Chapter 1 – Macbeth solutions

Content Structure

1. About the author – William Shakespeare
2. Summary of the Macbeth
- Act – I
- Act – II
- Act – III
- Act – Iv
- Act – V
3. Word meanings
4. Additional Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)

1. About the author – William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was a famous English playwright, poet and actor who was born on 23rd April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He is known as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s best dramatist. He wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets and two long narrative poems. His famous plays are Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello and Julius Caesar. He writes about love, power, jealousy and fate. He died on 23rd April 1616.

2. Summary of the Macbeth

Act – I

Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, was a brave general of Scotland and a close relative of the old king. Macbeth fought bravely and won against a rebel army supported by Norway, so everyone thanked him for his help. Two Scottish generals, Banquo and Macbeth, were returning from a battle when they noticed three witches dancing. The first witch honored Macbeth as the “Thane of Glamis,” the second witch used the title “Thane of Cawdor,” and the third witch told him, “You will be the king of Scotland,” which surprised Macbeth. The witches told Banquo that his son would become the king of Scotland. Banquo was happy, but Macbeth was filled with curiosity. During their discussion, Ross and Angus arrived with a message from the king, announcing Macbeth’s new title of Thane of Cawdor, which surprised them. Macbeth shared everything with his wife, who encouraged him to kill the king, believing it was the right decision.

Act – II

The king, after hearing about Macbeth’s brave victory, visited his home with his two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, and gave him a castle as a gift. The king was very happy because of the warm welcome from Lady Macbeth, who cleverly hid her evil plans behind smiles and polite behavior. After a long journey, the king was too tired, so he went to bed early. Lady Macbeth gave drugs to all the servants. In the middle of the night, when nature slept, Lady Macbeth convinced Macbeth to kill the king. So Macbeth went to the king’s room with fear and murdered him. The next morning, when Duncan’s sons saw their father’s dead body, they were filled with fear and left the kingdom. Malcolm, the eldest, went to England, while Donalbain, the youngest son, ran away to Ireland. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth then became the rulers of Scotland.

Act – III

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth could not stop thinking about the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s children, not Macbeth’s, would be future kings. So, Macbeth planned to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, to stop the prophecy from coming true. He arranged a grand banquet and invited all the important nobles, including Banquo and Fleance. Macbeth secretly sent some killers to attack them on their way. The killers murdered Banquo, but Fleance escaped. At the banquet, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth behaved warmly and respectfully, pretending everything was normal. Suddenly, Macbeth saw Banquo’s ghost in his chair and froze in fear, his face turning white as he looked at it silently. Lady Macbeth, afraid that he might reveal their terrible secret, quickly ended the banquet and sent the guests away, saying Macbeth felt ill. Macbeth decided to meet the three witches again to know his future.

Act – IV

The first witch warns Macbeth about Macduff. The second witch tells him that he will not lose a fight until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane. The third witch says that a child born in the normal way from a woman’s womb will not kill him. Macbeth then promises to guard Birnam Wood and sends killers to murder Macduff’s wife and son. However, Macduff has already gone to England to join Malcolm’s army, where King Edward offers support to fight against Macbeth.

Act – V

Lady Macbeth had been suffering from guilt and sleepwalking, so soon she went mad and died one day. Malcolm’s rebel Scottish army is chopping down Birnam Wood and carrying its branches to Dunsinane. Birnam Wood appears to be moving so Macbeth calls on the witches in fear, but they assure him that a child born of a woman’s womb naturally will not kill him, so Macbeth decides to fight with Macduff. Macbeth does not fear Macduff because the witches assured him of this, while Macduff declares that he was not born of a woman’s womb naturally but was delivered by cesarean section. This revelation shocks Macbeth, as he realizes too late he understands the true meaning of the witches’ words. Macbeth, having lost all hope, fought with Macduff, but Macduff killed him by cutting off his head. Malcolm then became the new king of Scotland; all the nobles and people welcomed him with cheers.

