Short Answer Questions:

1. Who is the first character to speak in Act I of Macbeth?
2. What do the witches predict for Macbeth in Act I?
3. How does Lady Macbeth convince Macbeth to go through with the murder of King Duncan?
4. Who discovers King Duncan’s body?
5. What does Macbeth see before he murders King Duncan?
6. Who is named the new king after Duncan’s death?
7. What does Banquo suspect about Macbeth after Duncan’s murder?
8. Who does Macbeth hire to kill Banquo and his son Fleance?
9. What does Macbeth see at the banquet that terrifies him?
10. Who does Macbeth visit to seek advice and guidance in Act III?
11. What does Macbeth plan to do to Macduff’s castle and family?
12. Who warns Lady Macduff that she and her children are in danger?
13. What does Lady Macbeth do in her sleepwalking state?
14. Who leads the English army against Macbeth?
15. What does Macbeth see in the final apparition that makes him feel invincible?

Finding Supporting Text Questions:

1. What does Macbeth say to himself after hearing the witches’ prophecies in Act I?
2. How does Lady Macbeth describe her husband’s character in Act I?
3. What does Macbeth say to Lady Macbeth when she questions his manhood in Act I?
4. How does Lady Macbeth convince Macbeth to go through with the murder of King Duncan in Act I?
5. What does Macbeth say to the murderers to convince them to kill Banquo in Act III?
6. How does Macbeth react when he sees Banquo’s ghost at the banquet in Act III?
7. What does Macbeth say to the witches when he visits them in Act IV?
8. How does Lady Macbeth react to the news of Duncan’s murder in Act II?
9. What does Macbeth say to the murderers to convince them to kill Banquo’s son Fleance in Act III?
10. How does Macbeth react when he hears that Macduff has fled to England in Act III?

Major Plot Points, Literary Devices, and Themes Questions:

1. What is the major turning point in Act I of Macbeth?
2. How does Shakespeare use the motif of blood in Act II?
3. What is the theme of ambition in Macbeth?
4. How does Macbeth’s character change throughout Acts I-III?
5. What role do the witches play in the plot of Macbeth?

Answer Key:

Short Answer Questions:

1. The first character to speak in Act I of Macbeth is the First Witch.
2. The witches predict that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and then king.
3. Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to go through with the murder of King Duncan by questioning his manhood and manipulating his ambition.
4. Macduff discovers King Duncan’s body.
5. Macbeth sees a floating dagger before he murders King Duncan.
6. Macbeth is named the new king after Duncan’s death.
7. Banquo suspects that Macbeth has committed foul play to become king.
8. Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance.
9. Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo at the banquet, which terrifies him.
10. Macbeth visits the witches to seek advice and guidance in Act III.
11. Macbeth plans to attack Macduff’s castle and kill his family.
12. Ross warns Lady Macduff that she and her children are in danger.
13. Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and tries to wash imaginary blood off her hands.
14. Malcolm leads the English army against Macbeth.
15. Macbeth sees the final apparition of a child crowned with a tree in his hand, which makes him feel invincible.

Finding Supporting Text Questions:

1. Macbeth says, “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir” (Act I, Scene 3).
2. Lady Macbeth describes her husband’s character as “too full o’ the milk of human kindness” (Act I, Scene 5).
3. Macbeth responds to Lady Macbeth’s questioning of his manhood by saying, “I dare do all that may become a man” (Act I, Scene 7).
4. Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to go through with the murder of King Duncan by saying, “Screw your courage to the sticking-place” (Act I, Scene 7).
5. Macbeth tells the murderers that Banquo is their enemy and that they should kill him to secure their own safety (Act III, Scene 1).
6. Macbeth reacts to seeing Banquo’s ghost at the banquet by saying, “Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake thy gory locks at me” (Act III, Scene 4).
7. Macbeth tells the witches that he wants to know more about his future and his enemies (Act IV, Scene 1).
8. Lady Macbeth reacts to the news of Duncan’s murder by saying, “A little water clears us of this deed” (Act II, Scene 2).
9. Macbeth tells the murderers that Banquo’s son Fleance is a threat to their safety and must be killed (Act III, Scene 1).
10. Macbeth reacts to hearing that Macduff has fled to England by saying, “The castle of Macduff I will surprise, seize upon Fife, give to the edge o’ the sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line” (Act IV, Scene 1).

Major Plot Points, Literary Devices, and Themes Questions:

1. The major turning point in Act I of Macbeth is when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth decide to go through with the murder of King Duncan.
2. Shakespeare uses the motif of blood in Act II to symbolize guilt and the consequences of Macbeth’s actions.
3. The theme of ambition in Macbeth explores the destructive nature of unchecked ambition and the lengths people will go to achieve power.
4. Macbeth’s character changes from a loyal and honorable soldier to a ruthless and paranoid tyrant throughout Acts I-III.
5. The witches play a significant role in the plot of Macbeth as they manipulate Macbeth’s ambition and provide prophecies that drive his actions.