Act I: Scene 5

Multiple Choice Questions

1 Who are the "weird

sisters" that Lady c) DEncourage him to wait for his destiny to
Macbeth is referring to in the first line of unfold
the scene? d) OWarn him of impending danger
a) The three witches
D
7. What news does the messenger bring to
h) OThe king's messengers Lady Macbeth?
c) Lady Macbeth's ladies-in-waiting
O
sisters a) DMacbeth has changed his mind
d) DLady Macbeth's their castle
b) OKing Duncan is coming to
c) DThe witches have been captured
2. What is Lady Macbeth reading at the plans
beginning of the scene?
d) OBanquo has discovered their
OA letter from her husband,
Macbeth react to the news
a) 8. How does Lady Macbeth
b) OA letter from King Duncan of Duncan's arrival?
c) DA letter fromthe witches a) Dshe is excited and eager toprepare
d) DAletter from Banquo b) DShe is nervous and
worried

c) DShe is angry and

frustrated
3. Which title has Macbeth beengiven d) She is surprised and confused
O
recently?
the spirits to
a) DThane of Glamis 9. What does Lady Macbeth ask
b) OThane of Cawdor do to her?
cary out the
c) OKing of Scotland a) D Give her the strength to
d) ODuke of Inverness murder
Make her more
D intelligent and cunninger
about b) future
4. How does Lady Macbeth
feel c) DGrant her the power to see the
cruelty and remove her
Macbeth's ambition? d) OFill her with
a) She supports it fully compassion
b) Dshe thinks it is too much want the nighbt to
c) O
She is indifferent to it 10. What does Lady Macbeth
Seene 5?
d) She thinks it is not enough be filled with in Act I,
a) Peace and tranquillity
D
5. What does Lady Macbeth fear about b) OCelebration and joy
DDarkness and smoke
Macbeth's nature? c)
d) OFear and uncertainty
a) DHe is too ambitious
b) DHe is too kind and gentle Macbeth greet her
indecisive 11. How does Lady
C) DHe is too weak and scene?
cruel husband upon his arrival in this
d) DHe is too uthless and
when a) OWith anger and disappointment
Macbeth want to do praise
6 Lady b) OWith warmth and
What does suspicion
Macbeth arrives? c) OWith caution and detachment
and
murder Duncan d) OWith indifference
a) DConvince him to accomplishments
O)UPraise him for his recent

53
 Act I: Scene 5

12. What does Macbeth tell Lady Macheth a) So she won't feel guilty about killing
O
about Duncan's plans? Duncan
a) ODuncan plans to stay for the night b) OSoshe can grieve for Duncan's death
b) ODuncan plans to stay for aweek c) DSo she can confess to the murder
c) O Duncan plans to leave immediately d) O So she can apologise to Duncan's family
d) ODuncan plans to make Macbeth his heir
19. What does Lady Macbeth want the night to
13. What does Lady Macbeth advise Macbeth do?
to do in preparation for Duncan's arrival? a) D Bring her peace
a) Dconfess his murderous thoughts to Duncan b) OHide her from Duncan
b) OPrepare for battle against Duncan's forces c) DMake her feel safe
c) DAct innocent and welcoming, hide his true d) DCover her in darkness
intentions
d) DFlee the castle and abandon their plans 20. What does Lady Macbeth say she will do
when Macbeth arrives in Act I, Scene 52
14. Whodoes Lady Macbeth say will handle a) D
Scold him for his weakness
the night's *great business" in this scene? b) OPour her spirits in his ear
a) DMacbeth c) OEmbrace him lovingly
b) Herself d) OEncourage him to be patient
c) O
The witches
d) DTheir servants 21. How does Lady Macbeth describe
15. How does Macbeth respond to Macbeth's ambition?
Lady a) OStrong and unstoppable
Macbeth's plan? b) DWeak and uncertain
a) DHe agrees and supports her
b) DHe hesitates and c) DPresent but not ruthless
expresses concern enough
c) OHe refuses and d) OMisguided and dangerous
suggests another plan
d) OHe remains silent and listens
22. What does Lady Macbeth ask the
night to
16. What does Lady hide from her in Act I,Scene $?
Macbeth compare a) DHer true intentions
Macbeth's face to?
a) DA mask b) DThe
b) DA mirror
consequences of her actions
c) DThe wound her knife
makes
c) DA book d) DThe approach of King
d) OApainting Duncan
23. How does Lady
17. What does Lady Macbeth feel about
Macbeth mean Macbeth's future in Act I?
says, "to alter favour ever is to when she a) O She is
uncertain and fearful
a) fear"? b) OShe is
DChanging one's appearance causes fear confident and
b)
DChanging one's mind shows weakness c) Dshe is hopeful but excited
c) DShowing fear in one's face is d) O She is cautious
d) OHiding one's true feelings is dangerous indifferent and uninterested
necessary 24. What does Lady
18. Why does Lady me here"?Macbeth mean by "unsex
to stop up the Macbeth want the spirits a) DShe wants to become a man
remorse"?
access and passage to b) OShe wants to lose her
feminine qualities
 Act I: Scene 5

