. In Act I, Macbeth pays closest attention to the witches’ prediction that names him (Points: 3)
the choice for thane of Glamis.
the heir to the duchy of York.
the next thane of Ross.
the future king of Scotland.
2. What do King Duncan’s behavior and treatment of Macbeth suggest about his character? (Points: 3)
He is bold and brave.
He is arrogant and hasty.
He is just and fair-minded.
He is striving and merciless.
3. What does Macbeth have in common with other Shakespearean protagonists? (Points: 3)
His nature is marred by a tragic flaw.
He is married to a wicked woman.
He is of Scottish descent.
His popularity means that no one threatens him.
4. What is the tragic flaw that spurs Macbeth’s actions? (Points: 3)
ambition
pride
vanity
dishonesty
5. When a character speaks briefly not to others on stage but to the audience directly, the character is using (Points: 3)
a dialogue.
an aside.
an eavesdrop.
a monologue.
6. Which best describes the initial reactions of Macbeth and his wife to the idea of murdering Duncan? (Points: 3)
Macbeth wants to strike the king in public; his wife wants to murder him in secret.
Macbeth wants to hire assassins; his wife wants to commit the act herself.
Macbeth is confident; his wife is wary.
Macbeth is cautious; his wife is eager.
7. How do Macbeth’s increasing ambition and power change him? (Points: 3)
He becomes corrupt and suspicious.
He becomes busy and exhausted.
He becomes gracious and wise.
He becomes demanding and angry.
8. Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance because (Points: 3)
he views Banquo and his descendants as threats to his crown.
he knows that Banquo is responsible for killing Duncan.
he wants to keep Lady Macbeth from hurting the Scottish king.
he wishes to make sure that he and Macduff remain friends.
9. The parade of Scottish kings in Act IV most likely serves to (Points: 3)
honor the memory of King Duncan.
give the history of Macbeth’s royal line.
pay homage to Shakespeare’s queen, Elizabeth I.
please Shakespeare’s patron, King James I, who was of Scottish descent.
10. After Macbeth’s second visit to the witches, their new predictions cause him to act (Points: 3)
with greater aggression and ruthlessness.
with greater concern for his wife.
with greater hesitation and care.
with greater intent to murder the king.
11. Before Lady Macduff is killed, she realizes the truth of the duality that to do harm is “often laudable” while doing good may be (Points: 3)
“a wife’s duty.”
“dangerous folly.”
“the surest way to anger Macbeth.”
“more laudable.”
12. What does Malcolm do to anger Macduff in Act IV? (Points: 3)
Malcolm seeks the aid of the English king.
Malcolm criticizes Macbeth as a vile tyrant who must be overthrown.
Malcolm organizes an army to invade Scotland.
Malcolm says of himself that he will be as bad a ruler as Macbeth.
13. What do readers learn about Macduff from his words and actions upon hearing that his wife and children have been killed? (Points: 3)
that he is light-hearted and forgiving
that he is cunning and hard-hearted
that he is inept and cowardly
that he is compassionate and soft-hearted
14. Lady Macbeth’s behavior and her sleepwalking episodes suggest that she is (Points: 3)
mentally unstable and riddled with guilt.
charming and friendly in her role as queen.
a loyal supporter of all her husband’s actions.
attempting to fool the doctor and the gentlewoman.
15. When Lady Macbeth dies and the apparitions become real, how does Macbeth react? (Points: 3)
with a decision to go down fighting
with determination to survive the battle with Malcolm
with an intent to avenge himself on the witches
with a desire to surrender to Macduff and ask for pardon
the choice for thane of Glamis.
the heir to the duchy of York.
the next thane of Ross.
the future king of Scotland.
2. What do King Duncan’s behavior and treatment of Macbeth suggest about his character? (Points: 3)
He is bold and brave.
He is arrogant and hasty.
He is just and fair-minded.
He is striving and merciless.
3. What does Macbeth have in common with other Shakespearean protagonists? (Points: 3)
His nature is marred by a tragic flaw.
He is married to a wicked woman.
He is of Scottish descent.
His popularity means that no one threatens him.
4. What is the tragic flaw that spurs Macbeth’s actions? (Points: 3)
ambition
pride
vanity
dishonesty
5. When a character speaks briefly not to others on stage but to the audience directly, the character is using (Points: 3)
a dialogue.
an aside.
an eavesdrop.
a monologue.
6. Which best describes the initial reactions of Macbeth and his wife to the idea of murdering Duncan? (Points: 3)
Macbeth wants to strike the king in public; his wife wants to murder him in secret.
Macbeth wants to hire assassins; his wife wants to commit the act herself.
Macbeth is confident; his wife is wary.
Macbeth is cautious; his wife is eager.
7. How do Macbeth’s increasing ambition and power change him? (Points: 3)
He becomes corrupt and suspicious.
He becomes busy and exhausted.
He becomes gracious and wise.
He becomes demanding and angry.
8. Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance because (Points: 3)
he views Banquo and his descendants as threats to his crown.
he knows that Banquo is responsible for killing Duncan.
he wants to keep Lady Macbeth from hurting the Scottish king.
he wishes to make sure that he and Macduff remain friends.
9. The parade of Scottish kings in Act IV most likely serves to (Points: 3)
honor the memory of King Duncan.
give the history of Macbeth’s royal line.
pay homage to Shakespeare’s queen, Elizabeth I.
please Shakespeare’s patron, King James I, who was of Scottish descent.
10. After Macbeth’s second visit to the witches, their new predictions cause him to act (Points: 3)
with greater aggression and ruthlessness.
with greater concern for his wife.
with greater hesitation and care.
with greater intent to murder the king.
11. Before Lady Macduff is killed, she realizes the truth of the duality that to do harm is “often laudable” while doing good may be (Points: 3)
“a wife’s duty.”
“dangerous folly.”
“the surest way to anger Macbeth.”
“more laudable.”
12. What does Malcolm do to anger Macduff in Act IV? (Points: 3)
Malcolm seeks the aid of the English king.
Malcolm criticizes Macbeth as a vile tyrant who must be overthrown.
Malcolm organizes an army to invade Scotland.
Malcolm says of himself that he will be as bad a ruler as Macbeth.
13. What do readers learn about Macduff from his words and actions upon hearing that his wife and children have been killed? (Points: 3)
that he is light-hearted and forgiving
that he is cunning and hard-hearted
that he is inept and cowardly
that he is compassionate and soft-hearted
14. Lady Macbeth’s behavior and her sleepwalking episodes suggest that she is (Points: 3)
mentally unstable and riddled with guilt.
charming and friendly in her role as queen.
a loyal supporter of all her husband’s actions.
attempting to fool the doctor and the gentlewoman.
15. When Lady Macbeth dies and the apparitions become real, how does Macbeth react? (Points: 3)
with a decision to go down fighting
with determination to survive the battle with Malcolm
with an intent to avenge himself on the witches
with a desire to surrender to Macduff and ask for pardon