Act I, scene i

The three witches, also known as “The Weird Sisters”, come together in scene i and make

plans to meet again.

When do they plan on meeting? ____________________________________________________________________

Where do they plan on meeting? ___________________________________________________________________

Who do they plan to meet with? ____________________________________________________________________

Act II, scene ii

1) As the captain relates the events of the battle to King Duncan, he explains that

_________________________________ is a traitor but that _______________________________ and

_________________________________ fought courageously for Scotland.

2) At this point in the play, how is Macbeth viewed by the other noblemen? What

words are used to describe him?

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3) What announcement does King Duncan make at the end of scene ii?

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Act I, scene iii

1) List 3 things the witches have been doing or plan to do.

1. _______________________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________________________

What impression do these deeds form of the witches?

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2) In your own words, write a physical description of the Weird Sisters based on

Banquo’s words (lines 37-45).

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3) When the witches first speak to Macbeth, they make three statements about him.

The first statement is a fact, and the second two are predictions. What are the three

statements the witches make about Macbeth?

1. Truth: ___________________________________________________________________________

2. Prediction: _____________________________________________________________________

3. Prediction: _____________________________________________________________________

4) The witches also make three predictions about Banquo. What three predictions do

they make regarding Banquo?

1. Prediction: ___________________________________________________________________________

2. Prediction: ___________________________________________________________________________

3. Prediction: ___________________________________________________________________________

5) When Ross and Angus enter, one of the predictions regarding Macbeth comes true.

Which prediction is fulfilled?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Proof from the text:

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6) What does Macbeth mean when he says “If chance will have me king, why, chance

may crown me without my stir” (line 143)? How does this line show his feelings

about the witches’ predictions?

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IMPORTANT VOCABULARY:

Aside: A character’s speech, directed to the audience, that is not supposed to be

heard by other actors on stage. An aside is used to let the audience know what a

character is about to do or what he/she is thinking.

Why do you think the above line was said in an aside instead of in front of all the

characters?

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Act I, scene iv

At King Duncan’s castle:

Duncan hears news of _________________________________ confession of treason

Duncan thanks and praises ______________________________ and ____________________________

for their courage during battle

Duncan names his son ________________________________ as the heir to his throne (The

Prince of __________________________________)

Duncan plans to dine at Macbeth’s castle, ___________________________________

After Duncan names his son as the prince, and therefore the next king, Macbeth says in an

aside:

“The Prince of Cumberland – that is a step on which I must fall down or else overleap,

for in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires.”

What is the literal meaning of this statement?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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What are Macbeth’s “desires”? Why do you think he feels these desires are “black and

deep”?

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Act I, scene v

Dear Lady Macbeth,

The day we won the battle, I met with three witches,

who I have been told hold the power to predict the future!

The Weird Sisters then told me that not only would I be

Thane of Glamis, but Thane of Cawdor and indeed, the King

as well! I wanted badly to ask them more questions, but they

vanished into thin air! Just as I was thinking I was going

crazy, the King and his men appeared and hailed me Thane

of Cawdor, as the witches had predicted. Does this mean I

will be king as they predicted as well? I wanted to deliver

this information to you, my great partner, so that you too

could rejoice at the greatness that is coming not only in my

direction, but in yours.

Your husband, Macbeth

1) Why does Lady Macbeth fear that her husband is “too full of the milk of human

kindness”? (line 16)

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2) What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says she will “pour my spirits in thine ear

and chastise with the valour of my tongue all that impedes thee from golden round”?

(lines 25-27)

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3) As soon as Lady Macbeth read the letter from her husband, it is clear that she

decides to take over the plan to make the witches’ predictions come true. Read Lady

Macbeth’s soliloquy. Supply examples/references for each of the following:

IMPORTANT VOCABULARY:

Soliloquy: A speech given by a character who is alone one stage. The speech

reveals thoughts and motivations to the audience. A soliloquy is different from

an aside because during an aside, other characters remain on stage.

Foreshadowing of Lady Macbeth’s plan:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Diction that provides an ominous/foreboding mood:

1) _______________________________________ 2) ____________________________________________

3) _______________________________________ 4) ____________________________________________

5) _______________________________________ 6) ____________________________________________

Proof of Lady Macbeth’s ambition:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4) When Macbeth returns to his castle, what advice does Lady Macbeth give him

about how to proceed while King Duncan is their guest? Include 3 main points.

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5) In your opinion, what type of person does Lady Macbeth

seem to be?

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Act I, scene vi

In scene vi, Duncan and his train arrive at Macbeth’s castle. What is the dramatic irony

present in this scene?

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Act I, scene vii

1) Read Macbeth’s soliloquy (lines 1-27). Finish each of the following statements in

your own words:

Macbeth feels that if they are going to kill the King then the murder must be _________________

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Macbeth fears that if he kills the king, then _______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Macbeth feels the king is at his castle in “double trust” because _________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Vaulting ambition” means __________________________________________________________________________

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2) Outline Lady Macbeth’s plan to assassinate the king.

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END OF ACT I: “False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”