MACBETH

Scene 1:

1) The play opens with thunder and lightning as the three witches enter.  What does this tell us about the mood of the play?  What do the witches symbolize beyond just superstition?  Do you really believe that they are witches? 
This tells us that the play is very dark. The witches symbolize evil beyond just superstition. Yes, because they can put spells on people and they can just disappear out of no where.  


2) What doe the witches mean when they say, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”?  What does this tell you about what is likely to go on during the play?
Appearance vs Reality, just because something seems to be fair doesn't mean it is. There will be a lot of conflict and jealousy through out the poem. 


3) How can a battle be “Lost and won”?  What foreshadow might this set-up?  What is the real battle in this play? 
You can win something but you could also lose something during the battle. The real battle is Macbeth struggle to get power and what he did to get his power. The battle for Macbeth's soul.


4) Graymalkin and Paddock are familiars (a cat and a toad).  What does this suggest about the action of the play?  What might they symbolize?
They could represent the types of witches they are and what kind of character they are. One could be a sneaky grey  cat and the other could be a nasty toad the puts spells on people. 



Scene ii

1) What does the bloody man report?
He tells them that when Macbeth killed Macdonwald it brought more problems among them. He says that when they sent out their Irish troops to run for cover it allowed the Norwegians to come out with new men and new weapons. 

2) Why is Macdonwald a worthy rebel?
Because he is fearless

3) What similes or metaphors does the captain (the bloody man) use to describe Macbeth and Banquo?  What is significant about these descriptions? 
Captain describes them as eagles and lions.


4)  “Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, or memorize another Golgotha.”  What is the allusion?  What is significant about the statement?   What does it suggest?  Please keep in mind the religious/superstitious images/symbols already presented.
It is an allusion to where christ was crucified. It suggests that it was like he just suffered all the pain christ had to go through. They are comparing the battle to where christ was crucified.

5) Who was Scotland fighting?
Scotland is fighting Norway.

Scene iii

1) Why do the witches talk in poetry?
The witches talk in poetry because when a witch usually casts a spell it is a rhyme, and poetry is just like rhyming. 


2) What do the witches predict for Macbeth?  What is the dramatic irony involved?
The predict that he will be King. He doesn't know that he is going to become thane of Cowdor. 


3) What do they witches predict for Banquo?  What irony is involved in this promise?
He will be happier but not the happiest. His offspring will become kings. 


4) What is your first impression of Macbeth in scenes ii-iii?  What is your first impression of Banquo?
My impression of Macbeth gullible and he will do anything to get his way, he just wants to be King. Banquo is very opposite of Macbeth, smart, and not easily convinced. 


5) How do Macbeth and Banquo differ in their reactions to the witches predictions?  What does this tell us about their characters?
Macbeth just listens to wait he is told and just believes them, but Banquo thinks about it more. 



6) What message does Ross bring?
He comes to say that the King is proud of Macbeth for defending his country, and he is not even scared of death, but also beware of what the witches are telling them. 


7) “But ‘tis strange!  And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray us in deepest consequence.”  Who speaks the above quote?  What is the significance or meaning of the quote?
Banquo, and telling us not to give up..?


Scene iv

1) What is Malcolm’s description of Cawdor’s execution?
He died like he was tossing away his most cherished possession like it was a worthless peace of garbage. 

2) What is the King’s response to this description?
The King replied with, you can't look at his face and be able to read his mind. The King had trusted Cawdor. 

3) Who does the King name as his successor?  How does Macbeth react to this information?
He names Malcolm as his successor. Macbeth replies by saying its a reward just getting to work for you. 


4)  “Stars hide your fires!  Let not light see my black and deep desires.  The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.”  Who speaks this quote and what is the significance of it?
Macbeth speaks this line and the significance is that he is saying the stars are hiding back the bad things that no one can see of him.