Macbeth Act I
Quiz by James Nelson
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- Q1
In Act I scene 1 of Macbeth, the witches claim, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” What theme does this line help to establish early in the play? Choose the best response.
Things are not always what they appear to be.
Life is often unfair.
People who do wrong try to explain away their actions as being fair.
All good people will eventually do evil deeds.
30s - Q2
Based on his actions during the battle in scene 2, which of the following character traits best describe Macbeth?
Cunning and corrupt
Strategic and secretive
Courageous and ruthless
Careless and rebellious
30s - Q3
What is a soliloquy?
When only portions of the stage are lit for various scenes
When a character in a drama addresses the audience directly
An act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself, especially by a character in a play
The movement that characters make on stage
30s - Q4
Who is Banquo?
A warrior in King Duncan's army; Macbeth's friend
Macbeth's servant
Macbeth's enemy
The king
30s - Q5
In Scene 2, Duncan says to Ross: “No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive / Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death, / And with his former title greet Macbeth.” In these lines, Duncan orders Ross to:
Announce the execution of the thane of Cawdor and tell Macbeth he now has that title
Command Macbeth to kill the thane of Cawdor so that he can seize his title
Warn Macbeth about the thane of Cawdor’s treachery
Warn the rest of the noblemen of that the current thane of Cawdor is a traitor
30s - Q6
In the opening of scene 3, the witches talk about a spell they cast on a sailor and his wife. The most likely purpose for including this scene is:
to lighten the mood of a dark scene
to make the scene feel more authentic
to demonstrate the witches’ humorous, playful and childish side
to reveal the witches' cruel, vindictive and mischievous character
30s - Q7
According to the witches’ prophecies in scene 3, what will happen to Macbeth and Banquo?
Macbeth will be named king, while Banquo will be named thane of Cawdor.
Macbeth must murder the king to become king, and Banquo must help him do so.
Macbeth will be king, while Banquo’s descendants will be kings.
Macbeth and Banquo will battle each other for the kingdom one day.
30s - Q8
According to the following lines he speaks in scene 3, why is Macbeth conflicted about the prospect of becoming king?
“This supernatural soliciting cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill,
Why hath it given me earnest of success,
Commencing in a truth? I am thane of Cawdor.
If Good, why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my haiR
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs…”
He is happy having been named thane of Cawdor and does not feel the need for more.
He is not sure if he can trust the witches who he realizes might harm him in the end.
He is torn between his desire to be king and the terrible deeds he might have to do to make it happen.
He is afraid that becoming king will turn him into an evil person who will do horrible deeds.
60s - Q9
In scene 4, to whom does King Duncan name Prince of Cumberland and heir to the Scottish throne?
His youngest son, Donalbain
His oldest son, Malcolm
Banquo
Macbeth
30s - Q10
Who is Lady Macbeth?
Macbeth's mother
Macbeth's daughter
Macbeth's wife
Macbeth's sister
30s - Q11
In Scene 5, Lady Macbeth says Macbeth’s nature is “too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness.” She means that he lacks:
Enough cruelty to murder the king
Ambition to be king
The qualification to be a good king
Respect for her ideas
30s - Q12
Based on her words and actions in scene 5, which of the following character traits best describe Lady Macbeth?
Selfish, thoughtless, and careless
Ruthless, manipulative, and cruel
Loving, devoted, but critical
Ambitious but detached and insincere
30s - Q13
What is Lady Macbeth’s tone in the following lines she delivers to Macbeth after he refuses to go along with the plan to kill Duncan?
“Was the hope drunk / Wherein you dressed yourself? / Hath it slept since? / And wakes now, to look so green and pale / At what it did so freely? Such I account thy love.”
Confused and distracted
Mocking and insulting
Sad and heartbroken
Disappointed but understanding
30s - Q14
What do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plan to do to cover up their murder of Duncan?
Flee the castle and blame Banquo for the murder
Convince the guards that Duncan is evil and must be overthrown
Frame the guards by getting them drunk and using their daggers to kill Duncan
Spread rumors that Duncan’s sons are responsible for the murder
30s - Q15
Which is a theme in Macbeth?
Gender and power
Warfare
Coming of Age
Man vs. Nature
30s