Macbeth

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which literary device does this quote from Lady Macbeth best exemplify?

“Your face, my thane, is as a book where men / May read strange matters.” (Act I, Scene 5)

A) Simile

B) Symbolism

C) Aside

D) Allusion

2. What best describes Lady Macbeth’s attitude before Duncan’s murder?

A) Detached

B) Angry

C) Fearful

D) Determined

3. What device allows characters to share their thoughts aloud so the audience and sometimes one other character hear, but the other characters do not?

A) Simile

B) Symbolism

C) Aside

D) Allusion

4. How is this quote, said by Banquo, an example of foreshadowing?

“A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, / And yet I would not sleep.” (Act II)

A) Banquo is troubled and is later murdered by hired men.

B) Banquo feels that he is being called to kill the king.

C) Banquo hears the king’s summons but does not want to answer.

D) Banquo is tired and later will fall asleep when he does not want to.

5. Which of the following quotes most reveals Macbeth’s regret over killing Duncan?

A) “Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!”

B) “As they had seen me with these hangman's hands.”

C) “Who can be wise, amazed, temperate and furious…”

D) “I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?”

6. How does Macbeth react to seeing Banquo’s ghost?

A) He is more enraged than before.

B) He is afraid and rattled.

C) He has more determination.

D) He is suddenly physically ill.

7. How are Banquo and Macbeth most different?

A) Banquo is more ambitious than Macbeth.

B) Banquo is more guarded than Macbeth.

C) Macbeth is more ruthless than Banquo.

D) Macbeth is more timid than Banquo.

8. Which best describes how Macbeth faces Macduff in the final act?

A) Boastfully, then with apprehension

B) Uncertainly and fearfully

C) Giddily and without focus

D) Unknowingly, yet with precise focus

9. Which of the following best describes the tone of Lady Macbeth's monologue when she first hears of the witches' predictions?

A) Haltingly fearful

B) Hurriedly forgetful

C) Hopefully determined

D) Hauntingly sad

10. What can best be inferred about the reasons Macbeth murders?

A) He has demonstrated that he enjoys killing people, based on his profession and actions in his own home.

B) He only murders people for his wife and would not kill anyone if she did not come up with the ideas first.

C) He starts murdering because of advice from Banquo and the king, and then he meets the witches, who encourage more violence.

D) He wants power, and once he gains power, he tries to stop anyone who could take the power away.

11. What is the correct order of events?

A) Lady Macbeth dies; Macbeth dies; Malcolm becomes king; Macduff works with Malcolm.

B) Malcolm becomes king; Macbeth dies; Lady Macbeth dies; Macduff works with Malcolm.

C) Macbeth dies; Lady Macbeth dies; Macduff works with Malcolm; Malcolm becomes king.

D) Macduff works with Malcolm; Lady Macbeth dies; Macbeth dies; Malcolm becomes king.

12. Which literary device does this quote spoken by Macbeth best exemplify?

“We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it: / She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice / Remains in danger of her former tooth.” (Act III, Scene 2)

A) Simile

B) Symbolism

C) Direct address

D) Hyperbole

13. Which best explains how the witches affect Macbeth?

A) They help him become more contented.

B) They make him feel unimportant.

C) They drive him to consequential actions.

D) They lead him down a path of self-knowledge.

14. What is Macbeth's most fatal flaw?

A) Fear

B) Timidity

C) Laziness

D) Ambition

15. Which of the following best describes the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?

A) They are unable to communicate.

B) They listen supportively to each other.

C) They have similar goals.

D) They strive to always be together.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How does Lady Macbeth view women with regard to power and gender roles?

2. How are Banquo and Macbeth similar? Discuss points of comparison between the two.

3. How does Lady Macbeth change throughout the play?