to be free from societal d) OBold and determined

DShe wants
expectations
wants to becone more powerful
d) OShe 26. What does Lady Macbeth mean by the
fatal entrance of Duncan"?
messenger describe
25. How does the a) DDuncan's arrival at the castle
Macbeth's approach to the castle in Act I? b) O
Duncan's impending death
deliberate
a) D Slow and c) DDuncan's betrayal of Macbeth
b) O Fast and breathless d) DDuncan's plan to escape the castle
uncertain
c) DHesitant and

Logical Reasoning Questions

Macbeth refers to Macbeth as somebody who is too full o' the

1. In Act I, Scene 5 of Macbeth, Lady
because
milk of human kindness"

because
Macbeth, Lady Macbeth calls upon the spirits to unsex" her
2. In Act I, Scene 5 of

men may read strange

matters" because
$as a book where
3. Lady Macbeth savs Macbeth's face is

Essay-type Questions
A

Short Essay-type Questions

reveal?
the beginning of the scene? And what does the letter
I. Who is reading the letter in

Macbeth feel about the news in the letter?

bo How does Lady
 Act I: Scene 5

3. What does Lady Macbeth fear about Macbeth's nature?

4. What does Lady

Macbeth ask the spirits to do for her?

5. In Act I, Scene 5,
who interrupts Lady
Macbeth's soliloquy?

6. In Act I,
Scene 5, what plan does Lady
Macbeth propose to Macbeth?
 Act I: Scene 5

Long Essay-type Questions

Act I. Scene 5, what news does the Messenger bring?

1. In

news?
2. How does Lady Macbeth react to the Messenger's

to Lady Macbeth's plan?

3. InAct I, Scene 5, how does Macbeth respond
 ANSWERS

eligible candidate, rather than being 12. a) Duncan plans to stay for the night
most
the
lo right. 13. c) Act innocent andwelcoming, hide his true
deteminedbybirth intentions
notes that he wants to establish bis 14. b)Herself
Duncanalso
upon Maalcolm
andthat be will be honoured 15. a) He agrees and supports her
estate nobleness, like stars, which will 16. c) Abook
with signs of is dangerous
all those who deserve it. This Suggests 17. c) Showing fear in one's face killing Duncan
shine on create a systen of reward guilty about
Duncan wants to 18. a) So she won't feel
that
those who have
proven their loyalty and 19. d) Cover her in darkness
for ear
kingdom. 20. b) Pour her spirits in his
serviceto the ruthless enough
that he plans to 21. c) Present but not
Additionally, Duncan mentions thank him for 22, c) The wound her
knife makes
Inverness to excited
ieit Macbeth's castle, him further 23. b) She is confident and qualities
kingdom and to bind to lose her feminine
his service to the because it 24. b) She wants
visit is significant breathless
to his cause. This events that will lead to 25. b)Fast and
impendingdeath
sets in motion the 26. b) Duncan's
Macbeth's eventual downfall.

Duncan's plan for his kingdom Logical Reasoning

In concusion, transitionof
after his death is to ensure a smooth
system of rewards and (
power and to
establish a
served the ambitious, herhusbandis too kind
who have although be able to
recognition for those 1. will not
faithfully. However, his visit to hearted and gentle
and thus,
kingdom his decision to name commitsuch a
deed.
Macbeth's castle and and courageous
will have
unintended
plot requires her to be brave associated
Malcolm as his heir 2. her attributes commonly
to his tragic
leading and these are spirits to
consequences, ultimately She calls upon the not hinder
with masculinity.
pity so that it does
demise. make her devoid of
her heinous actions.
reveal his inner
Macbeth's facial expressions
3. thoughts andemotions.
ACT I

SCENE5
Essay-type
Multiple Choice A
Short Essay-type
the
Macbeth is readng the letter in was
1. a) The three
witches I. Lady Scene 5. The letter
husband, Macbeth
ber beginning of Act I, contains details of his
from and it
2. a) A letter written by Macbeth, witches. In the letter,
3. b) Thane of Cawdor enough meeting with the
three
become
4. d) She thinks it is
not prophecy that he will
Macbeth shares the an
5. b) He is too kind and gentle Macbeth sces this as
him to murder Duncan king, and Lady ambitions for power.
6. a) Convince to their castle opportunity to fulfil her own
King Duncan is coming her
I. b) and eager to
prepare begins plotting with
8 a) She is excited remove her She immediately will become king, no
Fill her with cruelty and husband to ensure that he
9. d) matter the consequences.
compassion
10. c) Darkness and smoke
11. b)With warmth and praise
275
 ANSWERS

