Macbeth

• Who wrote the tragedy of Macbeth?

  William Shakespeare
• What is the main theme of Macbeth?

  The consequences of ambition
• When was Macbeth first performed?

  1606
• During whose reign was Macbeth written?

  King James I of Scotland
• How does Shakespeare use Macbeth to comment on King James I's rule?

  By illustrating the dangers of ambition and tyranny
• What was the public sentiment in England regarding a Scottish king?

  There was uncertainty and unease
• What does King James I assert about kings in his book?

  Kings are always right, regardless of their subjects' opinions
• What is the significance of the witches in Macbeth?

  They symbolize the dark forces of ambition and fate
• What is Macbeth often referred to in the theater?

  The cursed play or the Scottish play
• Why is mentioning Macbeth considered an omen in theaters?

  It is believed to doom the production to failure
• Who are the first characters introduced in Macbeth?

  Three witches
• What does Macbeth's character represent at the beginning of the play?

  A valiant warrior and hero
• Who does Macbeth defeat in battle?

  Macdonwald and the forces of Norway and Ireland
• What prophecy do the witches give to Macbeth?

  He will become Thane of Cawdor and then king
• How does Macbeth react to the witches' prophecy?

  He becomes ambitious and ponders becoming king
• What title is Macbeth given after the battle?

  Thane of Cawdor
• How does Lady Macbeth influence Macbeth's decision to murder Duncan?

  She questions his manhood and urges him to seize the opportunity
• What plan does Lady Macbeth devise for Duncan's murder?

  To get his chamberlains drunk and frame them for the murder
• What hallucination does Macbeth experience before killing Duncan?

  A floating dagger
• What does Macbeth do after killing Duncan?

  He kills the chamberlains out of rage
• How do Duncan's sons react to their father's murder?

  They flee to England and Ireland for safety
• What suspicion arises from Duncan's sons fleeing?

  It raises suspicion that they may be involved in their father's murder
• Who becomes king after Duncan's murder?

  Macbeth
• What does Macbeth fear about Banquo?

  That Banquo's descendants will become kings
• How does Macbeth plan to eliminate his fears regarding Banquo's prophecy?

  By hiring murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance
• What happens to Fleance during the assassination attempt?

  He escapes
• How does Macbeth react to seeing Banquo's ghost at the banquet?

  He converses with it, appearing insane to others
• What do the witches show Macbeth during his second visit?

  A series of spirits with prophecies about his fate
• What does the first spirit tell Macbeth?

  To beware of Macduff
• What does the second spirit tell Macbeth?

  No one born of a woman will harm him
• What does the third spirit's message imply for Macbeth's safety?

  He will be safe until Burnham Wood comes to Dunsinane
• What do the witches show Macbeth about Banquo's descendants?

  A procession of eight crowned kings resembling Banquo
• How does Macbeth respond to the news of Macduff fleeing to England?

  He orders the slaughter of Macduff's family
• What is Lady Macbeth's mental state as the play progresses?

  She becomes increasingly insane due to guilt
• What does Lady Macbeth do while sleepwalking?

  She tries to wash the blood from her hands
• How does Macduff react to the news of his family's murder?

  He swears vengeance on Macbeth
• What strategy do Malcolm and Macduff use to disguise their approach to Macbeth's castle?

  They sever branches from trees to hide their numbers
• What tragic news does Macbeth receive about Lady Macbeth?

  She has killed herself
• How does Macbeth's belief in the witches' prophecies affect his actions?

  He becomes overconfident and reckless
• What realization does Macbeth come to during his final confrontation with Macduff?

  That he has misinterpreted the witches' words