Good and Evil

• What type of person is Macbeth at the beginning of the play?

  He is a noble person.
• What title does Duncan give to Macbeth?

  Thane of Cawdor
• How does ambition affect Macbeth's character?

  It overcomes his goodness with evil desires.
• What does Macbeth's transformation suggest about human nature?

  Even good people can be led astray.
• How does Macbeth's character evolve throughout the play?

  He becomes increasingly evil and hardened.
• What does the struggle for the crown of Scotland represent?

  A battle between good and evil.
• How is Macbeth described in relation to his rule over Scotland?

  He is the evil "tyrant" who must be killed.
• What literary devices does Shakespeare use to represent good and evil?

  Images of darkness and light.
• What do images of darkness symbolize in Macbeth?

  They represent evil.
• What do images of light symbolize in Macbeth?

  They symbolize goodness.
• How does Lady Macbeth link cruelty and aggression?

  She associates them with masculinity
• What does Lady Macbeth wish to be filled with?

  Direst cruelty
• Why does Lady Macbeth want to be "unsexed"?

  She believes femininity hinders her actions
• What do masculine ideas of evil emphasize?

  Violence and bloodshed
• How does Lady Macbeth persuade Macbeth to commit evil?

  Through emotional blackmail and manipulation
• What is ambiguous about the Witches' gender?

  Banquo notes they "should be women" but have beards
• What do the Witches rely on instead of physical force?

  Manipulation
• What theme is associated with the supernatural in the play?

  • The supernatural is presented as evil and powerful
  • The Witches are linked to the devil
  • Banquo calls them "devil"
  • Macbeth refers to them as "fiends"
• How are the Witches associated with evil deeds?

  They are linked to the devil
• What does Banquo's description of the Witches suggest about their nature?

  It suggests they are deceptive and evil
• What do battles symbolize in Shakespeare's works?

  Conflict between good and evil
• How does Shakespeare use battles to represent good and evil?

  By symbolizing good and evil through conflict
• Who leads the enemy army in the opening scene of the play?

  Merciless Macdonald
• What does the phrase "villanies of nature" imply about Macdonald?

  It shows that he is evil
• What is the outcome of the play's final battle?

  Macbeth is defeated
• What do Malcolm's men fight for in the final battle?

  To restore the rightful King
• How is Macbeth described in the play?

  As an abhorred tyrant
• What does the term "dear causes" refer to in the context of the battle?

  It refers to noble reasons for fighting
• How does Shakespeare use imagery to emphasize the conflict between good and evil?

  • Through religious imagery
  • Macbeth is described as "cursed"
  • Macbeth's name is "More hateful" than the devil
  • Young Siward is called "God's soldier"
• What is Young Siward referred to as in the play?

  God's soldier
• Why is Young Siward considered "God's soldier"?

  He died fighting to defeat an evil tyrant
• How does the description of Macbeth contrast with Young Siward's characterization?

  Macbeth is evil, while Siward is virtuous