WorksheetsMacbeth Act I Scenes 1-4
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 2hrs 56mins
(Act I, scene i.) Describe the weather when the play begins.
The setting of Macbeth is __________.
England in the High Middle Ages
England in the Dark Ages
Scotland in the High Middle Ages
Scotland in the Dark Ages
What important role do the witches play in Act I?
They foreshadow events to come.
They explain the historical background of the play to the audience
They provide comic relief.
They symbolize the Holy Trinity.
How many make up the "Weird Sisters"?
Three
Five
Seven
Nine
Twelve
Select all that apply. Which of the following lines are said by the Weird Sisters?
"Fair is foul and foul is fair."
"A drum, a drum! Macbeth doth come."
"'Aroint thee, witch!' the rump-fed runnion cries."
"Three times your way, then three times mine, and three times again, to add up to nine."
"Noble Macbeth has won what the Thane of Cawdor has lost."
Before Macbeth appears onstage in the play, he is described as
an unworthy liar who cheats his way through life
a coward who runs away from fights
an honorable and brave soldier
an excellent father and loving husband
Who is also described as having fought bravely with Macbeth at the beginning of the play?
Duncan
Macdonwald
What three titles do the witches give Macbeth?
What prediction do the witches make for Banquo regarding his sons?
Which best describes the difference in opinion of the witches between Banquo and Macbeth?
While Banquo feels the witches are simply old hags to be laughed at, Macbeth is terrified of them and wants them to go away.
While Banquo feels the witches are nothing but scary old hags, Macbeth feels they should be treated with kindness like any living things.
While Banquo is enraptured by the words of the witches, Macbeth feels as if he is too important to pay them any mind.
While Banquo is skeptical of their words and their prophecies, Macbeth finds himself curious and wanting to hear more from them.
Shakespeare has three ways that a character shows what s/he is thinking: aside, monologue, and soliloquy. What is a soliloquy?
When a character talks to him/herself with other characters on the stage
When a character talks to other characters on the stage
When a character talks to one other character on the stage.
When a character talks to him/herself with no one else on stage.
How does Macbeth react to the witches’ prophecies?
He starts thinking about what would need to happen for him to attain a higher title.
He becomes overwhelmed by the responsibility of a higher title.
He sees them as a bad omen.
He brushes them off because he doesn’t believe that anyone could accurately predict the future.
After Macbeth learns that he has become the thane of Cawdor, he says, “And the best part of what they predicted is still to come” (Act I, scene iii, line 125). What does he mean by this?
Cite a quote from Act I, Scene ii that shows that Macbeth is brave.
What does Macbeth find himself thinking about doing that makes his “hair stand on end” (Act I, scene iii, line 151)
What does Macbeth mean when he says, “If fate wants me to be king, perhaps fate will just make it happen and I won’t have to do anything” (Act I, scenes iii, line 160). How is Macbeth conflicted at the end of this scene?
he committed treason by rebelling against King Duncan and Scotland
What does the following line reveal about Macbeth?
"...stars, hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires."
While he is afraid of the witches, he still wants to know more about them.
While he is secretly eager to gain power, he must not let this ambition show.
While he knows Banquo doesn't believe the witches, he still does.
While he is pleased with the witches, he cannot tell Banquo, who is scared.
"Fair is foul, and foul is fair
Hover through the fog and filthy air." (Act I, scene i, line 13) This line is an example of the literary device/s called (select any/all that apply)
alliteration
allusion
metaphor
paradox
Identify the speaker: "What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won."
Banquo
King Duncan
Lady Macbeth
The witches
