Macbeth film
Questions
(0:00 start)
1. What is going on on the beach in the opening scene? Who are those three people? What’s with the hand, the dagger, the liquid pouring (what is that stuff, anyway?), and the spitting?
2. Describe the physical appearances of these three people.
3. Notice that the three appear to be walking on water. Have you ever heard about anyone walking on water?
(0:05 Main title appears)
4. What are the sounds that we hear as the opening credits roll?
5. Why are the people on horseback playing trumpets? Why is the soldier kneeling?
6. What do these people generally think about Macbeth right now? List some adjectives that they would use the describe Macbeth.
7. (0:09) What military standing do Macbeth and Banquo hold?
8. Why has the Thane of Cawdor been taken prisoner?
9. What does King Duncan decide to do about that?
(0:09 Macbeth appears for the first time; he is wearing a skull hood of chain mail.)
10. Why are they hanging those soldiers? What is their offense?
11. Describe the weather. What mood does the weather create?
12. Macbeth asks the three, “What are you?” What are they?
13. What do the three say? What is a thane?
14. (0:14) Why are Macbeth and Banquo joking and laughing at the witches’ predictions as they ride away?
15. Why is Macbeth having insomnia? Why are Banquo and he sleeping in a tent?
14. Compare and contrast how Macbeth and Banquo respond to that. Who is more interested in the witches’ prediction? Who takes the witches’ prediction more seriously?
(0:15 Ross approaches.)
15. Why are Macbeth and Banquo both stunned when Macbeth is dubbed “the Thane of Cawdor”? Why is this kind of creepy?
16. (0:16) What is that necklace-medallion-thing that Ross presents to Macbeth?
17. What is Banquo essentially saying as Macbeth is lacing up his shoes?
18. (0:17) Now Macbeth is clinging to the tent pole and looking rather sick. What is bothering him?
19. Why are all the men now just hanging around and waiting for Macbeth to speak and act? (Banquo is prodding Macbeth when he says, “Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure.”)
20. (0:19) For whom is the bell tolling? Why is he chained up, and why is everyone staring at him?
21. (0:20) Who are the two young men trailing King Duncan? Compare and contrast the two’s physical appearances.
(0:20) The red-haired lady is Lady Macbeth.
22. Where is Lady Macbeth?
23. Who wrote the letter that Lady Macbeth is currently reading?
24. Where does Lady Macbeth store the letter (this letter will appear again later in the film)?
25. Characterize King Duncan. Do people like him? What is the atmosphere of King Duncan’s court? Describe it.
26. (0:23) Why are there close-ups on Macbeth and Donalbain as Malcolm is dubbed the Prince of Cumberland? Why should they be upset that Malcolm is made Duncan’s heir?
27. What is Iverness?
28. Why does Macbeth run off right after the ceremony? Why are all the men calling to Macbeth as he leaves? Why does he brush them off?
29. Why is the former Thane of Cawdor’s body still hanging out in the open?
30. Characterize the reunion of the Macbeths. What does this say about the state of their marriage?
31. Note how Macbeth pets his dogs. What does this say about Macbeth’s nature right now?
32. What does Lady Macbeth mean by,
“
O, neverShall sun that morrow see!”?
What does it say about her character that she is laughing as she says that?
33. Currently, who wears the pants in the Macbeth family?
34. (0:26) Why are they cleaning house?
35. Why does Macbeth look at Lady Macbeth so pointedly as she hands him his dagger?
36. (3:27) Compare and contrast Lady Macbeth’s physical appearance with her thoughts.
37. Why is Lady Macbeth all dressed up?
(0:29 King Duncan and his Court arrive at Iverness; thunder crash. 0:30 Reception dinner at Iverness.)
38. What is Macbeth thinking about so hard? At this point, would you characterize Macbeth as an introvert or extrovert?
(0:31 The King toasts, “A health on this household.” Notice that the horses are frightened by the inclement weather and thus acting erratically.)
39. (0:32) Who is that blond kid who is singing?
40. (0:32) …still thinking… What are some reasons that Macbeth thinks that he should not kill the king?
41. Macbeth is soul-searching: “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other side.” What has he concluded about himself? Have we heard another character, earlier in the play, express this about Macbeth?
42. Characterize Lady Macbeth in this scene. Is she controlling, manipulative? Is she a sweet demure lady or a scary woman-beast? Why is she crying? Does she have power over Macbeth?
