Summary

• Who are introduced in Act 1, Scene 1?


  The three Witches
• What setting do the Witches appear in?

  A bleak setting of thunder and lightning
• What do the Witches demonstrate through their chants?

  Their malevolent supernatural powers
• What news does Duncan receive in Act 1, Scene 2?

  Macbeth was heroic during the battle
• What title does Duncan give to Macbeth?

  Thane of Cawdor
• Why is it significant that Macbeth does not know about his promotion?

  It highlights his ignorance of fate
• Who do the Witches appear to in Act 1, Scene 3?

  Banquo and Macbeth
• What prophecy do the Witches give to Macbeth?

  He will be Thane of Cawdor and King
• What do the Witches tell Banquo?

  He will father a line of Kings
• Who presents Macbeth with the title of Thane of Cawdor?

  Ross
• What does Macbeth begin to believe after receiving the title?

  In the supernatural powers of the Witches
• Who is announced as the Prince of Cumberland?

  Malcolm
• How does Macbeth view Malcolm's title?

  As an obstacle to his kingship
• What does Lady Macbeth do with Macbeth's letter?

  She reads it and believes she could be queen
• What does Lady Macbeth call upon to change her femininity?

  Dark spirits to strip her of remorse
• What does Lady Macbeth doubt about Macbeth?

  His ability to commit regicide
• What plan does Lady Macbeth devise for Duncan's murder?

  Get the guards drunk and plant the daggers
• Who arrives at Macbeth's castle in Act 1, Scene 6?

  Duncan and his sons
• What internal conflict does Macbeth face in Act 1, Scene 7?

  Doubts the morality of killing Duncan
• How does Lady Macbeth respond to Macbeth's uncertainty?

  She emasculates him to persuade him
• What does Macbeth see after deciding to commit murder?

  A bloody dagger
• What does Macbeth reflect on after seeing the dagger?

  The extreme consequences of his actions
• What does Macbeth ignore before committing regicide?

  His guilty hallucinations
• How does Macbeth feel after killing Duncan in Act 2, Scene 2?

  Alarmed and guilty
• What does Macbeth mean when he says no amount of water can wash the blood off his hands?

  He feels guilt that cannot be cleansed
• What does Lady Macbeth insist Macbeth do after the murder?

  Return the bloody daggers
• What hallucination does Macbeth experience?

  He hears voices saying he murders sleep
• Who finds Duncan's body in Act 2, Scene 3?

  Macduff
• What does Macbeth do in rage after finding Duncan's body?

  Kills the guards
• Why do Donalbain and Malcolm flee?

  They fear they will be murdered
• What news does Macduff share with Ross in Act 2, Scene 4?

  Macbeth has been named King of Scotland
• Who are the key suspects for Duncan's murder?

  Malcolm and Donalbain
• What does Banquo express in Act 3, Scene 1?

  Concerns about the Witches' prophecies
• How does Macbeth feel about Banquo's prophecies?

  They are unnerving and threaten his position
• What plan does Macbeth arrange regarding Banquo and Fleance?

  To have them killed by assassins
• What does Lady Macbeth notice about Macbeth's mental state?

  He is plagued with guilt
• What does Macbeth mean by "full of scorpions"?

  His mind is troubled and guilty
• What happens to Banquo in Act 3, Scene 3?

  He is killed by the murderers
• What does Macbeth see during the banquet in Act 3, Scene 4?

  Banquo's ghost
• How does Lady Macbeth handle Macbeth's hallucination at the banquet?

  She dismisses the guests and claims he is ill