Macbeth

The play Macbeth is based upon actual events, but only very loosely.
Shakespeare consulted a book called "Holinshed's Chronicles of England,
Scotland and Ireland" in order to find the real life Macbeth.
The real Macbeth ruled as king of Scotland from 1040-1057. He did overthrow
Duncan, but Duncan was a poor king to the point of being a tyrant and a
military failure. After his death, Macbeth was elected as king of Scotland.
The Elizabethan English could not comprehend a ruler whose power was not
hereditary, so they saw Macbeth as a tyrant. Lady Macbeth, whose real name
was Gruach, was a granddaughter of another king, Kenneth III. In fact,
Kenneth had been murdered by Duncan's grandfather. Malcom and Donald Ban
(Donalbain) were sons of Duncan and Malcom did become king after the death of
Macbeth. The character of Macduff is not based on any historical person.
Though Banquo is said to be the ancestor of James I, he is first introduced
in the 16th century.

After you have completed reading the excerpt of Macbeth

Please work in pairs to answer the following questions

1. What do the three witches prophesy concerning Banquo?

2. Read lines 65-68 on page 355. Analyze the comparison the three witches make between Banquo and Macbeth. What can the witches’ words predict for Macbeth?

3. Read lines 83-85 on page 356. Analyze how Banquo’s reaction to the witches differs from Macbeth’s reaction.

4. Analyze the metaphor in lines 108-109 on page 356. What do these lines suggest?

5. Read lines 130-142 on page 357. Analyze and explain the personal thoughts Macbeth reveals in this soliloquy (thoughts a character reveals on stage only to his audience).

6. Re-read lines 130-142. Why would Macbeth want to keep these thoughts private from the other characters?

7. Close read lines 143-147 on page 357. In this short dialogue, what characteristics of a tragedy do you recognize?