43. Who are those men who are knife dancing?
Notice that Lady Macbeth goads Macbeth into feeling defensive about his masculinity.
44. (0:36) For whom does Macbeth pour a goblet of wine? What does that interaction have to do with Macbeth again warming up to the plan to kill Duncan?
45. (0:36) What does Lady Macbeth say that she is going to do to the King’s two chambermen?
Notice how Lady Macbeth plots so single-mindedly and then dances so sweetly with her prey.
46. (0:37) Why is Macbeth backing away slowly from his wife at this point? What/how is he thinking about his wife right now? Why does he say that she should have only male children?
47. (0:38) What is Lady Macbeth doing?
Macbeth eavesdrops on Banquo and his son, Fleance.
48. Why does Macbeth go into the courtyard at that precise moment to talk to Banquo?
49. Macbeth says that he “thinks not” of the witches. Is that true?
50. (0:41) What is Macbeth looking at? Is it real?
52. (0:42) Why does Macbeth say that he was going, such an instrument that he was to use? “Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going; And such an instrument I was to use.”
53. (0:43) For whom is the bell tolling?
54. (0:43) Why are the King’s bodyguards asleep?
King Duncan dies looking at the thing for which he was murdered.
Notice how that Lady Macbeth consistently has to propel Macbeth into action through this next scene.
55. (0:47) Describe the Macbeths’ states of mind.
56. What does Macbeth mean, that he’s “murdered sleep”?
(Glamis [pronounced “Glams”] is Macbeth’s pre-Cawdor name.)
57. (0:49) What makes Lady Macbeth finally cry and give into post-murder stress?
58. What does Lady Macbeth intend to do with some of the blood that is all over Duncan’s bedclothes?
See how “every noise appalls” Macbeth, just as his wife was super-jumpy before Macbeth came down the stairs.
59. Why does Macbeth think that he can make the seas red?
60. (0:52) Who is that weird old man? What is that knocking?
(0:53 Macduff and Lennox enter.)
61. What does Lennox says about what happened during the night? Why is it ironic when Macbeth says, “It was a rough night.?
62. (0:54) Describe Macduff’s response to his discovery of Duncan’s body.
63. (0:58) Why does Macduff say that it is not for Lady Macbeth to know what has happened?
64. How does Macbeth respond to the furor? Is it a realistic response?
65. (1:00) There is a very pronounced pause and several Significant Looks are exchanged. (Malcolm looks at Macduff and then rushes into his father’s room; Macduff looks to his left, at Banquo; the camera pans down to Lady Macbeth’s horrified reaction; Ross watches Lady Macbeth being comforted by her servant, and then he looks at Macduff and Banquo, and then everyone looks directly at Macbeth.) What is so horrifying to them?
(Macbeth needs to shut up and stop “protesting too much” as they all troop up the stairs.)
66. Why does Lady Macbeth faint? Is her fainting fit real?
67. Why do Malcolm and Donalbain decide to leave instead of joining the others in the living room for a post-murder strate
gy session? Why do they choose to “let us not be dainty of leave-taking/But shift away”?
68. (1:02) Watch this interaction between Macduff and Ross. Why is ironic when Ross asks Macduff if it’s been confirmed who killed the King, and Macduff replies, “Those that Macbeth has slain.”? Why isn’t Macduff heading to Scone (“Scoon”) to watch Macbeth’s coronation? Why does Macduff get all huffy with Ross for Ross’ decision to attend the coronation?
69. (1:03) What does Banquo think as he assists in Macbeth’s coronation? Is he happy that Macbeth is being crowned? Is Ross?
(1:04) Watch Lady Macbeth’s (now the Queen’s) reaction to the chained bear. Notice how she will react to the chained beast later that night, at the coronation feast.
71. Why is Macbeth making such a big deal of getting Banquo’s agenda for the day (including who will be going with him), and for publicly inviting Banquo to the feast?
72. (1:05) What does Macbeth say to his Queen as they head up the stairs together? Notice that now he starts to do all the talking and make more of the decisions, and forcing her into a more passive role…she walks silently and passively, and he finally send her away.
73. (1:06) Why is Macbeth watching Banquo leave for a day of hunting?
74. (1:07) Who are these two men to whom Macbeth is speaking?
“My liege” means “My Lord,” “My King, etc.
