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Macbeth Practice Questions

Question 1

34 marks

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 7 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play Macbeth is alone, thinking about whether to murder King Duncan, who is a guest in his castle.

1MACBETH. If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If th’ assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease success; that but this blow
5Might be the be-all and the end-all—here,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases
We still have judgement here; that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which being taught, return
10To plague th’ inventor. This even-handed justice
Commends th’ ingredience of our poison’d chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
15Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
20The deep damnation of his taking-off;
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, hors’d
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
25That tears shall drown the wind.—I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself
And falls on th’ other—

From Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Act 1 Scene 7.

Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s ambition.

Write about:

  • how Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s ambition in this speech
  • how Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s ambition in the play as a whole.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

Question 2

34 marks

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 5 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play Lady Macbeth has read Macbeth’s letter about the witches, and has just heard that King Duncan will stay at their castle tonight.

1LADY MACBETH. The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
5And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full
Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood,
Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse,
That no compunctious visitings of nature
Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between
10Th’ effect and it! Come to my woman’s breasts,
And take my milk for gall, your murd’ring ministers,
Wherever in your sightless substances
You wait on nature’s mischief! Come, thick night,
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell
15That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark
To cry, “Hold, hold!”
Enter Macbeth.
Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor!
20Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter!
Thy letters have transported me beyond
This ignorant present, and I feel now
The future in the instant.
MACBETH. My dearest love,
25Duncan comes here tonight.
LADY MACBETH. And when goes hence?
MACBETH. Tomorrow, as he purposes.
LADY MACBETH. O, never
Shall sun that morrow see!

From Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Act 1 Scene 5.

Starting with this extract, explore how far Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a powerful woman.

Write about:

  • how Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth in this extract
  • how far Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a powerful woman in the play as a whole.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

Question 3

34 marks

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 3 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play Macbeth and Banquo are crossing a heath on their way back from battle when they meet the three witches.

1MACBETH. So foul and fair a day I have not seen.
BANQUO. How far is’t call’d to Forres?—What are these,
So wither’d, and so wild in their attire,
That look not like the inhabitants o’ th’ earth,
5And yet are on’t?—Live you? or are you aught
That man may question? You seem to understand me,
By each at once her choppy finger laying
Upon her skinny lips. You should be women,
And yet your beards forbid me to interpret
10That you are so.
MACBETH. Speak, if you can;—what are you?
FIRST WITCH. All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!
SECOND WITCH. All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!
THIRD WITCH. All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter!
15BANQUO. Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear
Things that do sound so fair?—I’ th’ name of truth,
Are ye fantastical, or that indeed
Which outwardly ye show? My noble partner
You greet with present grace and great prediction
20Of noble having and of royal hope,
That he seems rapt withal. To me you speak not.
If you can look into the seeds of time,
And say which grain will grow, and which will not,
Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear
25Your favours nor your hate.
FIRST WITCH. Hail!
SECOND WITCH. Hail!
THIRD WITCH. Hail!
FIRST WITCH. Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.
30SECOND WITCH. Not so happy, yet much happier.
THIRD WITCH. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none:
So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!
FIRST WITCH. Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!

From Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Act 1 Scene 3.

Starting with this extract, explore how Shakespeare presents the supernatural.

Write about:

  • how Shakespeare presents the supernatural in this extract
  • how Shakespeare presents the supernatural in the play as a whole.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

Question 4

34 marks

Read the following extract from Act 2 Scene 1 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play Banquo and his son Fleance are in the courtyard of Macbeth’s castle late at night, shortly before Duncan’s murder.

1BANQUO. Hold, take my sword.—There’s husbandry in heaven;
Their candles are all out. Take thee that too.
A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,
And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers,
5Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature
Gives way to in repose!
Enter Macbeth and a Servant with a torch.
Give me my sword.—Who’s there?
MACBETH. A friend.
10BANQUO. What, sir, not yet at rest? The King’s abed:
He hath been in unusual pleasure and
Sent forth great largess to your offices.
This diamond he greets your wife withal,
By the name of most kind hostess, and shut up
15In measureless content.
MACBETH. Being unprepar’d,
Our will became the servant to defect,
Which else should free have wrought.
BANQUO. All’s well.
20I dreamt last night of the three Weird Sisters:
To you they have show’d some truth.
MACBETH. I think not of them:
Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve,
We would spend it in some words upon that business,
25If you would grant the time.
BANQUO. At your kind’st leisure.
MACBETH. If you shall cleave to my consent, when ’tis,
It shall make honour for you.
BANQUO. So I lose none
30In seeking to augment it, but still keep
My bosom franchis’d, and allegiance clear,
I shall be counsell’d.

From Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Act 2 Scene 1.

Starting with this extract, explore how far Shakespeare presents Banquo as a loyal and honourable character.

Write about:

  • how Shakespeare presents Banquo in this extract
  • how far Shakespeare presents Banquo as a loyal and honourable character in the play as a whole.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

Question 5

34 marks

Read the following extract from Act 2 Scene 2 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play Macbeth has just murdered Duncan and has come back to Lady Macbeth, still carrying the daggers.