WB 11 all notes

3. Word Meaning

Word	Meaning
Esteem	Great respect
Thane	A nobleman or chief in ancient Scotland
Prophesied	Said what would happen in the future
Envoy	Messenger
Spurred	Encouraged
Compunction	A feeling of guilt
Freize	Wooden fabric
Abhorrent	Very bad
Inordinate	Excessive
Phantasm	What exists in the imagination
Somnambulism	Sleepwalking
Impregnable	Unable to be captured
Skirmish	A brief fight
Vouches	Confirms that something is true
Reproached	Scolded
Equivocations	Use of language with double meanings
Defeated	Lost
Withered skin	Wrinkled skin
Empowered	Given power or strength
Corresponding	Matching
Miraculously	Happened in a magical way
Wrapped	Covered
Riddling	Confusing
Swallows	Small birds
Camouflaging	Hiding
Treacherous	Dangerous
Utmost grief	Deep sorrow
Sought	Tried to find something
Defiled	Spoiled or made unclean
Assassins	People who kill secretly
Conciliated	Made peace
Posterity	Generations that come after us
Miserable thoughts	Very unhappy thoughts
Scorn	Disrespect
Conspiracies	Hidden plans to do bad things
Vanquished	Defeated completely
Stung with rage	Suddenly filled with anger
Grave	Very important or serious
Afflicted	Suffering
Besieging	Blocking a place to attack it
Slaughtered	Killed in a violent way
Brutally slaughtering	Killing people in a cruel way
Lamented	Cried
Deceive	Trick
Ascended	Went up or climbed
Acclamations	Loud praise or cheers

WB 11 all notes

4 . Additional Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)

1. Who was Macbeth’s friend?
(a) Duncan
(b) Lady Macbeth
(c) Banquo
(d) Malcolm

Ans: (c) Banquo

2. Who was the elder son of Duncan?
(a) Fleance
(b) Macduff
(c) Donalbain
(d) Malcolm

Ans: (d) Malcolm

3. Who was the Thane of Fife?
(a) Macduff
(b) Macbeth
(c) Fleance
(d) Banquo

Ans: (a) Macduff

4. What was the name of Banquo’s son?
(a) Malcolm
(b) Donalbain
(c) Fleance
(d) Macduff

Ans: (c) Fleance

5. Who gave Macbeth the title “Thane of Cawdor”?
(a) Ross and Angus
(b) Duncan
(c) King of England
(d) Banquo

Ans: (a) Ross and Angus

6. What was Macbeth’s tragic flaw?
(a) Kindness
(b) Greed
(c) Ambition
(d) Laziness

Ans: (c) Ambition

7. Who encouraged Macbeth to kill the king?
(a) Banquo
(b) Lady Macbeth
(c) Malcom
(d) Fleance

Ans: (b) Lady Macbeth

8. Who was Duncan’s youngest son?
(a) Fleance
(b) Malcom
(c) Donalbain
(d) Macduff

Ans: (c) Donalbain

9. Bellona is the goddess of —
(a) Wisdom
(b) Love
(c) War
(d) Peace

Ans: (c) War

10. Macbeth was a close relative of —
(a) Banquo
(b) Duncan
(c) Malcolm
(d) Ross

Ans: (b) Duncan

11. The title “Thane” in the play refers to —
(a) A magician
(b) A nobleman
(c) A soldier
(d) A priest

Ans: (b) A nobleman

12. Why was Macbeth respected throughout Scotland?
(a) For his wealth
(b) For his kindness
(c) For his wisdom
(d) For his bravery in war

