Macbeth by William Shakespeare (Questions & Answers)

Macbeth

by William Shakespeare

(Questions & Answers)

 

1.               What is the basic story of Macbeth?

-    Macbeth, full title The Tragedy of Macbeth, is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy. In the play, a Scottish general named Macbeth receives a prophecy from three witches, that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne for himself. He is then wracked with guilt and paranoia. Forced to commit more and more murders to protect himself from enmity and suspicion, he soon becomes a tyrannical ruler. The bloodbath and consequent civil war swiftly take Macbeth and Lady Macbeth into the realms of madness and death.

 

2.               What is the source of Shakespeare's play, Macbeth?

-    Shakespeare's source for the play, Macbeth, is the account of Macbeth, King of Scotland, Macduff, and Duncan in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), a history of England, Scotland, and Ireland familiar to Shakespeare and his contemporaries, although the events in the play differ extensively from the history of the real Macbeth. The events of the tragedy are usually associated with the execution of Henry Garnet for complicity in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

 

3.               Is Macbeth a true story?

-    Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth is not itself a true story, but many of the figures and events in the play are rooted in real history. The historical Macbeth was a Scottish war-lord, who lived from 1004 to 1057. Macbeth became king of Scotland in 1040 after killing the ruling King Duncan I in battle.

 

4.               Why is Macbeth called the Scottish play?

-    According to a theatrical superstition, called the Scottish curse, saying 'Macbeth' in a theatre will immediately bring bad luck. According to folklore, the play's history of bad luck began at its very first performance.

 

5.               What are the important events in Macbeth?

-    The important events within Macbeth are:

·      The witches prophesize that Macbeth will become king.

·      Macbeth murders King Duncan.

·      Macbeth murders Banquo, but Fleance escapes.

·      Macbeth listens to the witches' new prophecies.

·      Macbeth murders Macduff's family.

·      Malcolm and Macduff join forces to overthrow Macbeth.

 

6.               What are the 5 themes in Macbeth?

-    Key themes of Shakespeare's Macbeth include:

·      good versus evil,

·      the dangers of ambition,

·      the influence of supernatural forces,

·      the contrast between appearance and reality,

·      loyalty and guilt.

 

7.               What does blood symbolize in Macbeth?

-    Once Macbeth and Lady Macbeth embark upon their murderous journey, blood comes to symbolize their guilt, and they begin to feel that their crimes have stained them in a way that cannot be washed clean.

 

8.               What do hallucinations represent in Macbeth?

-    In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the motif of hallucinations to symbolize how guilt leads to a major moral decline in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

 

9.               What does sleep symbolize in Macbeth?

-    Sleep symbolizes peace and innocence in Macbeth. For example, in Act 2, Scene 2, after murdering King Duncan in his sleep, Macbeth hears a voice say, ''Macbeth does murder sleep.'' Not only has Macbeth destroyed Duncan's sleep but also his own ability to rest peacefully.

 

10.        What does water symbolize in Macbeth?

-    Water is correlated with guilt throughout the play, and is a very important symbol because Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both turn to water for cleansing when they feel guilt.

 

11.        What were Macbeth's last words?

-    It is too late, he drags me down; I sink, I sink, — my soul is lost forever!

 

12.        What does fair is foul and foul is fair mean in Macbeth?

-    The phrase “Fair is Foul, Foul is Fair” (Act 1, Scene 1) is chanted by the three witches at the beginning of the play. It acts as a summary of what is to come in the tale. Shakespeare uses the phrase to show that what is considered good is in fact bad and what is considered bad is actually good.

 

13.        What does the Banquo's ghost symbolize in Macbeth?

-    Banquo's ghost is a manifestation of Macbeth's guilt and fear. Macbeth's hallucinations indicate that he is mentally unstable and the murders have irreparably damaged his mind and soul. Banquo is Macbeth's foil and is a morally upright, loyal and individual throughout the play.

 

14.        What creepy hallucinations does Macbeth have before he kills Duncan?

The hallucination of a dagger appears to Macbeth before he kills King Duncan. It seems to symbolize fate, or possibly the words of Lady Macbeth or some other agent, spurring him on toward murder.

 

15.        What are Macbeth's 3 hallucinations?

-    Macbeth has three key hallucinations that play a considerably important role in the development of his character: a dagger, the ghost of Banquo, and four apparitions while visiting the prophesying witches.

