Page 102 - DENG403_BRITISH_DRAMA

British Drama

Notes Three Witches, the Weird Sisters

The witches foresee Macbeth’s ascent to power and his defeat, as well as the succession of Banquo’s
line. Apparently without any real motive, their speech is full of paradox and equivocation. Although
the witches do not have much character per se, they are in many ways central to the plot and themes
of the play.
Hecate, Queen of the Witches

Some critics believe that her character was added to the play by a later playwright.

Self Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Duncan’s unsuspecting nature leaves him open to
(a) Macbeth’s betrayal
(b) Macbeth’s loyalty
(c) Macbeth’s guilt
(d) betrayal by his army.

2. Which of the following statements about Macbeth is incorrect?
(a) Macbeth is a general in the Duncan’s army
(b) Macbeth do deserve the adjective evil
(c) Macbeth is also named the Thane of Cawdor
(d) Macbeth is originally the Thane of Glamis.
3. Which of the following makes a difference between Macbeth and Banquo?
(a) Macbeth is a general in the army of Duncan while Banquo is not
(b) Macbeth is subject of one of the witches’ prophesies while Banquo is not
(c) Both are subject of one of the witches’ prophesies but Banquo does not act to
fulfill these prophesies
(d) Macbeth betrays the king while Banquo does not.

Fill in the blanks:

4. Duncan’s unsuspecting nature leaves him open to Macbeth’s ..........
5. After Duncan’s death, both malcom and Donalbain, Duncan’s sons fear for their
lives rightly and both ........ Scotland.
6. Macduff is a Scottish nobleman who questions Macbeth’s ......... and refuses to
recognize him as king.
7. Siward, Duncan’s brother, leads the English army against ..........
State whether the following statements are true or false:
8. The witches foresee Macbeth’s ascent to power and the killing of Banquo.
9. Some critics believe that the character of hecate was added to the play by a later
playwright.
10. Both before and after the regicide, it is Duncan’s particularly virtuous nature that
enhances Macbeth’s sense of guilt.

96 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY