Macbeth: Real vs. Imagined History

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Questions and Answers

What term does Porter use to describe the effect that starts with the letter 'e'?

Enlightenment

Elation

Equivocation (correct)

Eclipse

Which of the following is NOT one of the seven disturbances of nature mentioned?

Earthquakes

Thunderstorms (correct)

Chimneys falling over

Owls screeching all night long

What reason did Duncan's sons have for fleeing after their father's corpse was discovered?

They were seeking revenge

They planned to claim the throne

They feared for their lives (correct)

They wanted to gather allies

How does Macbeth initially treat Banquo, according to his behavior?

Friendly yet suspicious Signup and view all the answers

What does Macbeth command the murderers to do?

Murder Banquo and Fleance Signup and view all the answers

Why does Lady Macbeth scold Macbeth after the murder of King Duncan?

For expressing fear and sadness Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Banquo and Fleance during the murder plot?

Banquo is killed; Fleance escapes Signup and view all the answers

Why is Macbeth acting strangely during the banquet?

He sees the ghost of Banquo Signup and view all the answers

What are the three titles that the witches declare Macbeth will hold?

Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, King Signup and view all the answers

Why does Macbeth feel conflicted about killing Duncan?

He feels loyalty as a cousin and host. Signup and view all the answers

What plan does Lady Macbeth devise for Duncan's murder?

To get the guards drunk and frame them. Signup and view all the answers

How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth's hesitation to kill Duncan?

She questions his bravery and calls him a coward. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macbeth think he sees before committing the murder?

A floating dagger. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macbeth hear after he kills Duncan?

A voice saying, 'Sleep no more, Macbeth does murder sleep.' Signup and view all the answers

Why is Lady Macbeth unable to kill Duncan herself?

Duncan resembles her father. Signup and view all the answers

What honor does Duncan bestow upon Macbeth during his visit?

To invite himself to Macbeth's castle. Signup and view all the answers

What does King Duncan's announcement about Malcolm signify?

Malcolm will inherit the throne. Signup and view all the answers

How does Lady Macbeth's attitude differ from Macbeth's regarding their plan?

Lady Macbeth is adamant while Macbeth is hesitant. Signup and view all the answers

What steps do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plan to take to murder Duncan?

Drug the guards and murder Duncan in his sleep. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main characteristics of Lady Macbeth?

Manipulative and cruel. Signup and view all the answers

How does Macbeth react after hearing Duncan's announcement?

He worries about the consequences of his ambitions. Signup and view all the answers

Which characters led Duncan's troops during the Civil War?

Macbeth and Banquo. Signup and view all the answers

What is Lady Macbeth's view on traditional gender roles?

She believes they inhibit her power. Signup and view all the answers

Which groups attempted to overthrow King Duncan?

Macdonwald, the Thane of Cawdor, and the Norwegians. Signup and view all the answers

When did Macbeth become king in real history?

1040 Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary motivation for Shakespeare to write Macbeth?

To honor King James I's heritage Signup and view all the answers

How did Macbeth's reign end in real history?

He died in battle against Malcolm Signup and view all the answers

What was a key difference in King Duncan's portrayal in real history versus Shakespeare's history?

He was seen as a benevolent ruler in Shakespeare's version Signup and view all the answers

What claim did James I of England make regarding his lineage?

He descended from Banquo Signup and view all the answers

In Shakespeare’s version, what role does Lady Macbeth play?

She is depicted as a manipulative force Signup and view all the answers

What significant concept related to kingship is emphasized in both real and Shakespeare’s history?

The divine right of kings Signup and view all the answers

What was the manner in which Macbeth reportedly killed King Duncan in Shakespeare's version?

In cold blood while he was a guest Signup and view all the answers

Why does Macbeth act strangely at the banquet?

He hears that Fleance is still alive. Signup and view all the answers

What does Hecate instruct the witches to do?

Create apparitions to inform Macbeth of his fate. Signup and view all the answers

What opinion do Lennox and the Lord hold about Macbeth?

They view him as a tyrant. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two actions Macduff takes to show his disapproval of Macbeth?

He avoids attending Macbeth’s coronation. Signup and view all the answers

What request does Banquo make of Fleance before he dies?

To take revenge for him. Signup and view all the answers

What unusual vision does Macbeth encounter during the apparitions?

A child crowned with a tree in his hand. Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately causes Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's unhappiness in their roles as king and queen?

They struggle with guilt and loneliness. Signup and view all the answers

How does Hecate plan to manipulate Macbeth?

By making him see spirits that assure his immortality. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Macbeth: Real and Imagined

Shakespeare's play Macbeth was written between 1605 and 1606 to honor King James I of England, who was also King James VI of Scotland.
James claimed to be a descendant of Banquo, a fictional character in Shakespeare's play.
The witches tell Banquo he will be the father of kings, but not a king himself.
Shakespeare emphasizes the importance of loyalty to the king, which was important to James I, as a strong believer in the Divine Right of Kings.
In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Duncan is a benevolent ruler, but in real history, he was ineffective and unpopular.
Lady Macbeth is a powerful and manipulative figure in the play, but there is no historical evidence to support this.
In real history, Macbeth was a strong king who ruled for 17 years and passed humane laws.
However, in Shakespeare's play, Macbeth is a weak king with a short reign, overthrown by Malcolm.
The witches tell Macbeth he will be Thane of Cawdor and King.
Macbeth believes he is the Thane of Cawdor and King because of fate.
Macbeth's ambition to be king prompts him to assassinate Duncan.
Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee Scotland out of fear for their lives after their father's murder.
Macbeth's conscience plagues him after he murders Duncan.
Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to carry out the murder, even though she has reservations about it herself.
Macbeth, after becoming king, murders Banquo and Fleance, fearing that Banquo's sons could overthrow him.
Banquo's ghost appears to Macbeth during a banquet, further adding to his guilt and paranoia.
Macbeth seeks out the witches for more prophecies, but these prophecies are ambiguous and ultimately lead to his downfall.
Macduff leads a rebellion against Macbeth to avenge the deaths of Duncan and Banquo.
Macduff discovers that Macbeth had his family murdered.
Macduff, driven by revenge, kills Macbeth and eventually becomes king.

Act I

King Duncan visits Macbeth's castle at Inverness.
Duncan thanks Macbeth by promoting him to Thane of Cawdor.
Macbeth has a conversation with Banquo, discussing the witches' prophecies.
Macbeth’s hesitation to kill Duncan is revealed through his internal conflict.
Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to carry out the murder.

Act II

Macbeth, after murdering Duncan, is plagued with guilt and paranoia.
Lady Macbeth tries to calm him, but she too is struggling to cope with the weight of their actions.
Macbeth’s decision to murder Duncan is driven by his ambition to be king, which is fueled by the witches' prophecies.

Act III

Macbeth murders Banquo and Fleance, trying to secure his position as king.
Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft, appears to the witches and orders them to manipulate Macbeth.

Act IV

Macbeth visits the witches and receives ambiguous prophecies that further feed his ambition and paranoia.
Macduff has fled Scotland in fear for his life after learning of Macbeth’s murderous ways.
Macduff travels to England to seek help from the king to defeat Macbeth.

Act V

Macbeth is defeated and killed, leading to the restoration of order, restored by Malcolm.

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Description

Explore the fascinating contrasts between Shakespeare's Macbeth and the historical truths behind the characters and events. This quiz compares the portrayal of Macbeth, Duncan, and Banquo in the play with their real-life counterparts. Test your knowledge of the themes and historical context that influenced Shakespeare’s writing.