English II Macbeth- Act I Guide March 2012

Name: __________________________

The following questions will guide you in reading Act I of Macbeth. Answer the questions as fully as possible. We will study some of these scenes in discussion with the class, but you are responsible for each scene in the play. In addition to completing these questions, you will take notes on the play in your notebook. Keep the following in mind as you read and take notes on the play: Plot Characters and relationships Setting Topics and themes Symbolism, figurative language Important lines When you take notes on the play, remember to mark text with act.scene.line (as in 1.3.14-16 is Act I, scene 3, lines 14 through 16)

1.1 1. What is the point of this scene?

1.2 2. What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald?

3. Who will be removed from his post and for what reason?

1.3 4. What is Banquos first impression of the witches, or Weird Sisters?

5. How do the Sisters address Macbeth? How does Banquo respond to this address?

6. What news have Ross and Angus brought?

7. What does Macbeth speak of in lines 114-115?

8. What warning does Banquo issue to Macbeth in lines 132-138?

9. Take note of lines 140-155. What does Macbeth talk about in this aside?

10. Banquo issues another warning at the end of the scene (1.3.160-162). Paraphrase this into modern American speech.

11. The Weird Sisters speak in contradictory statements. What do you make of this?

1.4 12. Macbeth says, Stars, hide your fires. Let not light see my black and deep desires. What are Macbeths desires?

1.5 13. Lady Macbeth is informed of the Sisters and their predictions for her husband in a letter. How does she react? Locate lines that speak to her fears and lines that relate to power. What does she think of her husband? How will she help him?

14. See Lady Macbeths monologue, lines 45-61. Note the references to gender. She makes reference to female body parts and femininitywhat do you make of this? What does she want to be able to do?

15. 1.5.75-78 What does this mean?

1.6 16. How does Lady Macbeth speak to Duncan? How would you characterize her tone? What is interesting about this?

1.7 17. This scene opens with Macbeth contemplating his next move on Duncan. Is he feeling confident or doubtful? What lines would you cite as evidence of one or the other?

18. What argument does he construct against killing Duncan?

19. How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth use gender roles in this scene? What do they say to each other?

20. What is Lady Macbeths plan?

21. Write the closing line of the act here. To what does it refer?