English Final Review

Question 1

What is a tragic hero as defined by Aristotle (5 points)

Answer 1

1. Usually of noble birth
2. Tragic flaw that leads to their downfall
3. Suffers a reversal of fortune brought on by the hero’s tragic flaw.
4. Hero’s actions result in increased self-awareness and self-knowledge/wisdom.
5. The audience feels pity and terror for this character.

Question 2

How does the tragic hero definition apply to Macbeth?

Answer 2

• Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his desire for greater and greater power, which ends up being detrimental to him in the end. Some may also pity him for his troubles.

Question 3

Weird Sisters: Representatives of Fate (from Greek Myth)

Answer 3

Their names were Cloto (spinner), Lachesis (Alotter), and Atropos (Inflexible). Together they spun the thread of human fate, dispensed it, and cut it, therefore determining the length of someone’s life.

Question 4

Weird Sisters: Practitioners of the old Celtic Religion (Druidism)

Answer 4

Druids sense nature as divine or sacred, and they dominated pre-christian Scotland. These weird sisters could be people that never converted to christianity and stayed in the old druid religion.

Question 5

Weird Sisters: Demented Homeless Old Women (Social Outcasts)

Answer 5

They represent windows and bereaved mothers whose husbands and sons have died in the many wars Macbeth presents. Alone and powerless, they may also suffer from dementia or mental illness, thinking they are endowed with supernatural powers.

Question 6

Weird Sisters: Actual Witches in League with the Devil (King James I’s View)

Answer 6

Shakespeare has the weird sisters call out to their ‘familiars’ (demons that take the form of animals). They concoct spells and predict the future. They have the power to instantly disappear and can call forth a demon. This is the viewpoint of King James I who is in the audience for the first viewing of Macbeth.

Question 7

What instrument signals the approach of Macbeth?

Answer 7

A drum

Question 8

What prophecy to the weird sisters give Banquo in the beginning?

Answer 8

They say he will never be king himself,, but will one day be the father to a king.

Question 9

Why during Duncan’s visit to Macbeth’s castle does Macbeth say he is here on ‘double trust’?

Answer 9

First as his loyal subject and ancient kinsman (belief that all are related if you go far back enough in ancestry), as well as his host.

Question 10

Who are Duncan’s sons?

Answer 10

Malcolm and Donalbain

Question 11

What does Lady Macbeth do on the night of Duncan’s murder to assist Macbeth?

Answer 11

She drugs the Chamberlain’s drinks to put them to sleep, and rings the bell signaling time for Macbeth to commit the murder.

Question 12

After the killing of Duncan, why is Macbeth named king next instead of Malcolm (new Prince of Cumberland)?

Answer 12

Malcolm and Donalbain left the country for their own safety, and because of this suspicion was drawn against them for the killing of their father.

Question 13

Even though Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth after the murder, why doesn’t he do anything or speak out about the prophecy given by the weird sisters?

Answer 13

He is loyal to Macbeth as a friend, and he knows his own prophecy may come true without his intervening.

Question 14

Who refuses Macbeth’s invitation to a feast celebrating his new crowning to the position of king?

Answer 14

MacDuff; he is suspicious

Question 15

Describe Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship towards the end of the play?

Answer 15

As Lady Macbeth’s mental health declines rapidly, and Macbeth’s mental health poor as well, the two become increasingly apathetic for each other in the wake of the rebellion against their reign.

Question 16

Why did King James write the book titled ‘Daemonologie’?

Answer 16

The book was meant to influence public opinion and cause people to become more afraid of witchcraft.

Question 17

What happened when James sailed back across the ocean to Scotland after picking up his wife Anne? What did he do when he got back?

Answer 17

A storm sank a ship in his fleet and he almost died. He blamed the storm on witchcraft and immediately accused more than 70 people of witchcraft, and tortured them into confession before killing them.

Question 18

Why is Lady Macbeth’s Mental health so poor, and a primary motivating factor behind her ruthless nature in becoming queen?

Answer 18

She may still be grieving from the loss of her infant son.

Question 19

What does Winston remember in a dream in Book 1 about his Mother and Sister?

Answer 19

He remembers his sister and mother sinking in a ship. He believes he caused the death of his family in the beginning of the book.

Question 20

How does Julia help Winston achieve his quest of becoming fully human?

Answer 20

She most directly fulfills his subquest for love and understanding, while also helping him correctly remember memories of the past in relation to his mother and sister. She helps him realize that it wasn’t his fault that his family died.

Question 21

What did Winston want to do to Julia before she gave him the love note?

Answer 21

He wanted to rape her and kill her, because he thought that she was a member of the thought police and was following him for close observation.

Question 22

Does Julia have any thoughts for overthrowing the government?

Answer 22

No, she just wants to have a relationship with Winston and doesn’t think of them together as much of a ‘political act’ as Winston does.

Question 23

What is the importance of the Aaronson, Rutherford, Jones photograph that Winston remembers finding through his work?

Answer 23

It’s important because its the only concrete piece of evidence Winston has that the party is lying.