2. Lady Macbeth is
upon reading theinitially
letter
excited and enthusiastic weakness and take the
letter reveals the from her husband. The necessary actions to
prophecies of the become king.
Macbeth' s reaction
that he has been
to them, as witches and
well as the news 4. Lady Macbeth calls upon the
a title named as the Thane of her and fill her with spirits to "unsex"
previously Cawdor,
held by a traitor who has cruelty. She is preparing
herself for the task of persuading
sentenced to
the news of death. Lady Macbeth is thrilled by been
Macbeth, to
her husband.
murder King
Macbeth's newfound title and the the witches' prophecy thatDuncan order to fulfil
in
possibility him becoming king. She sees this as
an
of king. Lady Macbeth is awareMacbeth will become
opportunity for herself to gain power and
status and
that her husband is
hesitant and full of doubt about the idea of
wants to help her husband the king., and she fears that his killing
ambition. achieve bis "nature" his
innate sense of kindness and
However, her morality
prevent him from carrying out the deed. will
excitement soon turns to concerm as
she begins to doubt therefore asks the spirits to take away She
crown. She fears thatMacbeth' s ability to seize the
he is too femininity and replace her natural her
lacks the necessary kind-hearted and and mercywith "direst compassion
seize the crown by ruthlessness and cunning to cruelty".
force. Lady Macbeth Lady Macbeth's request for the
recognises that Macbeth has ambition but is not her is spirits to
significant, as it reflects the "unsex"
willing to do what is necessary
goals. She is determined to help tohimachieve his expectations of Shakespeare's time. Womengender
this obstacle and become overcome traditionally seen as gentle. nurturing, wereand
believes he is destined to be.
the King that she submissive, whereas men were expected to be
strong,aggressive, and
3. Lady Macbeth
expresses her fear that Macbeth's Macbeth's request to be unsexeddominant. Lady
is a rejection of
nature is too kind and lacks the these gender roles and an
necessary assertion of her own
ruthlessness to take the necessary actions to agency and power. By calling on the spirits to
become king. She believes that Macbeth is too make her more like a man, she is
full of the milk of human asking to be liberated from the essentially
kindness" and that he
would be too hesitant to act on his
constraints
gender and allowed to exercise her full of her
become king. She recognises that he is
ambition to
However, her desire for power potential. and
but she worries that he ambitious,
does not have the willingness to resort to violence and treacheryherto
necessary qualities to fulfil his ambition. Lady achieve her goals ultimately lead to her downfall.
Macbeth understands that if Macbeth is to 5. In Act 1, Scene 5 of
become king, he must be willing to do whatever Macbeth, a Messenger
it takes, even if it means
interrupts Lady Macbeth's soliloquy. Lady
resorting to treachery and Macbeth is in the midst of a powerful speech,
violence. calling upon evil spirits to unsex her and fill her
Lady Macbeth fears that Macbeth will not be able with cruelty, when the
scene.
Messenger enters the
The Messenger brings the news that
to put aside his conscience and King
commit the Duncan will be aTiving at their castle that very
ruthless acts necessary to gain and maintain
power. She is willing to do whatever it takes to night. Lady Macbeth is initially sceptical of the
help him achieve his goals, even if it Messenger's news and questions whether he is
means mistaken. However, when the
manipulating him or committing immoral acts Messenger
confirms the news, Lady Macbeth quickly shifts
herself. She sees Macbeth's ambition as a
her focus to preparing for the arrivalof the king.
potential weakness and believes that it is her
responsibility to help him overcome this The interruption of Lady Macbeth's soliloquy by
the Messenger serves to move the plot forward
and highlight the urgency of the situation. It also

