Macbeth

How does the Captain describe Macbeth's actions at the start of the play?

• Brave and loyal

• Traitorous and a betrayal of the king

• Cowardly and uncertain

• Hopeless and ineffectual

Till he unseamed him from the

Answer explanation

“Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops And fixed his head upon our battlements”

The wounded captain says this when he is giving his report on the battle to King Duncan. He describes how Macbeth cut open the leader of the opposing army and cut their head off to parade on their own castle. This shows us that Macbeth is brave because he is fearless in battle and very loyal to his King and country. 

Macbeth first meets the witches when he is coming back from battle with his best friend...

• Banquo

• Macduff

• Duncan

• Lennox

What do the witches predict for Macbeth?

• His children will become Kings

• He will live a happy life

• He will be King

• He will lead the Scottish Army

Who does Duncan name as the Prince of Cumberland?

• Donalbain

• Malcolm

• Macbeth

• Banquo

'I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only

Answer explanation

“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition”

Macbeth says this after thinking over his idea to kill Duncan and he comes to the conclusion that he has no reason to go ahead with it other than his own high, ambitious, targets in life. Macbeth has talked himself out of going ahead with the murder and he does not want to do it. 

What vision does Macbeth have before he kills Duncan?

• He sees a floating head urging him to murder

• He sees a bloody axe lodged in Duncan's head

• He sees a pale maiden weeping in the moonlight

• He sees a floating dagger pointing towards Duncan's chamber

Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle

Answer explanation

“Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand?”

Macbeth says this when contemplating Duncan’s murder as he begins to imagine a dagger in front him, tempting him to draw his own weapon. This tells us that Macbeth is somewhat weak-minded as he can’t suppress his desire to kill the king.

When a character speaks only to himself alone on the stage

• Aside
• Sleep talking
• Soliloquy 
• Speech

Who discovers Duncan's body?

• Banquo

• Lennox

• Malcolm

• Macduff