Makenna Naugle

2/4/2021

Macbeth Notes:

* The witches in Scene 1 inform you that they will see Macbeth after the battle.

* In Scene 2, Duncan orders Ross to tell Macbeth he is the new thane of Cawdor.

* In Scene 3, Shakespeare has the witches speak in rhyme instead of blank verse
because the rhymes sound like witches’ spells.

* Macbeth shows his ambition and curiosity about becoming king in Scene 3 when he
questions the witches about the prophecies.

* Duncan says to Macbeth, “Would thou hadst less deserved,” in Scene 4. This
translates, “If only you deserved less.”

* A messenger tells Lady Macbeth that Duncan is coming to her castle.

* Lady Macbeth’s greeting in Scene 5 shows that she wants to help Macbeth in his
plot.

* Duncan’s reference to Lady Macbeth as a “noble hostess” in Scene 6 is an example

of dramatic irony because we know Lady Macbeth plans to murder him.

* Scene 7 tells you that Macbeth has second thoughts about the plan.

* Macbeth and Lady Macbeth use the guards’ daggers to stab Duncan in order to
blame them for his death.

* Shakespeare abandons blank verse in Scene 1 to emphasize the strangeness of the

witches.

* In Scene 2, the Captain compares Macbeth and Banquo to lions to show their
bravery.

* Duncan gives Macbeth the title of thane of Cawdor as a reward following the
decision to execute the thane of Cawdor.

* Macbeth’s questions in Scene 3 are a clue that he is ambitious and curious about
how to become king.
* Duncan’s praises of Macbeth in Scene 4 are an example of dramatic irony because
we know that Macbeth wants to kill Duncan, but Duncan is unaware of this fact.

* In Scene 5, Lady Macbeth thinks that Macbeth lacks enough cruelty to murder
Duncan.

* Both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth wish that darkness will cover their evil deeds and
wishes.

* Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth in Scene 5 that he should pretend to be nice to

Duncan.

* In Scene 7, Macbeth reveals that he fears being punished for killing Duncan.

* Lady Macbeth believes that Macbeth must act bravely and should act because he
truly desires to kill Duncan.

Short answer:

* What private thoughts does Macbeth reveal in Scene 3?

* What three reasons does Macbeth list in Scene 7 to argue against murdering
Duncan?

* How do Lady Macbeth’s comment about birds in Scene 5 and Banquo’s comment
about birds in Scene 6 reveal each character’s thoughts?

* In Scene 7, what previous wish of lady Macbeth’s do her husband’s words reflect?