1. What characters are involved in this soliloquy?
The soliloquy is spoken by Lady Macbeth, the wife of Macbeth. She seeks to murder Duncan as her husband is in line for the throne.
2. Why does Lady Macbeth feel the urge to kill Duncan?
Lady Macbeth received a letter from her husband, explaining the recent events with the Three Weird Sisters, whom foretold him of a future he had in the throne. She felt unable to be patient and wait for the title to come to her, instead deciding she must seek and work for the title and gain it as soon as possible. If her husband were to become king, she would be queen and therefore have much more power than she does.
3. What is her husbands title?
Her husband is thane of Glamis.
4. Lady Macbeth is a young lady in a time where she had to stick to doing what the society expected. Name a woman in today's society who has been forced to act in a manner that the society expects.
There are many answers to this question, here is an example:
The Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) and Miley Cyrus.
5. Rewrite the soliloquy in your own words.
Refer to the translation of the soliloquy.
6. Name and define three poetic devices used in the dialogue.
Metaphor- A figure of speech when one thing is described as another.
Foreshadow- An author hinting at something ahead.
Aside- An actors speech that is directed to the audience rather than other characters. It is used to tell the audience how the character is feeling.
7. What did this act foreshadow?
This act foreshadowed the death of Duncan and the possible derangement of Lady Macbeth if she follows through on the plans she has made.
8. What is the significance of Lady Macbeth's soliloquy in the play?
Lady Macbeth's soliloquy gives the audience an insight the her character that without it, would create confusion in the audience. The Soliloquy gives the audience an idea of her goals, her character traits and perhaps foreshadow what will happen in the future. The text shows the audience just how mentally deranged she is and just how far she will go to complete the goal of becoming Queen. It also gives the audience the idea that perhaps Macbeth isn't a big decision maker in the relationship, she manipulates him to do what she pleases, no matter what the consequences could be.
9. What do the lines: 'Come thick night, and pall the in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes, nor the heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, to cry 'Hold, hold!' suggest about her psychological state?
This line suggests that she is perhaps weaker than she lets on. She knows deep down she wont be able to cope with the mental consequences that killing the king will leave her with. She knows just how evil the crime she plans to commit is, and believes that the heavenly divines will punish her if she does what she wants to do and the lord sees her.
10. How does Lady Macbeth see her role in Macbeth's life?
Lady Macbeth feels that if she doesn't act like the 'manly' one in Macbeth's life, he will not go forward and do what is needed to become King and truly be the best he can be. She knows she is able to manipulate him with her womanly powers, such as beauty and her simple presence, and therefore is able to bend him to her will.
11. Highlight any words you do not understand and further research and define them.
This answer can vary based on your vocabulary. To find the answers, you can find them at dictionary.com.
The soliloquy is spoken by Lady Macbeth, the wife of Macbeth. She seeks to murder Duncan as her husband is in line for the throne.
2. Why does Lady Macbeth feel the urge to kill Duncan?
Lady Macbeth received a letter from her husband, explaining the recent events with the Three Weird Sisters, whom foretold him of a future he had in the throne. She felt unable to be patient and wait for the title to come to her, instead deciding she must seek and work for the title and gain it as soon as possible. If her husband were to become king, she would be queen and therefore have much more power than she does.
3. What is her husbands title?
Her husband is thane of Glamis.
4. Lady Macbeth is a young lady in a time where she had to stick to doing what the society expected. Name a woman in today's society who has been forced to act in a manner that the society expects.
There are many answers to this question, here is an example:
The Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) and Miley Cyrus.
5. Rewrite the soliloquy in your own words.
Refer to the translation of the soliloquy.
6. Name and define three poetic devices used in the dialogue.
Metaphor- A figure of speech when one thing is described as another.
Foreshadow- An author hinting at something ahead.
Aside- An actors speech that is directed to the audience rather than other characters. It is used to tell the audience how the character is feeling.
7. What did this act foreshadow?
This act foreshadowed the death of Duncan and the possible derangement of Lady Macbeth if she follows through on the plans she has made.
8. What is the significance of Lady Macbeth's soliloquy in the play?
Lady Macbeth's soliloquy gives the audience an insight the her character that without it, would create confusion in the audience. The Soliloquy gives the audience an idea of her goals, her character traits and perhaps foreshadow what will happen in the future. The text shows the audience just how mentally deranged she is and just how far she will go to complete the goal of becoming Queen. It also gives the audience the idea that perhaps Macbeth isn't a big decision maker in the relationship, she manipulates him to do what she pleases, no matter what the consequences could be.
9. What do the lines: 'Come thick night, and pall the in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes, nor the heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, to cry 'Hold, hold!' suggest about her psychological state?
This line suggests that she is perhaps weaker than she lets on. She knows deep down she wont be able to cope with the mental consequences that killing the king will leave her with. She knows just how evil the crime she plans to commit is, and believes that the heavenly divines will punish her if she does what she wants to do and the lord sees her.
10. How does Lady Macbeth see her role in Macbeth's life?
Lady Macbeth feels that if she doesn't act like the 'manly' one in Macbeth's life, he will not go forward and do what is needed to become King and truly be the best he can be. She knows she is able to manipulate him with her womanly powers, such as beauty and her simple presence, and therefore is able to bend him to her will.
11. Highlight any words you do not understand and further research and define them.
This answer can vary based on your vocabulary. To find the answers, you can find them at dictionary.com.