73 pages 2 hours read

William Shakespeare

Macbeth

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1623

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Answer Key

Act I

Reading Check

1. Thane of Cawdor (1.3)

2. Malcolm (1.4)

3. Murder the king (1.5, 1.7)

Short Answer

1. The witches predict Banquo’s heirs will be king. (1.3) The witches predict Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and king. They are confident in their predictions but cryptic, and they disappear although Macbeth commands them to stay.

2. Lady Macbeth is determined to get Macbeth to do what it takes to gain power as quickly as possible. (1.5)

Act II

Reading Check

1. A dagger (2.1)

2. Macbeth (2.1-2.2)

3. Macbeth (2.3)

4. Rage (2.3)

5. To cover up his murder of the king (1.7, 2.1)

6. Macbeth (2.4)

Short Answer

1. Lady Macbeth chastises Macbeth when he does not leave the daggers by the guards. She places the daggers by the guards and leads Macbeth away to clean up. (2.2)

2. Malcolm and Donalbain leave the country, which some believe is suspicious. (2.3)

Act III

Reading Check