Macbeth Act 1 Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. In asking the spirits to “unsex me here,” what change does Lady Macbeth seek?
She wants to become invisible to the guards during Duncan’s visit.
She wants to disguise herself as a male servant so she can enter Duncan’s chamber.
She wants to be stripped of compassion and filled with the resolve she associates with cruelty.
She wants to abandon Macbeth and claim the Scottish crown independently.
2. Macbeth concludes, “False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” What strategy is he accepting?
He will present a loyal appearance while hiding his murderous intention.
He will confess his ambition while concealing Lady Macbeth’s role.
He will pretend to reject the crown after Duncan voluntarily gives it to him.
He will mislead the witches by acting as if he has forgotten their prophecy.
3. What plan do the three witches make in the opening scene?
They will gather at Forres to witness Duncan choose his successor.
They will enter Duncan’s castle before the Scottish army returns.
They will warn Banquo that Macdonwald is planning another rebellion.
They will meet again after the battle and encounter Macbeth upon the heath.
4. Which consideration does Macbeth NOT cite while debating whether to kill Duncan in Act 1, Scene 7?
Violent actions can return to punish the person who begins them.
Duncan has formally named Macbeth as the next heir to the throne.
As Duncan’s host, Macbeth should protect him rather than kill him.
Duncan’s virtues will make the murder appear especially terrible.
5. When Macbeth says he will go no further with the plan, how does Lady Macbeth chiefly challenge him?
She claims Banquo has already revealed their ambitions to Duncan.
She argues that the witches will punish them unless they act that night.
She questions his courage and manhood and contrasts his retreat with his earlier ambition.
She offers to kill Duncan without Macbeth’s knowledge or involvement.
6. Banquo warns that the “instruments of darkness” may tell small truths in order to do what?
Persuade honorable people to withdraw completely from public life
Win trust and later lead people toward serious harm
Prove that every supernatural prediction has a harmless explanation
Cause Duncan to punish Macbeth before any prophecy can be fulfilled
7. Duncan describes Macbeth’s castle as having a pleasant setting while the audience knows murder is being considered inside. Which dramatic technique is most clearly at work?
Comic relief, because Duncan’s praise interrupts the tragedy with humor
Dramatic irony, because the audience understands a danger that Duncan does not
A flashback, because Duncan’s arrival recreates an earlier visit to the castle
A soliloquy, because Duncan privately reveals thoughts unheard by other characters
8. Which scene-and-event pairing is accurate?
Act 1, Scene 2 — The witches greet Macbeth and Banquo on the heath.
Act 1, Scene 3 — Lady Macbeth reads her husband’s letter about the prophecy.
Act 1, Scene 6 — Lady Macbeth welcomes Duncan while concealing the plot against him.
Act 1, Scene 5 — Duncan arrives at Inverness and praises the castle’s air.
9. Which announcement creates a new political obstacle to Macbeth’s hopes of becoming king?
Banquo is appointed Thane of Cawdor.
Donalbain is placed in command of the Scottish army.
Malcolm is named Prince of Cumberland.
Macduff is declared Duncan’s closest relative.
10. Banquo remarks that Macbeth’s “new honours” resemble strange garments that do not yet fit. What does this clothing image suggest?
Macbeth’s battle armor has been damaged and must be replaced at Forres.
The former Thane of Cawdor wore ceremonial clothes that now belong to Malcolm.
Banquo suspects Macbeth has physically disguised himself to meet the witches.
Macbeth’s new title feels unfamiliar and not yet naturally his own.
11. Which set accurately summarizes the witches’ greetings to Macbeth?
Thane of Cawdor, Prince of Cumberland, and future father of kings
Thane of Fife, savior of Scotland, and future king
Thane of Glamis, conqueror of Norway, and Duncan’s chosen heir
Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and future king
12. According to the wounded captain, what has Macbeth done in battle?
He has negotiated Macdonwald’s surrender before confronting the Norwegian king.
He has rescued Malcolm after Banquo is injured by the Norwegian forces.
He has captured the Thane of Cawdor but allowed Macdonwald to escape.
He has defeated Macdonwald and then helped repel the Norwegian attack.
13. Why does Duncan order that Macbeth receive the title Thane of Cawdor?
The previous thane died while fighting loyally beside Macbeth.
The previous thane betrayed Scotland by supporting the enemy.
Macbeth inherited the title through his family’s connection to Duncan.
The witches advised Duncan to reward Macbeth with the title.
14. After learning that he is Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth says the supernatural message “cannot be ill, cannot be good.” What does this reaction reveal?
He is torn between the prophecy’s promising fulfillment and the frightening thoughts it awakens.
He believes the title is good but is certain the prediction of kingship is a deliberate lie.
He wants Banquo to accept the prophecy because he has no interest in becoming king.
He thinks Duncan’s messengers have misunderstood which man the witches addressed.
15. After reading Macbeth’s letter, what does Lady Macbeth fear about her husband’s nature?
He is too full of kindness to take the quickest ruthless path to power.
He is too frightened of battle to defend a crown after gaining it.
He is too impatient to wait for her help in carrying out the prophecy.
He is too loyal to Banquo to believe anything the witches have said.
16. Which sequence best matches the murder plan formed at the end of Act 1?
Lady Macbeth will drug Duncan’s chamberlains; Macbeth will kill Duncan; evidence will be used to blame the chamberlains.
Macbeth will challenge Duncan publicly; Lady Macbeth will hide the crown; Banquo will be blamed for the dispute.
Lady Macbeth will dismiss Duncan’s guards; Macbeth will poison Malcolm; the witches will conceal Duncan’s body.
Macbeth will drug Duncan; Lady Macbeth will kill the chamberlains; Macduff will be framed with Macbeth’s sword.