Act 1

• What is the setting of Act 1, Scene 1 of Macbeth?

  A heath with flashes of lightning
• Who are the three witches in Macbeth referred to as?

  The weird sisters
• What do the witches mean by "fair is foul, and foul is fair"?

  Good is bad and bad is good
• What literary device does Shakespeare use with the phrase "fair is foul, and foul is fair"?

  A paradox
• What is the state of Scotland in Act 1, Scene 2?

  At war with two enemies
• Who leads the army of rebels from the Western Isles?

  McDonald
• Who leads the invading army from Norway?

  King Sweno
• What does the captain report about Macbeth and Banquo?

  They delivered a victory for the king
• What is the first significant report about Macbeth's actions in battle?

  His execution of the rebel McDonald
• What does Macbeth's skill in battle suggest about his character?

  He is capable of brutal murder
• What theme does Shakespeare introduce through Macbeth's disdain for Fortune?

  The theme of fate and free will
• What do the witches do in Act 1, Scene 3?

  They discuss a curse on a sailor
• How does Macbeth's line "so foul and fair a day I have not seen" relate to the witches?

  It mirrors their paradoxical speech
• What titles do the witches predict for Macbeth?

  Thane of Cawdor and king
• What does Banquo's prophecy suggest about his future?

  His children will inherit the throne
• What does Macbeth's aside reveal about his thoughts on the prophecies?

  He questions if they are good or ill
• What title is Macbeth awarded at the end of Act 1, Scene 3?

  Thane of Cawdor
• What does Macbeth mean by "if chance will have me king"?

  He considers letting fate decide
• What does Duncan's trust in the former Thane of Cawdor suggest about his character?

  He lacks wisdom and judgment
• Who does Duncan name as the Prince of Cumberland?

  Malcolm
• What does Macbeth's aside about "stars hide your fires" reveal?

  His desire for the throne is dark
• How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth's letter about the witches?

  She believes their words immediately
• What does Lady Macbeth think about Macbeth's character?

  He is too kind to kill Duncan
• What does Lady Macbeth call upon the spirits to do?

  To fill her with cruelty
• What does Lady Macbeth's command to "unsex me" imply about her character?

  She wants to reject femininity
• What does Duncan comment on when he arrives at Macbeth's castle?

  On the pleasant setting and weather
• What is the dramatic irony in Duncan's comments about the castle?

  He is unaware of his impending death
• How does the tone shift when Lady Macbeth welcomes Duncan?

  It contrasts with her earlier behavior
• What internal conflict does Macbeth face in Act 1, Scene 7?

  Whether to kill Duncan or not
• What does Macbeth mean by "vaulting ambition"?

  His ambition exceeds reasonable limits
• How does Lady Macbeth manipulate Macbeth's resolve?

  By calling him a coward
• What is Lady Macbeth's violent claim about a newborn baby?

  She would dash its brains out
• What does Lady Macbeth's willingness to commit violence suggest about her character?

  She is ambitious and ruthless
• What themes are explored throughout Act 1 of Macbeth?

  • Fate and Free Will
  • Ambition and Power
  • Guilt and Conscience
  • The Nature of Evil
  • Gender Roles and Expectations
• What is the significance of the witches' prophecies in Macbeth?

  • They foreshadow future events
  • They influence Macbeth's actions
  • They create a sense of fate vs. free will
  • They highlight the theme of ambition
• How does Shakespeare portray Lady Macbeth's character in Act 1?

  • Ambitious and manipulative
  • Confident and self-assured
  • Willing to reject femininity
  • Displays a desire for power
• What role does dramatic irony play in Act 1 of Macbeth?

  • Creates tension for the audience
  • Highlights the contrast between appearance and reality
  • Foreshadows tragic outcomes
  • Engages the audience's emotions