Macbeth Acts II & III
Quiz by James Nelson
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- Q1
Macbeth proposes to Banquo in scene 1:“If you shall cleave to my consent, when ’tis, It shall make honor for you.” Which of the following choices best paraphrases his proposal?
If you help me to become king, I will shower you with honors
If you support me when I become king, I will make it worth your while.
If you agree to help me kill the king,I will honor all your wishes.
If you agree to stay quiet when I kill the king, I will make it worth it for you.
30s - Q2
In response to Macbeth’s proposal, Banquo says: “So I lose none / In seeking to augment it, but still keep / My bosom franchised and allegiance clear.” He means that:
He is fine supporting Macbeth if he can keep his heart free of guilt and his loyalty to the current king clear.
He has nothing to lose in helping Macbeth become king as long as he doesn’t have to do anything to harm the current king.
He will not support Macbeth as king because it means he will have to be disloyal to the current king.
He will only support Macbeth if he is rewarded properly for it.
30s - Q3
Which of the following responses best describe Macbeth’s mental state during his “dagger” soliloquy?
Confident
Regretful
Unstable
Depressed
30s - Q4
Which of the following choices best describe Lady Macbeth’s mood at the opening of scene 2, the murder scene?
Uncertain and questioning
Remorseful and depressed
Paranoid and fearful
Bold and determined
30s - Q5
After the murder in scene 2, Macbeth says, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?”What does the blood most likely symbolize?
Death
Life
Guilt
Evil
30s - Q6
Whom does the porter pretend to let into “hell” at the beginning of Scene 3?
People who have betrayed the king
People who have done wrong things for personal gain
Tradespeople who are trying to sell their goods
Corrupt noblemen who have been invited to the castle
30s - Q7
In scene 3, Macbeth tries to explain why he killed the guards, saying, “Who can be wise, amazed, temp'rate, and furious, / Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man. / Th' expedition of my violent love / Outrun the pauser, reason.” He means:
He was so confused at what had happened that he did not know what he was doing.
His wisdom and loyalty turned into violence, so he felt he had to kill someone.
He was so outraged at the king’s murder that his emotions overtook his reason.
The murder was so outrageous that he was afraid the guards would kill again.
30s - Q8
Banquo establishes himself as an antagonist when he:
Tells everyone to get dressed so they can discuss what happened
Promises to find and fight the traitor
Demands that no one leave the castle
Rings the alarm bell, crying, “Murder!”
30s - Q9
According to scene 4, why are the king’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, considered suspects?
They went directly to Duncan’s castle to secure all his riches.
They showed little grief about their father’s death.
They fled the country after the murder.
They were seen drinking with the guards before the murder.
30s - Q10
What object does Macbeth hallucinate after killing the King?
A dagger
A gun
A shield
A sword
30s - Q11
What is Macbeth’s most likely reason for questioning Banquo about his plans for the day in the beginning of scene 1?
He wants to know Banquo’s whereabouts so the murderers can find him.
He has heard rumors that Banquo does not plan to attend the banquet.
He is suspicious that Banquo is conspiring against him with other nobles.
He wants to speak to Banquo about the witches’ prophecies.
30s - Q12
What is the primary reason Macbeth feels he must murder Banquo? Choose the BEST response.
He believes that Banquo’s children will take over his throne.
The people would prefer to have Banquo as their king.
The prophecies for Banquo foresee happiness for him rather than guilt.
He fears that Banquo will join with Malcolm and Macduff to overthrow him.
30s - Q13
How does Macbeth convince the murderers to kill Banquo? Choose the line(s) from the play below that provide the reasoning he offers them:
"Are you so gospeled / To pray for this good man and for his issue, / Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave / And beggared yours forever? “
"Know / That it was he, in the times past, which held you / So under fortune, which you thought had been / Our innocent self.”
All of the above
“And thence it is, / That I to your assistance do make love, /Masking the business from the common eye/ For sundry weighty reasons.”
A and B only
30s - Q14
Which of the following lines from Act 3 scene 2 best illustrate how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth feel about Duncan now that he is dead?
“Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed.”
“Better be with the dead, /Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, / Than on the torture of the mind to lie / In restless ecstasy.”
“There’s comfort yet; they are assailable.”
“But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, / Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep In the affliction of these terrible dreams…”
30s - Q15
How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth’s idea of killing Banquo?
She wants to help him with the planning so that he doesn’t get caught.
She wonders if he wants to murder her as well.
She thinks it is a good idea that will help keep them securely on the throne.
She doesn’t want him to do it, telling him that Banquo will not live forever.
30s