75. (1:08) What does Macbeth say about masculinity and the nature of men?
76. Why does Macbeth say that he cannot publicly have Banquo executed?
77. Comment on Macbeth’s attitude overall toward the men during this scene.
The two murderers exit Macbeth’s room by a secret door.
78. (1:12) What happens during Macbeth’s nightmare? Who is that blond kid (again), jumping on the foot of Macbeth’s bed and wearing Macbeth’s militant and royal regalia? Notice that Banquo is symbolically wearing the outfit that Macbeth wore the night that he killed the king.
79. Why does the Queen advise her husband to forget what they’ve done to Duncan?
80. And what does he mean when he replies, “
We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it”?
81. Why is Macbeth envying Duncan?
Notice that Macbeth tells his wife not only of a plot that he’s conceived and put into action himself, but he also refuses to tell her what that plan actually is. Notice that she is frightened and taken aback by this.
82. Why does Macbeth call his wife “dearest chuck”? What does that mean? What does the use of that term signify in the Macbeth marriage?
(1:16) Macbeth wants night to come. He used to prefer day and sense the inherent evil nature of night.
83. (1:17) Who is the “Third Murderer”?
(1:19 Banquo dies. [Abrupt change of scene to the Coronation Fest.] Watch the Queen’s reaction to the chained bear. Does she still looked charmed and amused?)
84. (1:20) “Then comes my fit again.” What’s disturbing Macbeth?
(1:23) King Macbeth is now is a smoozing, oily politician; he has been forced out of his silent, brooding introversion. Macbeth says that his wife will sit in state at the main table, but that he, Macbeth, will “slum” and mingle with the mere nobility.
85. (1:23) Who is sitting at the chair that Macbeth is offered? Why is that extraordinary, to say the least?
86. Why does Ross say that Macbeth is sick?
87. Is the Queen successful in talking Macbeth out of his little delusional fit? Why is Macbeth cowering on the stairs?
Macbeth is bringing suspicion upon himself.
89. What does Lady Macbeth mean by,
“You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting,With most admired disorder.”
90. (1:26) Does Macbeth realize that the Court has not seen Banquo’s ghost?
91. (1:26) Why does the Queen throw everyone out, thus ending the coronation feast early?
92. (1:27) What does Macbeth mean by, “
There's not a one of them but in his house/I keep a servant fee'd.” Why does he do that?
The King and Queen go to bed and try to get some sleep, but they just recline and suffer insomnia.
93. Why does Macbeth say that it no longer matters what bad stuff he does?
(1:29 Lady Macbeth again looks out over the estate. How does she look?)
94. (1:30) Who are these women that Macbeth is visiting?
95. (1:31) Why are the women chanting and cooking? What are they making?
96. (1:32) Who are the witches’ “masters”?
97. (1:32) Why is Macbeth drinking that horrible stuff?
98. What are the three predictions/advice? What do these visions symbolize? Who is the baby? Who are those who are applauding? Who are sitting on the throne? What is the significance of the string of mirrors? To whom is Banquo gesturing, across the stream?
(1:36) Macbeth wakes, in the rain; the witches are gone.
99. (1:37) Why does the womanservant appear concerned about Lady Macbeth?
100. Macbeth’s dwindling courtiers meet and gossip. What do they say?
101. (1:37) Why does the Queen shriek, startled, when her womanservant approaches her?
102. Why has Macduff “fled to England”?
(1:30 The King examines his wife’s embroidery. Note how they no longer interact.)
103. What does Macbeth decide to do about Macduff’s desertion?
(1:39 The castle of Macduff, who is the Thane of Fife. Lady Macduff is talking to Ross.)
104. What is bothering Lady Macduff? Why does she say “
Father'd he is, and yet he's fatherless.?
105. What is strange about Ross’ departure? Notice his nod to the porter (doorman). Who enters as Ross departs?
106. What does Lady Macduff say about her husband?
107. (1:42) All hell is breaking loose. Who is screaming, and why? Who are the men who prance about Macduff’s house?
(1:44 The doctor and nurse are observing Lady Macbeth.)
108. Why is the Queen acting so oddly?
109. Why is the Queen washing her hands in pantomime? What is the “spot” to whom she refers? What experience is she reliving? Why is she reliving it?
