Macbeth+study+questions

Throughout the following weeks, we wil be reading //Macbeth// by William Shakespeare. You are expected to keep up with the play yourselves by answering these questions for homework. They will be checked every lesson and some will be done as a class and will provoke class discussions.

Act One, Scenes 1-3

 * 1) Why do you think Shakespeare chose to introduce the play with the witches? What effect does this have?
 * 2) Explain what you think is meant by the following: "Fair is foul, foul is fair." What language technique is used here? What could this possible be foreshadowing?
 * 3) What does the description of Macbeth tell us? What impression are you given?
 * 4) What do Duncan's comments suggest about his relationship with the Thane of Cawdor?
 * 5) Examining the introduction to the play, what hints are given to suggest that Macbeth is not in face as brave, noble and loyal as he appears?
 * 6) How necessary do you think the witches are to the plot? Were they not there, would the plot play out the same way? Why/why not?
 * 7) Anaysing Banquo's reaction to the witches' prophesy regarding Macbeth, what does he suggest about Macbeth's reaction?
 * 8) What is significant of his choice of the words 'fear' and 'fair' in this context?
 * 9) What does his challenge to the witches suggest about his character?
 * 10) Why does Banquo warn Macbeth about his reaction to the prophecies? What does this warning suggest about Banquo's understanding of Macbeth's character and ambitions?