Macbeth Review Flashcards
What type of play is “Macbeth”
Tragedy
Why did Shakespeare choose to use witches instead of devils
Witches represented evil in that time; they had power
What three prophecies do the witches give to Macbeth and Banquo in act one
1) Banquo’s lineage will become kings
2) Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor
3) Macbeth will become king
What request by Lady Macbeth of the spirits goes unanswered
Guilt/remorse
Macbeth’s soliloquy at the start of act two is prompted by what
A hallucination of a floating dagger
In Shakespeare’s plays, sleep is used as a symbol of what
Peace
What is the primary function of the porter in act two
Comic relief
Who has served as a foil character to MacBeth up to act three of the play
Banquo
Macbeth’s actions disrupt what three elements/institutions
Nature
Society
Family
What purpose does the old man serve at the end of act two
Impartial observer
How does nature respond to King Duncan’s murder
1) unusually dark night (Eclipse)
2) horses ate each other
3) owl’s cry
4) owl ate falcon
What motives does Macbeth have for wanting Banquo dead
1) his sons would be kings
2) his attitude/wisdom/temper
3) royal nature
Macbeth says his mind is full of what symbol of treachery
Scorpions
What is the turning point of the play
Fleance escapes
How many times in the play does Macbeth see Banquo’s ghost
2
According to Hecate, what is mortals chiefest enemy
Security (overconfidence)
What three operations and questions do Macbeth receive when he returns to the witches
1) Armed head–“beware Macduff”
2) Bloody Child–“none of woman born”
3) Child crowned–“Birnan Wood”
In the show of kings, what does king Jame’s holding a mirror symbolize
His line will continue forever
Why can Macduff not gain full revenge on Macbeth
MacBeth has no children
When sleepwalking, with what is Lady Macbeth most concerned
Getting the blood off her hands
What image symbolizes guilt/murder
Blood
What does lady Macbeth remark kept her from killing Duncan herself
He looks like her father
In the speech by Macbeth prompted by his wife’s death, to what three things does Macbeth compare life
1) a walking shadow
2) a poor player
3) a candle
What equivocation by the witches about Macduff ultimately gives Macbeth false confidence, leading to his death
Not born of woman
How can the play’s structure be said to be circular
Starts with a good Kings speech
ends with a good Kings speech
What is the major theme of “Macbeth”
Appearance vs. reality
