Vocabulary Words

1) Surmised - Verb
suppose something is true without having evidence to prove it.


2) Bounteous - Adjective
generously given or giving; bountiful. 

3) Consort - Noun
A wife, husband or companion, in particular the spouse of a reigning monarch.

4) Corporal - Noun
A low ranking soldier in the army. 


5) Prate - Verb
Talking foolishly or tediously about something.


6) Dauntless - Adjective
Showing fearlessness and determination.


7) Chastise - Verb
Rebuke or reprimand severely.


8) Chalice - Noun
A large cup or goblet, typically used for drinking wine.


9) Undivulged - Verb
To disclose or reveal.

10) Surfeit - Noun
Excess; excessive amount. 

MACBETH: Study Questions—ACT 5

Scene 1

1) What do the nurse (gentlewoman) and the doctor see?

Lady Macbeth sleep walking.
2) What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, “Out, damned spot! Out, I 

say!...will these hands never be clean.”

She sees blood on her hands but cannot wash it off.
3) What is wrong with Lady Macbeth at this point of the play?

She like Macbeth, is going crazy because of all the things that have happened.

Scene 2

1) What happens in this scene? What new characters are introduced? Why?

The soldiers are on their way to fight Macbeth. We meet Menteith, Caithness, and Angus because they introduce the opposing side.
2) What is the significance of the scene?

They give information about Macbeth and the leadrers of the army.
3) What is meant when Caithness says, “Some say he’d mad; others that lesser hate him do call it valiant fury”?
Some say Macbeth is actually psycho and others say he is angry.
Scene 3

1) How would you describe Macbeth’s attitude and mood in this scene?

Macbeth is just hearing of the army on it's way and sends for his own, he acts like he isn't afraid.
2) Why isn’t Macbeth afraid? Do his soldier’s seem afraid? Why or why not?
He knows that no one can hurt him born of a woman. They are afraid that he thinks too highly of himself and has just lost his mind.
Scene 4

1) What does Malcolm order the soldiers to do?
To keep marching on because it will all be settled with violence.
Scene 5

1) What is meant when Macbeth says, “She should have died here-after”?

She should have died after the war.
2) What is the significant of the following quote, “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is told no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing.”

Life is like an illusion, filled with things that distract us from important things.

Scene 6

1) What is important about this scene?

This is the start of the war, no going back.

Scene 7

1) Who does Macbeth kill in this scene? What is significant about this death?
He kills Siward's son, and brings up how he can not be killed by someone born of a woman.
Scene 8

1) What happens in this scene?

Macduff kills Macbeth.
2) Why does Macbeth lose heart in the fight against Macduff?

Macduff wins because his mother had a C-section, so he wasn't technically born of a woman.
3) Who is named king at the end of the play?

Malcolm.

What You Need to Know for the Quiz

What You Need to Know for the Quiz

Review all study questions.  Many of the questions will come from these.

Be able to pick out one motif and explain how it creates meaning in the text.
"Fair is foul and foul is fair" Whatever right is wrong and whatever wrong is right. Also whatever is pretty is ugly. 
The birds represent the witches and the murderers. 

List the five elements of tragedy 

1) Tragic hero


2) Ready to fall


3) Internal conflict


4) Dramatic foils

List the five elements of tragic hero

1) Noble birth


2) Loyal, virtuous, full of high morals


3) Tragic flaw


4) Tragic flaw causes down fall


5) Audience learns something through the character's downfall

Define and give an example of a soliloquy and a monologue

A soliloquy (when a character in a play speaks to just the audience) would be when Macbeth speaks to the floating dagger, and a monologue (a long speech by character) would be when the Porter hears the knocking.

Discuss how Act 1, Act 2, Act, 3, and Act 4 end.
Act 1 Lady Macbeth plans Duncan's death with Macbeth, Act2 Malcolm and Donaldbain flee and Macduff doesn't support Macbeth, Act 3 Everyone is suspicious about Macbeth, Act 4, Malcolm and Macduff see if they will be loyal to each other and plan to send out an army, and Macbeth has killed everyone affiliated with Macduff.

Outline the plot through Act 4.
The witches cast spells and predictions, we meet Banquo and learn of war with Scotland, Macbeth kills Duncan for power, Malcolm and donaldbain flee, Macbeth kills more people close to Macduff, the witches show Macbeth more visions, and Malcolm and Macduff plain to join forces.

Brief discuss the importance of all the characters you have met in the play so far.

