Model Question for WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S "MACBETH": Difficulty Level: Graduation

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S MACBETH

 Difficulty Level: Graduation        Time: 1hr 30 Mnt

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S MACBETH QUESTIONS -ANSWERS

1.Answer any one:- (600 words)

1. “Lady Macbeth’s fiction of masculinity is never more than valour of the tongue.”- How far the line is true?

2. Write a short note on the role of witches in Macbeth.

3. “Macbeth the man is a study in self damnation”-Discuss.

2. Answer any two of the following question:-  (50 words)

1. What is the importance of soliloquies in Macbeth with regard to plot-development and character-revelation?

2. What is the dramatic importance of Act-ii of Macbeth?

          (Duncan’s murder scene)

3. To what extremity are the decisions and actions of Macbeth influenced by his wife?

4. Write a short note on any of the two images used by Shakespeare in his tragedy Macbeth.

5. Macduft is a true patriot but a bad husband and father- comment.

3. Answer all the questions:- one or two sentences      

1. Why Macbeth is called a Senecan play?

2. Who was from his mother’s womb intimely ripped?

3. Who is Hecate?

4. Render the simple meaning of Macbeth is following speech:

 Good things of day being to droop and drowse

While nights black agents to their preys do rouse.

5. “It is a tale

Told by an I diot, full of saund  and fury

Signifying nothing.” – What is meant by it?

6. “Why should I play the does Roman fool and die/ on min own sword?” – Who thus question? What is the occasion?

7. “Faith here is an equivocator that could swear in both the seales against either seale….” – What is the meaning of equivocator?

                       (Act –ii. Sc-iii)

h. Which scene does come between two horrible scenes in the play – the commission of the murder of Duncan, and the discovery of the murder? 

Answer Sheet

Subject: William Shakespeare's "Macbeth"

Difficulty Level: Graduation

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Question 1: Answer any one (600 words)

a. "Lady Macbeth's fiction of masculinity is never more than valour of the tongue." - How far is this line true?

Lady Macbeth's portrayal of masculinity in Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" is indeed largely limited to her words and not consistently demonstrated in her actions. While she displays an unwavering determination to commit regicide and manipulates Macbeth into carrying out their ambitious plans, her own inability to directly participate in the violent acts reveals a certain level of weakness. Lady Macbeth often urges Macbeth to be ruthless, using her words to provoke and challenge his masculinity. She questions his courage and even calls him a coward when he shows hesitation. However, when it comes to physically executing their murderous intentions, Lady Macbeth is unable to do so herself.

In Act 1, Lady Macbeth calls upon supernatural forces to "unsex" her and fill her with "direst cruelty." This desire to shed her feminine qualities and assume a more masculine persona is a significant indication of her perception of masculinity as associated with strength and aggression. Yet, despite her fierce rhetoric and claims of being willing to dash out her own child's brains to achieve their goals, she eventually succumbs to guilt and madness, ultimately taking her own life. This highlights the disparity between her verbal bravado and her inability to sustain the fiction of masculinity she creates.

Lady Macbeth's reliance on language as a tool to manipulate Macbeth and spur him into action reveals her limited agency. While her words are powerful, they are ultimately empty when divorced from concrete actions. She may be able to challenge Macbeth's masculinity and goad him into action, but she cannot fully embody the masculine qualities she espouses.

Therefore, it can be argued that Lady Macbeth's fiction of masculinity is, indeed, predominantly a valour of the tongue. Her character is shaped by her ability to use language to manipulate and control, rather than by her own physical agency and ability to directly execute her ambitions.

Question 2: Answer any two of the following questions (50 words each)

a. What is the importance of soliloquies in Macbeth with regard to plot-development and character-revelation?

Soliloquies in Macbeth are crucial for plot-development and character-revelation. They provide insight into the characters' thoughts, motivations, and inner conflicts, advancing the storyline and deepening our understanding of the characters' complexities.

b. What is the dramatic importance of Act-ii of Macbeth?

          (Duncan’s murder scene)

Act II of Macbeth, particularly the scene depicting Duncan's murder, holds dramatic importance as it marks the pivotal point where Macbeth crosses the line into regicide. It sets the tone for the unfolding tragedy and introduces the theme of moral corruption and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

Question 3: Answer all the questions (one or two sentences)

a. Why Macbeth is called a Senecan play?

Macbeth is called a Senecan play because it shares similarities with the works of the Roman playwright Seneca, including the use of supernatural elements, revenge, and themes of moral corruption.

b. Who was from his mother’s womb untimely ripped?

Macduff's reference to being "untimely ripped" refers to his birth by Caesarean section, indicating that he was not born in the traditional manner and fulfilling the prophecy that Macbeth should beware of Macduff.

c. Who is Hecate?

Hecate is a character in Macbeth associated with witchcraft and the supernatural. She is often portrayed as the goddess of witchcraft and represents the darker forces at work in the play.

d. Render the simple meaning of Macbeth is following speech:

 Good things of day being to droop and drowse

While nights black agents to their preys do rouse.

The lines "Good things of day being to droop and drowse, while night's black agents to their preys do rouse" suggest that evil deeds thrive in the darkness while virtuous actions fade away during daylight.

e. “It is a tale

Told by an I diot, full of saund  and fury

Signifying nothing.” – What is meant by it?

The quote "It is a tale told by an idiot,

full of sound and fury, signifying nothing" implies that life is ultimately meaningless and devoid of purpose, comparing it to a meaningless story told by a foolish person.

f. “Why should I play the does Roman fool and die/ on min own sword?” – Who thus question? What is the occasion?

The question "Why should I play the Roman fool and die on my own sword?" is posed by Macbeth himself during his contemplation of whether he should continue fighting or surrender. It reflects his reluctance to meet his own demise and questions the necessity of a futile act.

g. “Faith here is an equivocator that could swear in both the seales against either seale….” – What is the meaning of equivocator?

                       (Act –ii. Sc-iii)

The term "equivocator" in Act II, Scene III refers to someone who deliberately uses ambiguous or misleading language, especially to deceive others. In this context, it implies that there are individuals who can give false testimony and swear dishonestly.

h. Which scene does come between two horrible scenes in the play – the commission of the murder of Duncan, and the discovery of the murder?

The scene that comes between the commission of Duncan's murder and the discovery of the murder is Act II, Scene II, commonly known as the "Porter scene." It serves as a brief comic interlude, providing a moment of relief and contrast amidst the intense and tragic events of the play.

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