WorksheetsMacbeth Act 1 Scenes 1-3 Review & Literary Devices
Total questions: 12
Worksheet time: 24mins
What is the primary meaning of the line 'What, can the devil speak true?' (Act 1 Scene 3 Line 105)
Banquo ignores the supernatural prediction
Banquo is shocked by the witches' prophecy
Banquo is praising the king's messenger
Banquo is questioning Ross's honesty
When Macbeth says, "The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?" (Act 1. Scene 3. 106-107), what does 'borrowed robes' symbolize in this context?
Based on Act 1 Scene 2 and what Ross and Angus say in Scene 3, how does the king view Macbeth's military achievements?
The Captain says Macbeth shows up on the battlefield "Like Valour's minion [bravery's favorite]" (Act 1 Scene 2 Line 19). Which literary device is used here?
Imagery
Simile
Metaphor
Hyperbole
In Act 1 Scene 1 the witches say, "fair is foul, and foul is fair." In Scene 3 Macbeth says, "So foul and fair a day I have not seen" (line 36). Which literary device did Shakespeare use?
Metaphor
Alliteration
Sensory lagnuage
Repetition
What is the MOST accurate paraphrase of Banquo's question to the witches: "I'th'name of truth are ye fantastical, or that indeed which outwardly you show?" (Act 1. Scene 3. Lines 50-52)
Don't lie, are you an amazing creature with special powers?
Be honest, are you imaginary or as real as you look?
Spill the tea, what is your favorite fantasy novel?
Swear to me that your bodies are real, and you're not tricking me.
Banquo can't believe what the witches predicted! He questions if it's real and says to Macbeth, "Or have we eaten the insane root, that takes the reason prisoner?" (Act 1. Scene 3. Lines 81-82). Which literary device did Shakespeare use in this line?
Allusion
Imagery
Personification
Metaphor
Which answer is the MOST accurate paraphrase of Macbeth's decision regarding what to do about the witches' prophecy: "If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me without my stir" (Act 1. Scene 3. Lines 142-143).
If fate makes me a king, then fate will make me a king without me doing anything.
I will take a chance and find a way to become king myself.
If I become king, I will have other people stir my drink for me.
I will get lucky and find an opportunity to kill the king.
Macbeth reacts to the idea of killing Duncan by saying, "Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs Against the use of nature" (Act 1. Scene 3. Lines 134-136). What literary device does Shakespeare use to show rather than tell that Macbeth is anxious?
Sensory Language
Mood
Simile
Foreshadowing
When the Captain is reporting to King Duncan, he says, "Doubtful it stood like two spent swimmers that do cling together And [start to drown]" (Act 1. Scene 2. Lines 7-9). This simile is comparing drowning swimmers to what?
Himself and fate
The armies on the battlefield
Macbeth and Macdonald
King Duncan and Macbeth
"Chance may crown me without my stir" (1.3.142). Which literary device does Shakespeare use?
Theme
Onomatopoeia
Metaphor
Personification
