timing.
He breaks down and cries; he in unable to handle the death of his beloved wife.
He puts Seyton, who tells him the news, to death.
He curses her soul and says that he hopes she is in Hell.
In Act V scene 5 Macbeth delivers some of the most famous lines from the play: "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." What does this mean?
That life is meaningless and then you die and are forgotten.
That life is important and he doesn't want to die.
That he would rather be an actor, even a poor one, than a king.
That all of the people in Scotland are idiots and he is the only one that could have fixed Scotland's problems.
In Act V scene 7 Macbeth kills Young Siward. Why might Shakespeare have added this character to the play?
Young Siward is a foil to Macbeth; he acts honorably while Macbeth does not.
Young Siward is a major character, so he needs a dramatic death.
Shakespeare just wanted to add more death at the end of the play.
Shakespeare had a cousin named Young Siward whom he hated.
In Act V scene 8 the audience learns how the witches' final prediction comes true. How is it that Macbeth, who has to fear "none of woman born," can be harmed by Macduff?
Macduff was delivered by C-section.
Macduff was conceived magically and not in the traditional way.
Macduff is really a woman.
The witches were just lying to mess with Macbeth.
After Macbeth is defeated in Act V scene 8, who becomes king?
Malcolm
Macduff
The King of England takes over Scotland
Donalbain
Which character imagines a floating dagger?
Macbeth
Banquo
Fleance
Lady Macbeth
Which character goes from assertive and domineering to guilt-ridden to finally insane.
Lady Macbeth
Macbeth
Fleance
King Duncan
Father of Fleance
Banquo
Duncan
Malcolm
Macbeth
Thane of Fife and first to oppose Macbeth as king.
Macduff
Banquo
Malcolm
Fleance
Curses her husband for abandoning his family.
Lady Macduff
Lady Macbeth
Lady McDuncan
Queen of Mcdonalds
Eldest son of the King of Scotland at the opening of the play.
Malcolm
Macduff
Banquo
Fleance
Runs off to Ireland never to be heard from again.
Donalbain
Banquo
Macduff
Malcolm
Ruler who trusts too easily and is a terrible judge of character.
Duncan
Hecate
Donalbain
Macbeth
The queen of the witches.
Hecate
Seyton
Lady Macbeth
Lady Macduff.
Attendant to Macbeth
Seyton
Lady Macbeth
Banquo
Macduff
