Macbeth, Dramatis Personae quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Who is the King of Scotland at the beginning of Macbeth?

   • Macbeth
   • Correct answer: Duncan
   • Malcolm
   • Banquo

   Duncan is the reigning King of Scotland at the start of the play. Macbeth murders him to seize the crown.

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2. 2

   Question 2. What title does Macbeth hold at the start of the play?

   • Thane of Fife
   • Earl of Northumberland
   • Correct answer: Thane of Glamis
   • Thane of Lochaber

   Macbeth begins the play as Thane of Glamis. He is later given the title Thane of Cawdor after the previous thane's treason.

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3. 3

   Question 3. Which character is described as Thane of Fife?

   • Banquo
   • Lennox
   • Correct answer: Macduff
   • Ross

   Macduff, Thane of Fife, is a nobleman loyal to Duncan who eventually kills Macbeth and restores Malcolm to the throne.

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4. 4

   Question 4. Who is Banquo's son?

   • Donalbain
   • Young Siward
   • Seyton
   • Correct answer: Fleance

   Fleance is Banquo's son. He escapes assassination and his survival fulfills the witches' prophecy that Banquo's descendants will be kings.

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5. 5

   Question 5. Who leads the English forces that help Malcolm reclaim the throne?

   • Lennox
   • Ross
   • Correct answer: Siward
   • Angus

   Siward, Earl of Northumberland, is the general of the English forces who supports Malcolm's campaign against Macbeth.

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6. 6

   Question 6. Which of these events actually happened in this chapter?

   • Malcolm is the elder son of King Duncan.

     Happened

     The dramatis personae lists Malcolm as the elder son of Duncan and Donalbain as the younger. Malcolm is the heir to the throne.

   • Hecate is one of the Three Witches.

     Didn't happen

     Hecate is not one of the Three Witches. She is described as the Queen of the Witches who commands them. The Three Witches are listed separately.

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7. 7

   Question 7. Who is Macbeth's personal attendant?

   • Ross
   • Correct answer: Seyton
   • The Porter
   • Lennox

   Seyton serves as Macbeth's attendant in the later acts. He is notably the one who reports Lady Macbeth's death to Macbeth.

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8. 8

   Question 8. What does the archaic word "murtherers" mean in the dramatis personae?

   • Merchants
   • Correct answer: Murderers
   • Messengers
   • Ministers

   "Murtherers" is an Elizabethan-era spelling of "murderers." These are hired assassins who carry out killings on Macbeth's orders.

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9. 9

   Question 9. What does the term "dramatis personae" mean?

   • Dramatic performance
   • Correct answer: Persons of the drama
   • Personal drama
   • Dramatic persons of note

   "Dramatis personae" is a Latin phrase meaning "persons of the drama." It refers to the traditional list of characters printed at the beginning of a play.

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10. 10

    Question 10. What is a "thane" in the context of Macbeth?

    • A military general
    • Correct answer: A Scottish feudal lord
    • A royal advisor
    • A court physician

    A thane is a Scottish feudal lord who holds land from the king in return for military service. Several characters in Macbeth hold this title, including Macbeth, Macduff, and Banquo.

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11. 11

    Question 11. Which two locations serve as the settings for Macbeth?

    • Scotland and France
    • Correct answer: Scotland and England
    • England and Ireland
    • Scotland and Wales

    The dramatis personae notes the scene as "Scotland and England." Most action occurs in Scotland, while key scenes in England involve Malcolm raising an army.

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