can anyone please send me the question and answers of MacBeth ICSE board..
plz fast...
Answers
1. What mood is established at the beginning of the play? How does Shakespeare develop this?
At the beginning of the play, a sinister and mysterious mood is established. This is initially presented by thunder and lightning that starts in scene i. Such weather symbolizes unnatural elements at play. Indeed, this materializes in the form of the witches, as they symbolize evil. Furthermore, the contradictory words spoken by the witches expresses disorder and chaos. "Fair is foul and foul is fair" (line 11) emphasizes this to a large extent.
2. The importance of Macbeth’s aside should not be overlooked. What does it show us about the nature of Macbeth’s ambition?
This soliloquy shows us ambition has a strong influence on Macbeth. In fact, it seems he is taken over by it–the need to murder the king to satisfy the third prophecy revealed to him by the witches. Therefore, his ambition can be perceived as a flaw as it is putting Macbeth in an uncontrolled and unnatural state of mind.
Act II-III
3. In Act II, what is Macbeth questioning about the dagger he sees before him?
When Macbeth suddenly sees an illusion of a dagger pointing him towards Duncan’s bedchamber, he tries to grasp it, but can’t. Then he asks himself what it is he is beholding, for it is simply an illusion of the mind. Seemingly, Macbeth questions his sight and reason. In fact, it appears he doesn’t know whether to trust himself. This soliloquy serves to provide suspense before the murder. Again, an inner conflict is raging in his mind, of whether or not to commit murder.
4. What is the purpose of the porter scene?
The purpose of the porter scene is to bring a change of tone into the play. After the dark tone of the previous scenes, this scene introduces good-natured comedy. Nonetheless, the jokes made also comment on the play’s theme.
5. What does the escape of Fleance symbolize for Macbeth?
The escape of Fleance represents a possible threat to Meacbeth, for the prophecy regarding Banquo’s children leading a line of kings could still be fulfilled. Moreover, Fleance’s escape brings about the initiation of Macbeth’s decline, as this is the first time he has failed in executing his plans to perfection.