110. Describe Lady Macbeth’s general mental and emotional state.
111. (1:49) The Physic-ian goes for a post-examination consult with Macbeth. Macbeth has hired the doctor for his wife, but then confesses, “Throw physics to the dogs…”
112. (1:50) Where is Lennox going, and why does he return his medallion? Why are Old Seward and Ross not very surprised that this has happened?
113. Think about the atmosphere of Duncan’s court. How was it different from the atmosphere of Macbeth’s court? What does that say about the two men and their leadership?
114. Explain the Significant Looks exchanged by the courtiers. What do those looks mean? What are those men doing in the very next shot?
Macbeth is increasingly reliant on the witches’ prediction.
1:52 Why does the camera focus on Ross after Macbeth gives Lennox’s title to Seward (Seyton)?
In England, at Malcolm’s army’s camp, Malcolm and Macduff chat about the state of Scotland.
115. Why does Ross say, “Alas, poor country”? What is Ross, formerly the doer of Macbeth’s dirty work, even doing in Malcolm’s camp, anyway?
116. What does Ross tell Macduff has happened to his home and family? Why, then, did Ross just say that the family Macduff was doing “well”?
117. What does Ross say that Macduff should use as antidote for his grief?
118. (1:56) How do Macduff and Ross describe masculinity here?
119. Why does Macduff feel guilty right now?
120. (1:57) Malcolm says that “Macbeth is ripe for shaking.” What does that mean?
(1:57) Birnam Wood is referred to for the first time by someone other than Macbeth or the witches.
Old Seward (Old Seyton) has taken Ross’ place as Macbeth’s chief courtier.
(1:58) Macbeth learns that the English army is marching toward Iverness to oust Macbeth from power.
121. (1:59) Macbeth scans his remaining courtiers and friends. What is he thinking about them?
122. Macbeth dons his armor and prepares for war. What is his state of mind?
123. (2:00) King Macbeth speaks to the Physic-ian as he leaves. What does Macbeth say about his hopes for his wife?
124. (2:00) The Physic-ian departs. Is he eager to return to Dunsinane?
(1:01) The armies are joining together to beat the enemy.
126. (2:02) What is Lady Macbeth reading? Why is she reading it? Look at its condition. How many times has she read it, do you think?
127. (2:03) Comment on the Queen’s mental and emotional health as she reads.
128. (2:04) A servant screams, and Macbeth isn’t frightened by the commotion. Why has Macbeth
“almost forgot the taste of fears”?
129. Why was the servant screaming, anyway?
130. How does Lady Macbeth die?
131. Was Lady Macbeth’s death natural, accidental, homicidal, suicidal?
132. How/when is the Queen’s corpse cleaned up and disposed of?
133. Immediately after he learns of his wife’s death, Macbeth says,
“
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,Creeps in this petty pace from day to dayTo the last syllable of recorded time,And all our yesterdays have lighted foolsThe way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!Life's but a walking shadow, a poor playerThat struts and frets his hour upon the stageAnd then is heard no more: it is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury,Signifying nothing.”
What does that mean? What does the comment tell us about Macbeth’s attitude toward his wife? How does compare and contrast to his attitude toward life in general?
134. (2:07) One of the prophecies “comes to pass.” Which one is it? Was Macbeth right or wrong when he said that no one can uproot an entire forest?
135. Why has Malcolm’s army torn up the trees of the forest?
136. (2:09) Where is everyone going in such a hurry? Why does Old Seward stop them? Why are the courtiers willing to kill Seward in order to escape Macbeth’s court?
(2:11) Note that Macduff and Young Seward (Young Seyton) lead the “first assault” against Macbeth; Young Seward earlier fled Macbeth’s reign, but his father stayed.
137. (2:12) Macbeth’s challengers enter the throne room. How many courtiers and other assorted hangers-on has Macbeth left?
Birnam Wood has moved toward Dunsinane, yet Macbeth still clings to his delusions: “Thou wast born of woman.”
138. Why has Macbeth, of all other men, avoided Macduff?
139. (2:16) Macbeth holds Macduff at swordpoint. Why does he let him up?
140. (2:16) “Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripped.” I.e., Macduff was born by Caesarian section. Why is that such a big deal?
(2:19) Macbeth dies.
141. Who crowns Malcolm as the new King of Scotland?
142. (2:21) Who is this rainsoaked man? Where is he going; whom is he visiting? What is Director Roman Polanski suggesting by ending the film this way?
2:22 Ending Credits
