What is the central theme of Act 1?

ANSWER : betrayal

For which of the following reasons did Shakespeare probably choose to write Macbeth in blank verse?

ANSWER : to create an effect of natural speech

What appears to be Macbeth’s character flaw?

ANSWER : a desire for power

Which of the following characterizes the line “This night’s great business into my dispatch” as blank 

verse?

ANSWER : it has ten syllables with the stress falling on every second syllable

What important role do the witches play in Act 1?

ANSWER : they foreshadow events

Based upon the information in Act 1, what can you infer about King Duncan?

ANSWER : he places a high value on bravery and loyalty

Which of the following best describes Macbeth’s feelings about the possible assassination of King 

Duncan?

ANSWER : tortured ambivalence

Why does Lady Macbeth think Macbeth has a poor chance of achieving power?

ANSWER : his ambition is not of a ruthless nature

Why are Macbeth’s words to King Duncan hypocritical?

ANSWER : he has contemplated assassinating King Duncan

Throughout Act 1, Macbeth’s plans and actions seem to be motivated most of all by:

ANSWER : his wife’s encouragement

brighten; polished

ANSWER : furbished

having the power to predict or foreshadow

ANSWER : prophetic

to form an opinion from inconclusive evidence

ANSWER : surmise

lord or king

ANSWER : liege

to condemn sharply; scold

ANSWER : chastise

very abstract

ANSWER : metaphysical

supreme in power, rank, or authority

ANSWER : sovereign

Lady Macbeth wants her husband to possess the golden crown which fate and _______ aid stem ready 

to give him.

ANSWER : metaphysical

After Macbeth’s first victory, the Norwegian lord, with __________ arms and new supplies of men, 

began a fresh assault.

ANSWER : furbished

My _______ Malcolm says to Duncan

ANSWER : liege

Macbeth calls the predictions a _________ greeting

ANSWER : prophetic

Lady Macbeth plans to _______ with the valor of her tongue.

ANSWER : chastise