English 20-2 Macbeth

Act I, scene i

The play opens at night during a furious thunderstorm. As the lightning flashes, three witches appear in a deserted field. The eerie creatures speak to one another in mysterious phrases.

1. The witches plan to meet again when _________________________________.

2. The three witches will see __________________ the next time they meet.

3. The three witches agree that things are really not what they seem to be. They say, “The beautiful is ugly and the ugly is beautiful.” Look for the same idea in Shakespeare's original words on page 2 and write those words below.

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4. Think about the meaning of the quote in question 3. Based on this quote, what kind of world would you say Macbeth lives in? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Act I, scene ii

Setting the Stage Since King James I was born in Scotland, Shakespeare based Macbeth on real people and events in Scottish history. For example, Macbeth is set in Scotland early in the 1100s (11th century). At this time in history, there was a King Duncan who ruled Scotland. He had two sons named Malcolm and Donalbain. Duncan became king in 1034 while Scotland was forming into a nation. Another historical fact in Macbeth is Scotland's violent past. Early Scotland was invaded many times, mainly because of its location. Since Scotland is surrounded by the sea on three sides, invaders from Denmark and Norway found it easy prey. The English united in the 1600s. So both the characters and the battle in the play are based on Scotland's history.

In this scene, notice how the outcome of a war could be decided by a battle between two warriors. This scene opens as a war is in progress. Scottish rebels and Norwegians are attacking forces loyal to the Scottish king. Now the Scottish king (Duncan), his soldiers, and his two sons (Malcolm and Donalbain) await news of the latest battle. They watch as a wounded captain approaches their camp.

1. What news does the Captain bring about the battle between Macdonwald and Macbeth? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. According to the Captain, what did Macbeth and Banquo do when the Norwegian troops began a new attack? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is a thane? _______________________________________________________

4. How did King Duncan describe Macbeth when he heard of his bravery in battle?__________________________________________________________________

5. When King Duncan hears the battle report, he gives Ross two important commands. What does he order Ross to do?

a.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________b._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Act I, scene iii

Setting the Stage In this scene, the three witches call themselves the “Weird Sisters.” In Shakespeare's time, the word weird meant more than strange-acting. It was still closely tied to the ancient word wyrd, which meant fate. Thus, Elizabethans saw the sisters as supernatural beings who could control people's lives. Notice how the witches use their “weird” powers in this scene by speaking of the future.

Once again, the Weird Sisters appear in a deserted field. Macbeth and Banquo will also shortly appear. Apparently the witches have been waiting for them.

1. On the lines below, write the first words that Macbeth speaks.

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2. You heard similar words spoken earlier in the play. On the line below, tell who spoke those similar words. Then list the page and line numbers where this earlier speech is located.

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3. When Macbeth orders the witches to speak, they address him by three different titles. Write these titles below.

A)___________________________________________________________________B)___________________________________________________________________C)___________________________________________________________________

4. In question 3, circle the title that Macbeth received when his father died.

5. Describe Macbeth's reaction when he first hears the witches' prophecies for his future. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What message that matches the witches' predictions does Ross bring Macbeth? __________________________________________________________________

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7. What were the prophecies given to Banquo?A)________________________________________________________________B)________________________________________________________________C)________________________________________________________________

8. What was Banquo's reaction to the prophecies?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What was Banquo's “warning” to Macbeth?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. What were Macbeth's final two thoughts at the end of this scene?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. Now Macbeth is both frightened and confused because he faces a hard choice. He can either let chance make him King or _________________________________.