 

16.        What does the crown symbolize in Macbeth?

-    The crown symbolizes the highest form of power and authority one can have as a ruler. In Macbeth, the crown rightfully belongs to king Duncan, who is a mild and honorable ruler, respecting loyalty, true friendship and bravery.

 

17.        What does the bell symbolize in Macbeth?

-    When the bell is rung by Lady Macbeth, it is a signal telling Macbeth that the chamberlains are in a drunken stupor, but it also is summoning King Duncan to his grave. The ringing of the bell is the sign that tells Macbeth it is time for him to go and kill Duncan.

 

18.        What does milk symbolize in Macbeth?

-    “Come to my woman's breasts, / And take my milk for gall,” Lady Macbeth says as she prepares herself to commit murder. The language suggests that her womanhood, represented by breasts and milk, usually symbols of nurture, impedes her from performing acts of violence and cruelty, which she associates with manliness.

 

19.        What does Macbeth's infected air mean?

-    Macbeth speaks this line -- "Infected be the air whereon they ride, / and damned all those that trust them!" -- about the witches. This is complete irony. What the sentence means is that the witches are such terrible, sick creatures that even the air which they ride on becomes infected from them.

 

20.        What does “sound and fury signifying nothing” mean?

-    It is a tale. Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing." Macbeth's perspective on life is melancholy and dark as he compares life to a "walking shadow," meaning that life is empty and has no substance.

 

21.        What does “O full of scorpions is my mind”
mean?

-    “O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!” Macbeth uses a metaphor to explain that his guilty conscience is attacking and stinging him.

 

22.        What is Hecate's plan for Macbeth?

-    Hecate wants the witches to meet Macbeth as she is planning for them to cast the spell on Macbeth that she has prepared. This spell would give Macbeth illusions and make him feel invincible thus being over-confident and leading to his downfall.

 

23.        How does Lady Macbeth try to calm her husband?

-    In hopes of calming the strange situation, Lady Macbeth excuses her husband's odd behavior by telling their guests that Macbeth has suffered from similar strange attacks as a youth. Macbeth then begins to ask his guests whether or not they also see the ghost, and Lady Macbeth quickly intervenes.

 

24.        What happens to Lady Macbeth before she dies?

-    She is plagued by fits of sleepwalking. She is haunted by the ghost of Duncan. She sees her children killed in battle.

 

25.        Who does Macbeth see sitting in his chair?

-    During the banquet, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo sitting at his place at the table. He is horrified. Lady Macbeth reassures the guests that it is a momentary fit and tells Macbeth to stop. The ghost disappears and Macbeth is calm.

 

26.        What was Lady Macbeth's reason for not killing Duncan herself?

-    Although Lady Macbeth wants Duncan dead (and although she provides the knife for Macbeth to use), she doesn't do it herself. The excuse she gives is that Duncan, when sleeping, looks too much like her father.

 

27.        What does light and darkness symbolize in Macbeth?

-    Light and darkness represent the tragedies that took place throughout the play. Light represents the good things that happen and darkness represents bad or evil things. One example of light is when Macbeth was given the thane of Glamis, he was very elated and there was sunshine at that time.

 

28.        What does clothing symbolize in Macbeth?

-    In William Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth, Shakespeare uses clothes as a metaphor throughout the play. The symbolism of clothing helped emphasize the change of power in Scotland, the change of opinions, and how the new change did not “fit” properly

 

29.        What word could Macbeth not say after killing Duncan?

-    After the murder, Macbeth describes him of struggling to say 'Amen'. His attempt to pray is rejected, meaning that God will not bless him rather he is cursed to the evil deeds; killing Duncan when he is sleeping.

 

30.        What does the owl symbolize in Macbeth?

-    The owl is a symbol of death and is used in many instances to portray evil and darkness. Here, the sound of the owl marks the death of Duncan, alarming Lady Macbeth that the Macbeth has already committed the deed.

 

31.        What prophecy was not fulfilled in Macbeth?

-    Banquo's sons will be kings

 

32.        What does ‘life is but a shadow’ mean?

-    “Life is but a walking shadow, a poor player, / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, / And then is heard no more. It is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing.” This quote, spoken by Macbeth, means that life is brief and meaningless.

 

33.        What does Macbeth withhold from his wife?

-    Macbeth’s plan to murder Banquo and Fleance

 

34.        What 3 things does Macbeth learn from the witches?

-    The three messages Macbeth receives from the three apparitions are that he should beware of Macduff, that no man born of woman will harm him, and that he will not be conquered until Birnam Wood marches to fight him.

