Random Dialogues:
1. First Witch (Act 1, Scene 1):
“When shall we three meet again, In thunder, lightning, or in rain?”
2. Captain (Act 1, Scene 2):
“For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name— Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel,
Which smoked with bloody execution.”
3. Banquo (Act 1, Scene 3):
“If you can look into the seeds of time, And say which grain will grow and which will not, Speak
then to me.”
4. Macbeth (Act 1, Scene 3):
“Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more: By Sinel’s death, I know I am Thane of Glamis; But
how of Cawdor?”
5. Lady Macbeth (Act 1, Scene 5):
“Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t.”
6. Macbeth (Act 1, Scene 4):
“Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires.”
7. King Duncan (Act 1, Scene 4):
“There’s no art To find the mind’s construction in the face.”
8. Lady Macbeth (Act 1, Scene 5):
“Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the
toe top-full Of direst cruelty!”
9. Banquo (Act 1, Scene 3):
“ The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray ’ s In deepest
consequence.”
10. Macbeth (Act 1, Scene 4):
“The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap.”
Questions for Discussion:
1. For Dialogue 1: “When shall we three meet again, In thunder, lightning, or in rain?”
• What atmosphere is created by this line?
• How do the witches’ words set the tone for the rest of the play?
2. For Dialogue 2: “For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name— Disdaining fortune,
with his brandished steel…”
• What does the captain’s description of Macbeth reveal about his character at the start of
the play?
• What imagery is used in this dialogue to describe Macbeth’s fighting skills?
3. For Dialogue 3: “If you can look into the seeds of time…”
• What figurative language is Banquo using to describe the witches’ powers?
• How does this metaphor relate to the idea of fate and future in the play?
4. For Dialogue 4: “Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more: By Sinel’s death, I know I
am Thane of Glamis; But how of Cawdor?”
• Why is Macbeth confused about his new title?
• How does this dialogue show Macbeth’s growing curiosity and ambition?
5. For Dialogue 5: “Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t.”
• What does this metaphor suggest about Lady Macbeth ’ s character and her advice to
Macbeth?
• How does this line reflect the theme of appearance vs. reality?
6. For Dialogue 6: “Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires.”
• What does this line reveal about Macbeth’s inner conflict?
• How does the use of metaphor intensify Macbeth’s growing ambition?
7. For Dialogue 7: “There’s no art To find the mind’s construction in the face.”
• What is King Duncan saying about human nature here?
• How does this line foreshadow later events in the play?
8. For Dialogue 8: “Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here…”
• How does Lady Macbeth challenge traditional gender roles in this line?
• What figurative language is used here to illustrate Lady Macbeth’s desire for power?
9. For Dialogue 9: “The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to
betray ’s In deepest consequence.”
• How does Banquo warn Macbeth about the witches’ prophecies?
• What is the figurative meaning of “instruments of darkness”?
10. For Dialogue 10: “The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step On which I must fall down,
or else o’erleap.”
• What does Macbeth mean by this metaphor about “the step”?
• How does this dialogue show Macbeth’s growing ambition and internal struggle?
Figurative Language and Effects:
1. Metaphor: “Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t.” (Dialogue 5)
• Effect: This metaphor compares Macbeth to an innocent flower and a dangerous serpent,
symbolizing the theme of deceit. Lady Macbeth is urging Macbeth to appear harmless while
secretly being deadly, reflecting her manipulative nature.
2. Personification: “ Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires. ”
(Dialogue 6)
• Effect: Macbeth personifies the stars and light to express his desire to hide his dark
ambitions. The imagery intensifies his internal conflict between morality and ambition.
3. Allusion: “The instruments of darkness tell us truths…” (Dialogue 9)
• Effect: Banquo uses “instruments of darkness” to allude to the witches as agents of evil.
This allusion highlights the theme of deception, suggesting that seemingly truthful prophecies may
lead to harmful consequences.
Test Paper for Students:
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Date:
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