Macbeth Act 1 Quiz

Why does Shakespeare open the play by showing the witches?Why is it good for Macbeth not to appear first? Shakespeare open the play with the witches to create an ominous atmosphere and to allow the audience to settle in before bringing the main characters to the stage
How does Duncan reward Macbeth for his bravery in defeating the rebels? Duncan rewards Macbeth’s bravery by naming him the Thane of Cawdor
Comment on the order in which Duncan announces it and Macbeth finds it out. Macbeth finds out about his new title from the witches before he is officially given the news from King Duncan
Macbeth calls the day “foul and fair.” Comment on what you think he means. the day of the battle is fair because Macbeth is the hero in the victory and foul because he also meets the witches that day who are accompanied by stormy weather
When Macbeth is told of his new title, how do he and banquo react? Can you think of reasons for the difference in reactions? Macbeth is enraptured to hear of the predictions made by the witches, Banquo more skeptical.Macbeth is given a more detailingly glorious profecy for the future. Banquo will be an ancestor of kings- and Macbeth shall be a king
Why does Macbeth call Malcolm “a step on which he must fall down or else o’er leap”? Which of these alternatives do you expect Macbeth to choose and how might he do it? Macbeth sees Duncan’s son Malcolm as a step or obstacle bc Duncan has named him as a successor to the throne. Macbeth seems fixated on the idea of becoming king so he is more likely to leap o’er Malcolm than allow him to get in his way.
What does Lady Macbeth fear about her husband, after she has read the letter? As Lady Macbeth is reading her husband’s letter about meeting the weird witched she fears he is too soft to kill Duncan. She states he “is too full of the milk of human kindness.”
Lady Macbeth tells her husband to ” look like the innocent flower/but be the serpent under it.” Explain what she means superficial appearances cannot be trusted and often what seems appealing and safe is actually designed to lull us into a false sense of security and leads to our downfall.
What is the purpose and the effects of Duncan’s and Banquo’s comments when they approach Macbeth’s castle? Duncan and Banquo comment on the beauty of Inverness, the Macbeth’s castle, which is a good example of dramatic irony. This heavenly spot will soon be for Duncan a place of hellish slaughter.
Why, in Macbeth’s opinion, is the murder of Duncan so wrong? Macbeth knows that killing Duncan is wrong because: he’s a relative (kinsman); he’s a king he is a subject to; he is his host and should take care of him; and he, Duncan, is a benevolent king who deserves a dignified end
How does Lady Macbeth make sure that her husband murders Duncan? Lady Macbeth emasculates her husband by questioning his courage and threatening that any love between them will disappear along with his broken promise.

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