Macbeth Act I Review

Questions and Answers

What does the term 'revolt' mean?

Attempt to overthrow a lawful ruler

What is meant by 'captivity'?

State of being held against one's will

What does 'assault' refer to?

Military Attack

What does it mean to 'flout' a law?

Break a rule or law without hiding it or showing shame Signup and view all the answers

What does 'rebellious' mean?

Acting against authority Signup and view all the answers

What are treasons?

Crimes of helping the enemies of one's country Signup and view all the answers

What are the witches discussing at the beginning of the play?

The witches are talking about when they are going to meet next. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Captain report about the battle to King Duncan?

The captain tells King Duncan that Macbeth fought bravely and defeated the enemy. Signup and view all the answers

What title is given to Macbeth and why?

Macbeth is given the title Thane of Cawdor because the old thane was a traitor and was killed. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the original Thane of Cawdor?

The original Thane of Cawdor was killed and he was a traitor. Signup and view all the answers

How do the witches greet Macbeth after the battle?

The witches greet Macbeth by saying 'All hail Macbeth' and predict he will become Thane of Cawdor and then king. Signup and view all the answers

What news is brought by Ross and Angus to Macbeth?

Ross and Angus tell Macbeth that he is now Thane of Cawdor. Signup and view all the answers

Describe what kind of man King Duncan is.

King Duncan is a very kind-hearted good leader; he trusts the wrong people. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Lady Macbeth's 'unsex me' scene?

Lady Macbeth calls to evil spirits to toughen her up so she can follow through with her plans. Signup and view all the answers

What has Lady Macbeth schemed to do to the king?

Lady Macbeth has schemed to kill the king by getting his guards drunk and framing them. Signup and view all the answers

Why has King Duncan come to Macbeth's castle?

King Duncan has come to celebrate that his son, Malcolm, has been named the next king. Signup and view all the answers

How sure is Lady Macbeth that the plot will succeed?

Lady Macbeth is very sure that it will succeed because it will look like the guards did it. Signup and view all the answers

What is Macbeth's tragic flaw?

Macbeth's tragic flaw is his ambition. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'soliloquy' mean?

Alone on the stage speaking or thinking to oneself. Signup and view all the answers

What does the word 'bell' signify in a war context?

War Signup and view all the answers

What does 'antebellum' mean?

Before the war Signup and view all the answers

What does 'belligerent' mean?

Hostile and aggressive Signup and view all the answers

What does 'bellicose' refer to?

Demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight. Signup and view all the answers

What are the witches' three predictions?

<ol> <li>Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor 2. Macbeth will soon be king 3. Banquo's children will become king.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vocabulary Terms

Revolt: An attempt to overthrow a lawful ruler, indicating resistance and rebellion against authority.
Captivity: The state of being held against one's will, often resulting in a loss of freedom.
Assault: A military attack, suggesting aggressive action in a conflict or warfare.
Flout: To openly break a rule or law without shame or concealment, reflecting defiance.
Rebellious: Acting against authority, often characterized by opposition to established norms.
Treasons: Crimes involving betrayal or helping the enemies of one's country, undermining national integrity.

Plot Points and Character Insights

The witches open the play by discussing their next meeting, establishing a dark tone and foreshadowing the play's events.
Captain reports Macbeth's bravery in battle, highlighting his heroic qualities and loyalty to King Duncan.
Macbeth receives the title Thane of Cawdor due to the execution of the previous thane for treason.
The original Thane of Cawdor lost his title and was executed for betrayal.
The witches greet Macbeth with praise and prophecy; Banquo reacts with skepticism while Macbeth is eager for more information.
Ross and Angus inform Macbeth of his new title, signaling a shift in his fate.
King Duncan is portrayed as kind-hearted yet naïve, trusting the wrong people, which raises questions about his leadership effectiveness.
Lady Macbeth's "unsex me" scene reveals her desire to shed femininity for ruthlessness needed to pursue power.
Lady Macbeth views Macbeth as weak, as shown during their discussions about his reluctance to kill King Duncan.
Her plot involves intoxicating the guards to frame them for the king's murder, showcasing her manipulative nature.
King Duncan visits Macbeth's castle to celebrate the designation of Malcolm as his successor.
Lady Macbeth's confidence in their plot hinges on the belief that the guards will be blamed.
Macbeth's tragic flaw lies in his ambition and desire for power, setting the stage for his downfall.

Thematic Elements

Soliloquy: A dramatic device where a character shares thoughts alone on stage, revealing inner conflicts.
War Terminology: Words like "bell," "antebellum," "belligerent," and "bellicose" connect to themes of conflict, aggression, and the prelude to chaos.

Witches' Predictions

Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor, indicating a rise in status.
Macbeth is prophesied to become king, driving his ambitious nature.
Banquo's descendants are foretold to inherit the throne, introducing elements of fate and rivalry.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key vocabulary from Act I of Macbeth with this flashcard quiz. Each word is essential for understanding the themes and characters of Shakespeare's play. Enhance your comprehension and retention of important terms related to revolt, captivity, and more.