Macbeth Act 1

Select any of the titles by which Macbeth is greeted by the witches.

• Thane of Glamis

• Thane of Ross

• Thane of Cawdor

• King hereafter

Answer explanation

First Witch

All hail, Macbeth. Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis.

Second Witch

All hail, Macbeth. Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor.

Third Witch

All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter.

Match the following

• Banquo

• The son of Duncan and heir to his throne.

• Lady Macbeth.

• This person learns of the prophecies through a letter.

• Duncan

• To whom the witches prophesy: "Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none."

• Malcolm

• The King of Scotland

• Ross

• The Thane who tells Macbeth he has been given the title of Cawdor.

The play takes place in the modern day country of

Answer explanation

Macbeth was a real historical figure in Scotland, though Shakespeare's character of Macbeth is very different from the historical account...King James I actually came from Scotland...hmm, why might Shakespeare have wanted to tell a story about a Scottish king and a contested throne?

Who said the following?  “Fair is foul, and foul is fair/Hover through the filthy air” (1.1.10-11).

• Macbeth

• Lady Macbeth

• Duncan

• the witches

Answer explanation

"Fair is foul and foul is fair" is an example of antithesis- using opposite or contrary words or concepts for effect. Consider that the witches begin our play with suggesting that, essentially, "up is down and down is up." How do you know what is fair, or good, and what is foul, or bad, if they look like each other?

Who said, "If chance may have me king, then chance may crown me without my stir?" (1.3.158-159)

• Banquo

• Malcolm

• Macbeth

• Duncan

Answer explanation

Macbeth says this soon after the witches present him with the prophecy. Consider the difference between leaving things to chance and taking action (which he and Lady Macbeth later decide to do).

Who says the following, "That, trusted home,

Might yet enkindle you unto the crown

Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But 'tis strange

And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,

The instruments of darkness tell us truths,

Win us with honest trifles, to betray's

In deepest consequence" (1.3.131-138)

• Macbeth

• Banquo

• Ross

• Lady Macbeth

Answer explanation

Banquo (in the background) cautions Macbeth that the "instruments of darkness" can be deceitful, even when they tell some truths.

Who said the following?  “The Prince of Cumberland!  This is a step/On which I must fall down or else o’erleap,/For in my way it lies.  Stars, hide your fires;/Let not light see my black and deep desires” (1.4.55-58).

• Lady Macbeth

• Banquo

• Duncan

• Macbeth

Answer explanation

When Malcolm is named heir to Duncan, Macbeth immediately uses a metaphor to depict Malcolm as an obstacle he must overcome.

Who said the following? “Yet I do fear thy nature;/It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness/To catch the nearest way” (1.5.16-17).

• Lady Macbeth

• Banquo

• Duncan

• Macbeth

Answer explanation

Lady Macbeth believes her husband lacks the ruthlessness necessary to seize this opportunity.

Who said, “I am settled and bend up/Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. /Away, and mock the time with fairest show. /False face must hide what the false heart do know” (1.7.92-95)?

• Lady Macbeth

• Banquo

• Duncan

• Macbeth

Answer explanation

These lines end scene 7, when Macbeth is 'settled' to Lady Macbeth's plan.

Who said the following? “No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive/Our bosom interest.  Go, pronounce his present death,/And with his former title greet Macbeth” (1.2. 73-76).

• Lady Macbeth

• Ross

• Duncan

• Malcolm

Answer explanation

Who else would "award" Macbeth a new title? Only the king can do that! (though Ross is the one who becomes the messenger of the happy news).