Macbeth scene 1-3 study questions

Scene 1:
1) The play opens with thunder and lightning as the three witches enter.  What does this tell us about the mood of the play?  What do the witches symbolize beyond just superstition?  Do you really believe that they are witches? The play is a dark mood, very ominous. The witches symbolize evil. I think that they really are witches because they know just how to put this idea of being king into Macbeth's head. They plant this thought and then they disappear setting him up for his "prophecy". 

2) What doe 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? The witches are saying that just because it appears to be fair doesn't mean it is. There is going to be some foul play later on that will ...appear to be fair to others but won't actually be... motif happens again good vs evil

3) How can a battle be “Lost and won”?  What foreshadow might this set-up?  What is the real battle in this play? They can win the battle but lose something in the process of winning this battle. It might set up the foreshadow of Macbeth killing the king and then eventually dying? Because he wins "the battle" by becoming king but he will lose something when he becomes kings. The real battle will be Macbeth's rise to power and struggle with he did to get the power. Battle for macbeth's soul?

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? The cats might symbolize the type of personality each witch has one is dark like this black
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1) What does the bloody man report?
The bloody man comes to tell the king of Macbeth and Banquo's bravery in battle and how they carried on and did what was necessary to win it and nothing phased them. 


2) Why is Macdonwald a worthy rebel?
He's a worthy rebel because he was a merciless villain and nothing stopped him

3) What similes or metaphors does the captain (the bloody man) use to describe Macbeth and Banquo?  What is significant about these descriptions? 
The two men are called eagles with the idea that they are majestic. 

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 to the sacrifice in the Bible where Golgotha had the choice in whether or not jesus was executed but chose to kill him because everyone else wanted it to happen, even though he thought he was innocent. It suggest that someone in this story might have the power to stop something from happening but they don't do anything about it. (Macbeth when his wife kills the king? They can't repent from their sins) 

5) Who was Scotland fighting?
The Norwegians 


Scene iii
1) Why do the witches talk in poetry?
The witches talk in poetry because it's like spell chants 

2) What do the witches predict for Macbeth?  What is the dramatic irony involved?
The witches predict him becoming the Thane of Cawdor. The dramatic irony is that we know how he will come to be the new King but he has no idea and it consumes his thoughts...

3) What do they witches predict for Banquo?  What irony is involved in this promise?
The witches predict he will not be the happiest but happier than macbeth. and he wouldn't be as great but still great. It suggests that Macbeth is going to get what is "promised" to him. He will be happy but Banquo will end up being happier because he won't be living with what macbeth is(how he got his title by killing the king). The irony is that in the end Banquo will be happier (his offspring will be kings ) 

4) What is your first impression of Macbeth in scenes ii-iii?  What is your first impression of Banquo?
Firrst impression of macbeth is that he is a noble warrior but he can be easily controlled because he believes the witches chants without a question all he wants to know is how to get there. Banquo isn't easily convinced and is smarter about making his decisions 


5) How do Macbeth and Banquo differ in their reactions to the witches predictions?  What does this tell us about their characters?
Macbeth is easily controlled and manipulated by good promises made to him. Banquo is more suspicious of things and doesn't fall for things as easy macbeth does. he isn't as gullible or easily convinced. Banquo and Macbeth are dramatic foils

6) What message does Ross bring?
Ross tells Macbeth of his new title 

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 this to mean that winning isn't always what it seems and could lead you on to the path to destruction.