Ans: (d) For his bravery in war

13. Who is referred to as “Bellona’s bridegroom”?
(a) Duncan
(b) Macbeth
(c) Banquo
(d) Macduff

Ans: (b) Macbeth

14. Who became king after Macbeth’s death?
(a) Banquo
(b) Fleance
(c) Malcolm
(d) Macduff

Ans: (c) Malcolm

15. Macbeth had recently defeated –
(a) An invader
(b) A rebel army
(c) His rival
(d) A neighbouring country

Ans: (b) A rebel army

16. Who first called Macbeth ‘Thane of Glamis’?
(a) The second witch
(b) The first witch
(c) Banquo
(d) The third witch

Ans: (b) The first witch

17. Macbeth got the message that he was made –
(a) Thane of cowdor
(b) Thane of Glamis
(c) The king of Scotland
(d) None of these

Ans: (a) Thane of Cawdor

18. When Macbeth and Banquo were coming back after the war, they met –
(a) Three witches
(b) Other soldiers
(c) Malcolm and Macduff
(d) Enemy troop

Ans: (a) Three witches

19. Duncan was the king of –
(a) Ireland
(b) Scotland
(c) Lllyria
(d) England

Ans: (b) Scotland

20. The second witch greeted Macbeth as –
(a) Thane of Cawdor
(b) Thane of Glamis
(c) The king of Scotland
(d) None of these

Ans: (a) Thane of Cawdor

21. The rebel army Macbeth defeated was from –
(a) Ireland
(b) England
(c) Norway
(d) Finland

Ans: (c) Norway

22. When Macbeth and Banquo were returning, the weather was—
(a) Lightning and thunder
(b) Sunshine
(c) Torrential rain
(d) Darkness and mist

Ans: (a) Lightning and thunder

23. At the beginning of the story, Macbeth was—
(a) the thane of Cawdor
(b) The king of Scotland
(c) The thane of Fife
(d) The thane of Glamis

Ans: (d) The Thane of Glamis

24. The first witch greeted Macbeth as—
(a) Future king of Scotland
(b) Thane of Glamis
(c) Thane of Cawdor
(d) All of these

Ans: (b) Thane of Glamis

25. Who was the king of Scotland?
(a) Macduff
(b) Donalbain
(c) Duncan
(d) Orsino

Ans: (c) Duncan

26. Banquo called the witches—
(a) Ministers of the sky
(b) Ministers of darkness
(c) Ministers of light
(d) Invisible ministers

Ans: (b) Ministers of darkness

27. The first witch called Macbeth—
(a) King of Scotland
(b) Thane of Cawdor
(c) Thane of Glamis
(d) Great general

Ans: (c) Thane of Glamis

28. “Lesser than Macbeth and greater” was said about—
(a) Malcolm’s father
(b) An irish General
(c) Macduff’s father
(d) Banquo

Ans: (d) Banquo

29. The witches were—
(a) Dancing and cackling
(b) laughing and singing
(c) Singing and dancing
(d) Laughing and dancig

Ans: (c) Singing and dancing

30. Macbeth was written by—
(a) Oscar wilde
(b) William Wordsworth
(c) Bernard Shaw
(d) William Shakespeare

Ans: (d) William Shakespeare

31. Macbeth was killed by—
(a) Malcolm
(b) Donalbain
(c) macduff
(d) Banquo

Ans: (c) macduff

32. ‘Juggling spirits’ refers to –
(a) Treacherous thanes
(b) The apparitions
(c) Malcolm and Macduff
(d) The witches

