Focus Questions: Act I

Focus QuestionsMacbeth

Focus Questions

What does it mean when the witches say that they’ll meet again “when the hurley burley’s done/ When the battle’s lost and won”? (Shakespeare 1.1.3-4).

What two forces were facing each other in battle?

How did the Thane of Cawdor betray the king?

What does it mean when the witches say that they’ll meet again “when the hurley burley’s done/ When the battle’s lost and won”? (Shakespeare 1.1.3-4).

What two forces were facing each other in battle?

How did the Thane of Cawdor betray the king?

Focus QuestionsWhat are the witches three

prophesies regarding Macbeth?

How do the witches prophesies set up a conflict between Macbeth and Banquo?

What are the witches three prophesies regarding Macbeth?

How do the witches prophesies set up a conflict between Macbeth and Banquo?

Focus QuestionsWhat conflict is Macbeth

experiencing regarding the prophesies?

Why is Macbeth upset that fate will make him king?

What does Macbeth mean by “borrowed robes”?

Focus Questions

When reading the letter, what does Lady Macbeth fear regarding Macbeth’s nature or character?

Focus Questions Why is Macbeth angry with Duncan for

naming Malcolm heir? How is Lady Macbeth’s ambition opposite

of Macbeth‘s and what does she mean by “unsex me here” when she call upon the evil spirits?

How does Macbeth struggle with the prophesy of becoming king in his soliloquy after the king arrives?

Focus Questions How does Lady Macbeth insult

Macbeth after he says he does not wish to kill the king after all?

What is Lady Macbeth’s response when Macbeth wonders what would happen if they fail in their attempt to kill the king, and what is her plan to carry out the assassination?

Focus Questions Who are the “weird sisters,” and

what are Macbeth’s and Banquo’s concerns regarding them?

What prophesies have begun to come true for Macbeth and what potential problems do they create for him?

Act IIFocus Questions for

Macbeth

Focus Questions

Why does the dagger have to lead the way for Macbeth and what does it symbolize?

How are Lady Macbeth’s actions different from her husband’s following the king’s murder?

Who appears more in control of the emotions? Macbeth or Lady Macbeth?

Focus Questions

Where do Malcolm and Donalbain go?

Where does Macduff tell Ross he’s going?

Act IIIFocus Questions for

Macbeth

Focus QuestionsWhat are Banquo’s concerns

regarding the witches’ prophesies?

Why does Macbeth want to know if Fleance is with Banquo?

What does Macbeth mean by “fruitless crown?”

Focus Questions

How does Macbeth convince the two men to murder Banquo?

What psychological reason causes Macbeth to see the ghost of Banquo?

What part of Dramatic Structure does Banquo’s death represent?

What are Macbeth’s concerns about Macduff not being at the banquet?

How does Macbeth convince the two men to murder Banquo?

What psychological reason causes Macbeth to see the ghost of Banquo?

What part of Dramatic Structure does Banquo’s death represent?

What are Macbeth’s concerns about Macduff not being at the banquet?

Acts IV and VFocus Questions for

Macbeth

Focus Questions (Act IV)What are the new prophesies the witches give Macbeth?

What is his response to these prophesies, especially in relation to Macduff?

Focus Questions (Act IV)

What plan does Macbeth reveal in his soliloquy?

What are Lady Macduff’s concerns about her husband not being home?

What is the outcome of Macbeth’s plan?

Focus Questions (Act IV)What does the physician notice about Lady Macbeth’s behavior?

Why do you believe she acts this way?

Focus Questions (Act IV and V)

How large is the English force that is approaching Dunsinane?

What advice does Malcolm give Macduff regarding his grief?

Focus Questions (Act IV and V)

What does Macbeth reflect upon regarding what his life should have been?

What message does Macbeth get regarding his wife and how does he react to it?

What does Macbeth reflect upon regarding what his life should have been?

What message does Macbeth get regarding his wife and how does he react to it?

Focus Questions (Act IV and V)

How is Macbeth’s “tomorrow, tomorrow, and tomorrow” soliloquoy existential?

What similes, metaphors, and personification are used in his “tomorrow, tomorrow, and tomorrow” soliloquy?

Soliloquy

Act VFocus Questions for

Macbeth

Focus Questions

How is each of the witches’ three prophesies fulfilled in the plot’s resolution of main conflict?

Why does Macbeth initially choose to not kill Macduff?

How is each of the witches’ three prophesies fulfilled in the plot’s resolution of main conflict?

Why does Macbeth initially choose to not kill Macduff?

Focus Questions

Why does Macbeth choose to fight Macduff once he discovers he was not “born of woman”??

Who is the new King of Scotland?

Why does Macbeth choose to fight Macduff once he discovers he was not “born of woman”??

Who is the new King of Scotland?