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WorksheetsMacbeth Act One
Total questions: 13
Worksheet time: 7mins
1. Which motif is not introduced in the first scene?
a. Supernatural influences
b. Man as a sinner
c. Fair being foul
d. The stormy fate of Scotland
2. What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald?
a. "Treacherous rebel! Despised rogue!"
b. "Your Majesty, Lord of all Scotland!"
c. "Murderous beast! Evil of soul!
d. "Valiant Cousin! Worthy gentleman!"
3. Who is sentenced to death?
a. Duncan
b. Ross
c. The Thane of Cawdor
d. The Captain
4. What do the witches predict in I.iii for Macbeth? For Banquo?
a. Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and eventually the king. Banquo's descendants will be king, although he will not.
b. Macbeth will be conqueror of Norway, Banquo will be king
c. Macbeth will remain Thane of Glamis. Banquo will be Thane of Cawdor, neither will ever be king.
d. Macbeth will be king. Banquo will be Thane of Glamis and Cawdor.
What news does Ross bring Macbeth?
a. Lady Macbeth has had a son
b. The Thane of Glamis has been killed
c. Macbeth now holds the title of the Thane of Cawdor
d. The army has just lost the battle with the Norwegians.
6. What does Banquo say about the motives of the "instruments of darkness?"
a. They often tell of good things without telling the bad consequences.
b. They are greedy and only make predictions when someone pays enough.
c. Good conquers evil, and their predictions will not come true.
d. The witches are crazy, and don't know what they are saying.
Macbeth says, "Stars, hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires." What are Macbeth's desires?
a. He wants to go home to see Lady Macbeth
b. He wants to raise the taxes in the lands he rules
c. He is very tired. He wants the stars to stop shining so he can sleep.
d. He wants to be king
After Lady Macbeth reads the letter, what does she tell us is her opinion of Macbeth, and how does she plan to help him?
a. She doesn't think he would be a good king, but since he is her husband, she will support him in whatever he wants to do.
b. She thinks he could be a good king, but he lacks the hard-heartedness which would allow him to get the position. She will talk him into it.
c. She does not want him to be king, and vows to stop him.
d She thinks Banquo would be a better king, she plans to convince Macbeth to support Banquo instead.
What is Lady Macbeth's "prayer" to the spirits after she learns Duncan is coming"?
a. 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.
b. She prays that Duncan will die on the way to see Macbeth. She asks the witches to create a terrible storm.
c. She wants her husband's nerve to become stronger so that she will not have to do the actual stabbing.
d. She asks for a sign that her decision is the right one for her husband and for the country.
What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home?
a. 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.
b. He should let Banquo in on the plan so that he has more help.
c. He must learn to look innocent even when his heart is full of evil.
d. This would not be a good time to murder Duncan. They should wait a few days.
What are Macbeth's arguments to himself against killing Duncan?
a. There are too many witnesses in the castle. He could never get away with it.
b. Macbeth is Duncan's kinsman and subject. Duncan is a good and popular king; his death would bring sorrow to Scotland.
c. 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.
d. 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?
a. She tells him not be to a coward, but to be a man and go and get what he wants.
b. 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
c. 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.
d. 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.
What is Lady Macbeth's plan?
a. She will put poison in the king's food. He will die in his sleep and it will look like a natural death.
b. They will bribe the guards and offer them money and power to kill the king.
c. 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.
d. She will drug the king's guards. Macbeth will then go into the king's room and kill him.
