Natasha+El+Khoury's+Journal


 * __ Act One: Journal Response Questions: __**

 1. Who says, “Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair” and what does it mean? (Scene 1)

The witches say this line all together in a chorus. This line means that what seems fair is actually foul, and what seems foul is actually fair.

 2. What is the significance of Macbeth’s line: “So foul and fair a day I have not seen? (Scene 3)

He was saying how he has not seen a day like this. He was referring to the battles in which he and his best friend and fellow Captain Banquo had fought. The foulness referred to the viciousness of the fighting. The fairness referred to the victory of the forces of their King Duncan I.

 3. How does Banquo describe the witches? (Scene 3)

When Banquo first sees the witches he is confused about who they are and exactly what they are. He was still confused about who they were at the end and was questioning a lot.

4. What does Banquo mean when he says, “The instruments of darkness tell us truths,win us with honest trifles, only to betray’s in deepest consequence”? (Scene 3)

It basically means that there evil out there that tells us half-truths in order to get us to commit an even bigger evil or crime.

5. What reaction does Macbeth have when King Duncan names his eldest son Malcolm as the Prince of Cumberland? (Scene 4)

Macbeth started to question whether he really was going to become king and whether the witches had been right, but overall he felt more determined to be the king.

6. Lady Macbeth describes her husband’s character: “Yet do I fear he is too full o’ the milk of human kindness…” What does she mean? (Scene 5)

Lady Macbeth is saying that Macbeth is to kind and too much of a coward to be able to betray people to get to the point of being king of Scotland.

 7. Read carefully Lady Macbeth’s speech “Come your spirits…” Does it suggest a difference between Macbeth and his wife? (Scene 5)

Yes, Lady Macbeth is more demanding and determined to get what she wants while Macbeth thinks things through and is very cautious about what he is doing.

8. Read carefully Lady Macbeth’s speech “I have given suck…” What does this say about Lady Macbeth’s character? (Scene 7)

In this line that she says it makes her look not caring and determined. Not caring because she doesn’t care what people think or what happens as long as she gets what she wants and determined for always being determined to get what she wants and what she thinks is right or is good for her.

9. What does Macbeth say which suggests he has second thought about murdering Duncan? (Scene 7)

He says:

I am settled, and bend up

Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.

Away, and mock the time with fairest show:

False face must hide what the false heart doth know.

So basically he is saying:

 I have had enough and I am tired

Let’s get away from this show

What we know is what they don’t know

10. What does Macbeth mean when he says to Lady Macbeth: “Bring forth men-children only/For thy undaunted mettle should compose/Nothing but males.”? (Scene 7)

He is saying how if they have children they will more likely have male children then girls because his wife is a tough and strong woman.

Lady Macbeth is in charge in this relationship. She is in charge of all the decisions because she always believes she is right and Macbeth is more dependent on her.

 * __Act 2 Journal Response Questions __**

1. How does Shakespeare contrast the characters of Banquo and Macbeth in this scene? (Scene 1) Banquo is a good character and Macbeth is bad and this gives an interesting contrast with the decisions and opinions in this scene

2. Compare Lady Macbeth’s opening comments in this scene to Macbeth’s soliloquy. What can you say about the difference between the two characters? (Scene 2) Lady Macbeth is an ambitious character and she is trying to gain power. Macbeth is less confident and more obedient to Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth seems to want the throne more than Macbeth does.

3. Sleep is a very important image in the play. What is the significance of Macbeth saying, ‘Me thought I heard a voice cry, ‘Sleep no more: Macbeth does murder sleep’? (Scene 2) It is significant because he is saying if a person is guilty and they cannot sleep.

4. Why is it ironic that Macduff should say to Lady Macbeth, “O gentle lady/ ‘Tis not for you to hear what I can speak’? (Scene 3) It was ironic because Lady Macbeth did the murder and she is aware of it and he is not. He would have never thought she would have done the murder because back then they would never conceder a woman as murderer and Macduff also had respect for Lady Macbeth.

5. What is significant about the description of Duncan’s horses eating each other? (Scene 4) It is significant because back then they believed if a person is upset or something is wrong it will be reflected in the natural world and there will be chaos and bad stuff happening to the real world.

** Act 3 Journal Questions **

1. What does Banquo say at the beginning of this scene which suggests that he is suspicious of Macbeth? (Scene 1)

"and I fear, then played'st most foully for't"..... "may they not be my oracles as well".

2. What does Macbeth mean when he says, “We have scorched the snake, not killed it”? (Scene 2)

He feels anxious/ uncertain about the future - his plan is not completed, he has not sealed his fate as king, until Banquo and Pleance are dealt with.

3. What does Macbeth mean when he says, “Things bad begun, make strong themselves by ill.” (Scene 2).

He means that they will complete their evil deads properly after he kills Banquo + Fleance their hold on the throne will strengthen.

4. Why do you think Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo? In terms of the theme of this play, why is this apparition important? (Scene 4)

guilt, anxious - ghosts are a common imotif in the play.

5. Why does Hecate look angry? (Scene 5)

Hecate is angry because the witches spoke to macbeth without involving her.

6. Read Lennox’s speech. Is he suspicious of Macbeth? (Scene 6)

"did he not straight, in pious case, the two delingqueents tear "..... "and wisely done"


 * __Act 4 Journal Questions __**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">1. Why does Macbeth seek out the witches? (Scene 1)

==<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">He seeks out the witches because he is worried about the future, worried because fleelace escaped and he is worried about his plans. He is anxious about losing the throne because Banqoes sons are predicted to become king. ==

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">2. What three warnings do the apparitions give Macbeth? (Scene 1)

Third one is that Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnam wood comes to Dunsinane.
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px;">3. Why has Macduff fled to England? (Scene 1)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; line-height: 27px;">He says this because he had ungovernable lust and he is greedy.
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">5. How does Macduff react to the news that his wife, children and servants have been slaughtered? (Scene 3)