Ans: (d) The witches

33. The man who was not naturally born was –
(a) Macduff
(b) Macbeth
(c) Malcolm
(d) Donalbain

Ans: (a) Macduff

34. Lady Macbeth planned the king’s murder—
(a) In the afternoon
(b) In the evening
(c) At night
(d) At midnight

Ans: (d) At midnight

35. After Duncan’s sons fled, who became the next heir?
(a) Banquo
(b) Macbeth
(c) Fleance
(d) Macduff

Ans: (b) Macbeth

36. Duncan visited –
(a) Macduff’s castle
(b) Malcolm’s castle
(c) Macbeth’s castle
(d) Banquo’s castle

Ans: (c) Macbeth’s castle

37. Duncan looked like—
(a) Lady Macbeth’s brother
(b) Macbeth’s father
(c) Macbeth’s brother
(d) Lady macbeth’s father

Ans: (d) Lady macbeth’s father

38. Malcolm fled to –
(a) Finland
(b) Ireland
(c) England
(d) Scotland

Ans: (c) England

39. Duncan’s elder son was—
(a) Fleance
(b) Malcolm
(c) Donalbain
(d) Macduff

Ans: (b) Malcolm

40. Donalbain fled to—
(a) England
(b) Scotland
(c) Ireland
(d) Finland

Ans: (c) Ireland

41. According to Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s nature was full of—
(a) Simplicity
(b) Selfishness
(c) Cruelty
(d) Milk of human kindness

Ans: (d) Milk of human kindness

42. Macbeth wanted to say, but could not say—
(a) Amen
(b) God bless me
(c) Murder
(d) All of these

Ans: (a) Amen

43. Who pushed Macbeth to murder Duncan?
(a) The witches
(b) Lady Macbeth
(c) Banquo
(d) Macduff

Ans: (b) Lady Macbeth

44. The name of Macbeth castle is –
(a) Invernes
(b) Inferno
(c) Dunsinane
(d) Inverness

Ans: (d) Inverness

45. Duncan’s younger son was—
(a) Malcolm
(b) Fleance
(c) Donalbain
(d) Macduff

Ans: (c) Donalbain

46. People suspected the murder on—
(a) Malcolm
(b) Macbeth
(c) Banquo
(d) Macduff

Ans: (b) Macbeth

47. The dagger Macbeth saw was a—
(a) Hallucination
(b) Illusion
(c) Somnambulism
(d) All of these

Ans: (a) Hallucination

48. King Duncan came to Macbeth’s castle with—
(a) Malcolm and Donalbain
(b) Many attendants
(c) Numerous thanes
(d) All of these

Ans: (d) All of these

49. Lady Macbeth took the daggers and—
(a) Washed it
(b) Stained the cheeks of the grooms
(c) Struck Duncan once more
(d) washed it

Ans: (b) Stained the cheeks of the grooms

50. After leaving the witches’ cave, Macbeth heard that Macduff had fled to—
(a) England
(b) Ireland
(c) Thailand
(d) Scotland

Ans: (a) England

51. Macduff was the Thane of—
(a) Scotland
(b) England
(c) Ireland
(d) Finland

Ans: (a) Scotland

52. Lady Macbeth suffered from-
(a) cancer
(b) kidney failure
(c) somnambulism
(d) nervous breakdown

Ans: (c) somnambulism

53. Somnambulism means-
(a) suicide
(b) regicide
(c) sleep-walking
(d) sleep-speaking

Ans: (c) sleep-walking

54. Lady Macbeth died because of—
(a) somnambulism
(b) conspiracy
(c) suicide
(d) regicide

Ans: (c) suicide

55. Banquo’s son was—
(a) Macduff
(b) Donalbain
(c) Fleance
(d) Malcolm

Ans: (c) Fleance

56. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth arranged a—
(a) a dance programme
(b) a play
(c) a picnic
(d) a banquet

Ans: (d) a banquet

57. The hired killers murdered—
(a) only Banquo
(b) both Banquo and Fleance
(c) only Fleance
(d) neither Banquo nor Fleance

Ans: (a) only Banquo

58. At the banquet, Macbeth saw—
(a) the real Banquo
(b) Banquo with Fleance
(c) the real Fleance
(d) the ghost of Banquo

Ans: (d) The ghost of Banquo

59. The third spirit looked like a crowned child holding a—
(a) a flower in his hand
(b) a tree in his hand
(c) a stick in his hand
(d) a crown in his hand

Ans: (b) a tree in his hand

60. Macduff was –
(a) Thane of Fife
(b) Thane of Cawdor
(c) Brother of Donailbain
(d) Brother of Duncan

Ans: (a) Thane of Fife