Macbeth Act 1

Practice Quiz

1

“Yes; As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion.If I say sooth, I must report they wereAs cannons overcharged with double cracks;So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe.Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds,Or memorize another Golgotha,I cannot tell—But I am faint; my gashes cry for help.”

Answer

A. Speaker: The CaptainB. Speaking to: The KingC. What’s happening: The Captain is describing

how brave Macbeth was in battle

2

“Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more:By Sinel’s death I know I am Thane of Glamis;But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives,A prosperous gentleman; and to be KingStands not within the prospect of belief,No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whenceYou owe this strange intelligence?”

Answer

A. Speaker: MacbethB. Speaking to: The witchesC. What’s happening: Macbeth is asking the

witches to explain their predictions about his future

3

“Sons, kinsmen, thanes, And you whose places are the nearest, know,We will establish our estate upon Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafterThe Prince of Cumberland: which honor mustNot unaccompanied invest him only,But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shineOn all deservers.”

Answer

A. Speaker: King DuncanB. Speaking to: His men (Macbeth and Banquo)C. What’s happening: King Duncan has just

declared Malcolm as his heir

4

“Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt beWhat thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy

nature;It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindnessTo catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be

great,Art not without ambition, but withoutThe illness should attend it.”

Answer

A. Speaker: Lady MacbethB. Speaking to: Herself/The AudienceC. What’s happening: She has just read

Macbeth’s letter telling her the witches predictions, and she is afraid he is too weak to go through with it

5

“We will proceed no further in this business:He hath honored me of late, and I have boughtGolden opinions from all sorts of people,Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,Not cast aside so soon.”

Answer

A. Speaker: MacbethB. Speaking to: Lady MacbethC. What’s happening: Macbeth is having

second thoughts about killing Duncan now that he is there in his house.