Short Answer Study Guide Questions Macbeth
Who are the first characters to appear in this play? Three Witches.
Macbeth Study Guide Answer Key
What is the weather like at the beginning of the play? Lightning and thunder. What do the witches vow to do at the beginning of the play? When do the witches want to meet?
After a mighty battle. Where does the sun seem to set at the beginning of the play? Where is this play set?
Who do the witches plan to meet after parting in Act 1, Scene 1? What do the witches sense in the air in Act 1, Scene 1?
Something murky. This section contains 4,437 words (approx. 15 pages at 300 words per page).
Macbeth+Study+Questions & Answers.pdf - Macbeth - Study QuestionsACT ONEIn the first three scenes of Act One, rather than meeting Macbeth immediately, we arepresented with others' reactions to him. Scene One begins with the witches who aresymbols of evil and superstition.
They arrange to meet Macbeth sometime in the nearfuture when a battle is concluded. They also introduce the central paradox of the play:fair is foul, foul is fair.Answer the following questions:1. Why is Macbeth first introduced through the witches?To establish the importance of fate and superstition in the play.2. Explain what you think is meant by the paradoxical: “Fair is foul, foul is fair.”All that was good is now evil and vice versa.Scene Two introduces us to Duncan, the King. The bloodied Captain who has justreturned from battle reports on Macbeth’s victories.3. Summarize the Captain's description of the battle and the part Macbeth played insecuring victory.We have discussed this at length and students should write a summary in theirnotes.4. What impression do you gain of Macbeth from this description?Brave and heroic general.
Loyal to Duncan.5. The Thane of Cawdor was obviously a traitor.
What does Duncan's comment:No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceiveOur bosom interest:suggest about Duncan's former relationship with him?He was a trusted member of Duncan’s inner circle.Scene Three sees the return of the witches:6. Carefully read their discussion of their attempt to take revenge on the sailor's wife.What does this episode suggest about the extent and the limits of their powers?Shows how far their will take a minor grievance and that they can create great havocon the Earth by changing the weather.7. Macbeth's entry is a shock because his first words echo those of the witches in sceneone: “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”.
Explain why Macbeth says this line?To comment on the bloody events of the victorious day8. What literary purpose does it serve for Macbeth’s first line to echo the witches?To bring him into this paradoxical theme.Page 1.