1MACBETH. Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep,”—the innocent sleep;
Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleave of care,
The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath,
5Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course,
Chief nourisher in life’s feast.
LADY MACBETH. What do you mean?
MACBETH. Still it cried, “Sleep no more!” to all the house:
“Glamis hath murder’d sleep, and therefore Cawdor
10Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more!”
LADY MACBETH. Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane,
You do unbend your noble strength to think
So brainsickly of things. Go get some water,
And wash this filthy witness from your hand.—
15Why did you bring these daggers from the place?
They must lie there: go carry them, and smear
The sleepy grooms with blood.
MACBETH. I’ll go no more:
I am afraid to think what I have done;
20Look on’t again I dare not.
LADY MACBETH. Infirm of purpose!
Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead
Are but as pictures. ’Tis the eye of childhood
That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,
25I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal,
For it must seem their guilt.
[Exit. Knocking within.]
MACBETH. Whence is that knocking?
How is’t with me, when every noise appals me?
30What hands are here? Ha, they pluck out mine eyes!
Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine,
Making the green one red.

From Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Act 2 Scene 2.

Starting with this conversation, explore how Shakespeare presents the effects of guilt.

Write about:

  • how Shakespeare presents the effects of guilt in this conversation
  • how Shakespeare presents the effects of guilt in the play as a whole.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

Question 6

34 marks

Read the following extract from Act 3 Scene 4 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play Macbeth is hosting a banquet for his lords, and the ghost of Banquo has appeared in his seat; only Macbeth can see it.

1MACBETH. Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake
Thy gory locks at me.
ROSS. Gentlemen, rise; his Highness is not well.
LADY MACBETH. Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus,
5And hath been from his youth: pray you, keep seat;
The fit is momentary; upon a thought
He will again be well. If much you note him,
You shall offend him, and extend his passion.
Feed, and regard him not.—Are you a man?
10MACBETH. Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that
Which might appal the devil.
LADY MACBETH. O proper stuff!
This is the very painting of your fear:
This is the air-drawn dagger which you said,
15Led you to Duncan. O, these flaws, and starts
(Impostors to true fear), would well become
A woman’s story at a winter’s fire,
Authoris’d by her grandam. Shame itself!
Why do you make such faces? When all’s done,
20You look but on a stool.
MACBETH. Pr’ythee, see there!
Behold! look! lo! how say you?
Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.—
If charnel houses and our graves must send
25Those that we bury back, our monuments
Shall be the maws of kites.
[Ghost disappears.]
LADY MACBETH. What, quite unmann’d in folly?
MACBETH. If I stand here, I saw him.
30LADY MACBETH. Fie, for shame!

From Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Act 3 Scene 4.

Starting with this extract, explore how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Write about:

  • how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in this extract
  • how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the play as a whole.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

Question 7

34 marks

Read the following extract from Act 4 Scene 3 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play Macduff is in England with Malcolm, and Ross has just told him that Macbeth has had his wife and children killed.

1MACDUFF. My children too?
ROSS. Wife, children, servants, all
That could be found.
MACDUFF. And I must be from thence!
5My wife kill’d too?
ROSS. I have said.
MALCOLM. Be comforted:
Let’s make us med’cines of our great revenge,
To cure this deadly grief.
10MACDUFF. He has no children.—All my pretty ones?
Did you say all?—O hell-kite!—All?
What, all my pretty chickens and their dam
At one fell swoop?
MALCOLM. Dispute it like a man.
15MACDUFF. I shall do so;
But I must also feel it as a man:
I cannot but remember such things were,
That were most precious to me.—Did heaven look on,
And would not take their part? Sinful Macduff,
20They were all struck for thee! Naught that I am,
Not for their own demerits, but for mine,
Fell slaughter on their souls: heaven rest them now!
MALCOLM. Be this the whetstone of your sword. Let grief
Convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it.
25MACDUFF. O, I could play the woman with mine eyes,
And braggart with my tongue!—But, gentle heavens,
Cut short all intermission; front to front,
Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself;
Within my sword’s length set him; if he ’scape,
30Heaven forgive him too!
MALCOLM. This tune goes manly.

From Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Act 4 Scene 3.

Starting with this extract, explore how Shakespeare presents ideas about what it means to be a man.

Write about:

  • how Shakespeare presents ideas about what it means to be a man in this extract
  • how Shakespeare presents ideas about what it means to be a man in the play as a whole.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

Question 8

34 marks

Read the following extract from Act 5 Scene 3 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play Malcolm’s army is marching on Dunsinane and many of Macbeth’s thanes have deserted him.

1MACBETH. Bring me no more reports; let them fly all:
Till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane
I cannot taint with fear. What’s the boy Malcolm?
Was he not born of woman? The spirits that know
5All mortal consequences have pronounc’d me thus:
“Fear not, Macbeth; no man that’s born of woman
Shall e’er have power upon thee.”—Then fly, false thanes,
And mingle with the English epicures:
The mind I sway by, and the heart I bear,
10Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.
Enter a Servant.
The devil damn thee black, thou cream-fac’d loon!
Where gott’st thou that goose look?
SERVANT. There is ten thousand—
15MACBETH. Geese, villain?
SERVANT. Soldiers, sir.
MACBETH. Go prick thy face and over-red thy fear,
Thou lily-liver’d boy. What soldiers, patch?
Death of thy soul! those linen cheeks of thine
20Are counsellors to fear. What soldiers, whey-face?
SERVANT. The English force, so please you.
MACBETH. Take thy face hence.
[Exit Servant.]
Seyton!—I am sick at heart,
25When I behold—Seyton, I say!—This push
Will cheer me ever or disseat me now.
I have liv’d long enough: my way of life
Is fall’n into the sere, the yellow leaf;
And that which should accompany old age,
30As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have; but, in their stead,
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath,
Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not.
Seyton!—

From Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Act 5 Scene 3.

Starting with this extract, explore how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a tyrant.

Write about:

  • how Shakespeare presents Macbeth in this extract
  • how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a tyrant in the play as a whole.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]