Macbeth- Macbeth is king, murdered Duncan among many others. The tragic focus of this play.

Macduff- Macduff is a soldier for the king.

The Porter- Commentator of events, shows the hell-like atmosphere of the castle.
Lady Macbeth- Wife of Macbeth also Queen, planner of Duncan's death.

Lady Macduff- Wife of Macduff killed by Macbeth.

The Witches- Speakers of the future and motifs.
Duncan- King, was murdered by Macbeth.

Lennox- Thane of Scotland, against Macbeth.

The Doctor- The doctor shows the conscience of Lady Macbeth.
Malcolm- Son of Duncan, fled upon death of father.

Ross-   Noble man of Scotland fighting Macbeth.

The Bloody Captain- He described the battle to Duncan.

Donalbain-  Son of Duncan, fled upon death of father.

Seyton-   A lieutenant of Macbeth. 

Fleance- Son of Banquo, prophesied to be king by the witches.
Banquo- Loyal friend of Macbeth, later killed. 

Menteith-  Apart of the Scottish forces against Macbeth.

Siward- Leader of the English army.

Define and give two examples of dramatic foils.

1) Macbeth is predicted to be king and Banquo's children are predicted to be king.

2) Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both show evil and sane characteristics, their evil characteristics dominate.

Act 4 Questions

Macbeth

4.1

1) What are the four visions that Macbeth sees?
An armed head, a bloody child, a crowned child with a tree in his hand and a show of eight kings,
2) Which visions does he misread or misunderstand and why?
He thought he didn't have to kill Macduff, he doesn't think anyone will fight him. He believes he has no reason, an he thinks his only competition in a sense is Banquo.
3) What news does Lennox bring Macbeth?
He tells him that Macduff has fled to England.
4) What does Macbeth decide from Lennox’s news?
He is going to kill everyone related or affiliated with Macduff.
5) How might this scene be a possible climax for the play?
Because Macbeth has spun out of control.

4.2

1) Why does Shakespeare include a scene with Lady Macduff and her son?
Because Lady Macduff wants to know about here husbands flight, and she tries to explain to her son.
2) What is important about this scene?
A messenger tries to warn them to flee, but, the murderers catch them before the escape. They die.
3) List one motif or symbol from this scene?
Lady Macduff is the bird who must protect the son who is referred to as the egg.


4.3

1) Why has Macduff come to England?
He wants to speak with Malcolm about Macbeth.
2) What is Malcolm’s fear in lines 10-19?
He fears Macduff will kill him, and doesn't know who to trust.
3) Who does the lamb represent in these lines?
Macduff is the lamb, like Christ.
4) What is significant in the lines “Angles are bright still, though the brightest fell./Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace,/ yet grace must still look so.”
He is saying lucifer is the brightest angel, like Macbeth.
5) What is significant in the line, “Bleed, bleed, pour country!”
Macduff believe Scotland is wounded because of Macbeth's actions.
6) What does Malcolm call Macbeth? What list of adjectives does he use?
justice, verity, temp'rance, stableness, bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, devotion, patience, courage, & fortitude.
7) How has Malcolm changed since Act II?
He has gone from brave to fearful.
8) What is the atmosphere of this scene? Why is this important?
Malcolm thinks he will be worse than Macbeth as king. It is important because the whole plan is to make Malcolm king, but his views of himself have changed.
9) What news does the doctor bring? How is this symbolic to the scene, especially to Malcolm?
People are waiting for King Edward of England's healing touch.
10) How many men did England lend Macduff?
Ten thousand soldiers.
11) What does Macduff mean when he says, “But I must also feel it as a man.”
It must fight/ be tough and manly. 

Macbeth Act 1 & 2 Sentence Summaries

Act 1

Scene 1: The Witches speak in poetry, planning to meet with Macbeth.

Scene 2: The battle and the bravery is explained by the bloody captain.

Scene 3: The witches predict Macbeth will be king.

Scene 4: Macbeth makes known that Malcolm is between him and the crown.

Scene 5: Lady Macbeth plans Duncan's death/

Scene 6: Duncan arrives, thankful for the hospitality

Scene 7: Lady Macbeth forces the reluctant Macbeth to kill Duncan.

Act 2

Scene 1: Macbeth has murdered Duncan.

Scene 2: Lady Macbeth reassures Macbeth by telling him to wash his hands.

Scene 3: After dead Duncan has been discovered Malcolm and Donaldbain flee the court.

Scene 4: Macbeth is to be crowned, suspicion arises.