When Macbeth is told of his new title, how do he and Banquo react? Can you think of reasons for …

Why does Shakespeare open the play by showing the witches? Why is it good for Macbeth not to appear first? …

How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s personalities change over the course of the play?  Why do they intersect?  Exchange? Ben …

What do you think is the most important theme of Macbeth? What emotions do you feel over the course of …

How does Shakespeare use the play to comment on gender roles?  Consider the characters of Lady Macbeth, Lady Macduff, and/or …

List three specific examples of dark imagery that appear throughout the play.  In what scenes do these images appear? Explain …

Discuss the definitions of “manhood” proposed by characters throughout the play. Contrast Malcolm’s and Macduff’s views of manhood (see IV. …

Discuss the following characters as doubles of Macbeth: Duncan, Malcolm, Banquo, the Thane of Cawdor, and the King of England. …

What are the forces that determine Macbeth’s destiny? To what degree are the witches responsible for Macbeth’s downfall? What roles …

A tragic hero should provoke our sympathy? Do you sympathize with Macbeth? Why or why not? Does his downfall evoke …