276
 ANSWERS

reveals Lady Macbeth's ability to quickly adapt This news is significant because it sets in motion
changing circumstances and her willingness to the events that will lead to the murder of King
to Duncan. Lady Macbeth sees this as
an

takeactionto achieve her goals. The interruption

impending arrival opportunity to fulfil her own and her husband's
also serves as a reminder of the
importance of Lady ambition to seize the throne. She immediately
of King Duncan, and the visit as
begins plotting to kill the King. seeing his
Macbeth's planto murder him in order to secure is vulnerable and
husband. a chance to strike while he
the throne for her unprotected.
Macbeth, Lady Macbeth
6 In Act 1, Scene 5of tension and
The arrival of the King also adds knows that
to ensure that he
proposes a plan to her husband Messenger suspense to the play, as the
audience
becomes king. After learning from the them that Macbeth plans to kill him, but the
other characters
staying with impending arrival
that King Duncan will be are unaware of this plan. The
realises that this is their of urgency and
night, Lady Macbeth seize the of the King heightens the sense Lady Macbeth.
Macbeth to
chance to act. She urges raises the stakes for Macbeth
and
night. She
opportunity and kill Duncan that very
murder on the news of King Duncan's
they can easily blame the In conclusion, the in the play.
says that
be drunk and passed impending arrival is a turning point and Lady
king's attendants, who will Macbeth
feast they plan to have. marking the beginning of
out from the celebratory and coruption
determined to do whatever it Macbeth's descent into darkness
Lady Macbeth is as they pursue their ambition at any cost.
and she manipulates
takes to make Macbeth king, Macbeth, a Messenger arrives
words. Act 1, Scene5 of
him with her persuasive 2. In
Macbeth. The Messenger
cunning and shows her to deliver news to Lady arriving that
Lady Macbeth's plan is She is willing to use informs her that the King
willbe
ambition and ruthlessness. is initially sceptical,
her goals, night, and Lady MacbethMessenger's master is
necessary to achieve
any means deception. Her plan also questioning whether the them of
including murder and would have informed
make with the King and
to take charge and However, the Messenger
reveals her willingness the visit in advance.
lead in plotting the indeed coming, and that he
decisions, as she takes the insists that the King is
Macbeth on what to do. breath irom delivering
the
murder and instructs for the rest of is almost out of
sets the stage
Lady Macbeth's plan
beginning of the tragic events
message.
On
play, as it is the to the uews is mixed.
the Lady Macbeth's reaction
that willunfold. at the prospect of the
the one hand, she is thrilled opportunity for her
king's visit, as it presents an
their plan to murder
Long Essay-type and her husband to carry out
deliver She sees this as a chance
Messenger
arrives to him and seize the throne.
1. In Act 1, Scene 5, a Messenger informs and tultil her ambition,
Macbeth. The to achieve greatness hindered by her
news to Lady willbe arriving which she feels has been
King Duncan
Lady Macbeth that initially husband's supposed lack of
uthlessness.
castle that night. Lady Macbeth
at their asking he Macbeth also feels a
the news, On the other hand, Lady
questions the truth of or
be arriving alone knows that they
Messenger if the King will who accompny sense of anxiety and urgency. She
ofpeople carry out their plan,
with his retinue (group Messenger confins must act quickly if hey are to
may not have
an important
person). The ofhis and she worries that her husband
andthat one through with the
coming
that the King is indeed arrived ahead of him, the necessary resolve to follow demeanour
messengers has already exhaustion in order to murder. She urges him to adopt a false
having nearly died from
deliver the news.
ANSWERS
of innocence and
arms,while secretlywelcome the King with open
plotting his demise.
In
conclusion, Lady Macbeth's reaction to the
Messenger's news is a
anxiety, and determination.mixture
She
of
sees
excitement,
the King's
Visit as a pivotal moment in her
quest for power, and she is and her busband's
it takes to willing to do whatever
achieve their goals.
3. Lady Macbeth proposes a
assassinate King Duncan inplan to Macbeth to
order to fulfil the
witches prophecy that Macbeth
king. After Lady Macbeth urges will become
like the innocent
flower, but be
Macbeth to look
it" and assures him the serpent under
that she will take care of the
details of the murder, Macbeth
and expresses his initially hesitates
reservations about the plan.
Macbeth is torn
between his
loyalty to the king. He ambition and his
has been a good and acknowledges that Duncan
virtuous King, and that his
death would be a terrible
initial response to Lady betrayal. Macbeth's
that they will proceed noMacbeth's plan is to say
further in this business.
indicating that he has doubts
and ethics of what they are about the morality
says that Duncan has considering
"honoured me of
doing. He
that he has no real late" and
reason to want to harm him.
However, Lady Macbeth does not give up
She
questions Macbeth's manhood, accusingeasily.
of being too weak him
and
on his desires. She cowardly to follow through
suggests that he ischallenges
his love for her and
not truly
shared ambition. Macbeth committed to their
Lady Macbeth's ultimately succumbs to
insistence and agrees to go
through with the plan,
clearly conflicted. even though he is still

Macbeth's response to Lady Macbeth's plan

highlights the internal struggle he is
as he
contemplates the murder of King
He is torn
experiencing
Duncan.
between his
and his loyalty to the ambition to become King
is swayed by Lady current King. Ultimately, he
own ambition, settingMacbeth's persuasion and his
the stage for the