Macbeth 2

Study Guide Questions for Act 1, Scenes 4-7

If you are looking for the beginning of the study for Shakespeare’s Macbeth then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. If you would like to see the growing list of book studies available for free on this site you can go HERE. Enjoy!

Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Betrayal, Light vs. Darkness, Evil, Deception

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. What was the demeanor (attitude) of the previous thane of Cawdor when he met his death?

2. What did Macbeth realize was “a step on which [he] must fall down or else o'erleap?”

3. What did Lady Macbeth “fear” about her husband?

4. To whom did Lady Macbeth pray and for what did she ask?

5. In what manner did Lady Macbeth greet King Duncan?

6. What reasons did Macbeth give for why Duncan had “double trust” in him?

7. What did Macbeth say that they should “proceed no further in?’

8. What means did Lady Macbeth use to manipulate her husband into doing what she wanted?

9. What kind of children did Macbeth say his wife should have?

10. Whom did Macbeth and his wife plan to pin the murder of King Duncan upon?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. What did King Duncan mean when he said, “There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face?”

2. In scene 4 Duncan said “Signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine on all deservers.” Contrast this with what Macbeth’s demand to the stars. Why might this be important?

3. How does Lady Macbeth’s prayer continue the theme of confusion among the sexes and their roles?

4. Why does Lady Macbeth insist on murdering the king when the first prophecy concerning Macbeth becoming Thane of Cawdor came true without any action on his part?

5. What does Lady Macbeth seem to think is manly behavior versus womanly behavior?

6. What did Macbeth mean when he said, “False face must hide what the false heart doth know?”

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. Do men and women have roles to play which are determined by their biological sex? If so, what is an example of such a role for each sex? If not, how do you explain the widespread belief that this is the case? Is the concept of having a role (or purpose) built in as part your biological sex burdensome or freeing? Explain your answer carefully.

2. Consider Macbeth’s behavior in the war that just ended (from the previous reading) as well as his interactions with his wife (in this reading). Given what we have seen so far about him, would you argue that Macbeth is courageous or cowardly? Explain your answer thoughtfully.

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read 1 Timothy 2:8-15 and Ephesians 5:22-33. How do these passages address the question of the roles God desires men and women to play in the lives God has given them?