1) The play opens with thunder and lightning as the three witches enter. What does this tell us about the mood of the play? It sets sets the mood as being dark, seeing that it opens to lightning over a battlefield. What do the witches symbolize beyond just superstition? Do you really believe that they are witches? The witches symbolize evil. They are witches.
2) What do the witches mean when they say, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”? What does this tell you about what is likely to go on during the play? It means appearance vs reality. I think it means the witches are gonna pull some trickery.
3) How can a battle be “Lost and won”? What foreshadow might this set-up? What is the real battle in this play? You can win a battle but lose the war and vice versa. You could also win a battle but lose something important in it. This might foreshadow something to due with Macbeth like killing the king or something weird like that. The real battle is Macbeth's rise to power.
4) Graymalkin and Paddock are familiars (a cat and a toad). What does this suggest about the action of the play? What might they symbolize?
They might symbolize demons. It suggests the action of the play is going to be about deceiving others.
Scene Two
1) What does the bloody man report?
He reports their first victory; as well as now Norway is attacking and Macdonald betrayed them.
2) Why is Macdonald a worthy rebel?
There's evils in his creation
3) What similes or metaphors does the captain (the bloody man) use to describe Macbeth and Banquo? What is significant about these descriptions?
He uses the sparrows and eagles, and mice to lions. This means that they are majestic and fearless of the ones smaller than them.
4) “Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, or memorize another Golgotha.” What is the allusion? What is significant about the statement? What does it suggest? Please keep in mind the religious/superstitious images/symbols already presented.
The allusion is the Golgotha, which is the crucification of Christ. They're relating the battle with the crucification. It suggests they're trying to clear their sins.
5) Who was Scotland fighting?
Norway
Scene Three
1) Why do the witches talk in poetry?
It's how their spells are cast.
2) What do the witches predict for Macbeth? What is the dramatic irony involved?
They predict he'll be king and thane of Cawdor.The dramatic irony is we know he's already the thane and he doesn't.
3) What do they witches predict for Banquo? What irony is involved in this promise?
They predict he'll be happy but not the happiest, and that his children will be become kings. The irony is that Macbeth will be king, but Banquo's children will be after him.
4) What is your first impression of Macbeth in scenes ii-iii? What is your first impression of Banquo?
Macbeth seems really gullible, and Banquo seems really paranoid and doesn't trust easy.
5) How do Macbeth and Banquo differ in their reactions to the witches predictions? What does this tell us about their characters?
Macbeth openly accepted what the witches said, while Banquo didn't trust them and tried to get Macbeth not to too.
6) What message does Ross bring?
That Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor
7) “But ‘tis strange! And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray us in deepest consequence.” Who speaks the above quote? What is the significance or meaning of the quote?
Banquo says it, and he's trying to get Macbeth not to trust them also.
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