 

35.        Who makes excuses for Macbeth's strange behavior?

-    Lady Macbeth makes excuses for all of Macbeth's strange behaviors by saying that he frequently has visions.

 

36.        What does Lady Macbeth do when the ghost reappears?

-    Lady Macbeth keeps making excuses for Macbeth's behavior and she sends the frightened guests home.

 

37.        Did Lady Macbeth have a baby?

-    It's not a surprise that Macbeth and his wife have lost a child — she says “I have given suck, and know / How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me,” but there's no sign of their child anywhere in Shakespeare's play.

 

38.        Is Lady Macbeth a villain?

-    Lady Macbeth is considered, by some critics and scholars, to be the main villain of the play, despite the fact that she never actually kills anyone and plays no direct part in the dozens of murders that her husband later commits. The reason is that she was the one who made Macbeth the way he is in the first place.

 

39.        What does snake symbolize in Macbeth?

-    The serpent is a symbol used to represent treachery. Lady Macbeth warns her husband to 'look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under't'. The symbolism here shows that Lady Macbeth wishes her husband to appear well-meaning and gentle to hide his deceit.

 

40.        What does the falcon symbolize in Macbeth?

-    The falcon represents Duncan, while the owl represents Macbeth, because Macbeth kills Duncan, who is much more important and powerful than him.

 

41.        What do animals represent in Macbeth?

-    The captain and Duncan are talking about the fight at the beginning of the play, and compare Macbeth and Banquo to eagles and a lion, which are animals known for their superiority, power, and braveness, which further displays the fearlessness and power of Macbeth and Banquo.

 

42.        Why is alliteration used in Macbeth?

-    William Shakespeare uses alliteration to emphasize certain passages in Macbeth or to control the pacing of speech. In addition, since Macbeth is a play, the sound of the language is important, and lines containing alliteration are pleasing to the ear.

 

43.        What is the golden round that Lady Macbeth speaks of?

-    Lady Macbeth talks about the primary goal for Macbeth -- that he must seize the "golden round." The word "round" means "crown," so the color of gold represents royalty and supremacy.

 

44.        Who was not born of woman?

-    Nobleman Macduff was not born of woman. Unfortunately for Macbeth, the Scottish nobleman Macduff was "from his mother's womb/ Untimely ripped," and thus not naturally "born of woman".

 

45.        Who killed Macduff?

-    Macbeth killed Macduff.

 

46.        Who is the bloody child in Macbeth?

-    Macduff is the bloody child in Macbeth

 

47.        What does Macbeth's letter say?

-    In his letter to Lady Macbeth, Macbeth tells her, that he has been awarded the title of Thane of Cawdor; furthermore, he shares the news of his encounter with the witches who have made exciting prophecies.

 

48.        What is the full title of the play, Macbeth?

-    The full title of the play, Macbeth is ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’

 

49.        When and where was ‘Macbeth’ written?

-    1606, England

 

50.        What is the tone of the play, Macbeth?

-    The tone of the play, Macbeth is dark and ominous, suggestive of a world, turned topsy-turvy by foul and unnatural crimes

 

51.        What is the setting-time of the play, Macbeth?

-    The Middle Ages, specifically the eleventh century.

 

52.        What is the setting-place of the play, Macbeth?

-    Various locations in Scotland; also, England, briefly

 

53.        Who is the protagonist of the play, Macbeth?

-    Macbeth is the protagonist of the play, Macbeth.

 

54.        What are the major conflicts in the play, Macbeth?

-    The major conflicts in the play, Macbeth are: the struggle within Macbeth between his ambition and his sense of right and wrong; the struggle between the murderous evil represented by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and the best interests of the nation, represented by Malcolm and Macduff

 

55.        What is the rising-action in the play, Macbeth?

-    Macbeth and Banquo’s encounter with the witches initiates both conflicts; Lady Macbeth’s speeches goad Macbeth into murdering Duncan and seizing the crown.

 

56.        What is the climax of the play, Macbeth?

-    Macbeth’s murder of Duncan in Act 2 represents the point of no return, after which Macbeth is forced to continue butchering his subjects to avoid the consequences of his crime.

 

57.        What is the falling-action in the play, Macbeth?

-    Macbeth’s increasingly brutal murders (of Duncan’s servants, Banquo, Lady Macduff, and her son); Macbeth’s second meeting with the witches; Macbeth’s final confrontation with Macduff and the opposing armies