Welcome to our blog post ISC Macbeth Workbook Answers : Act 1, Scene 3 of William Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, “Macbeth.” As dedicated learners and educators, we recognize the importance of unraveling the nuances of Shakespearean literature, which is why we’ve curated this comprehensive guide specifically tailored to the ISC curriculum.
Within this blog, we’ll explore Act 1, Scene 3, utilizing the meticulously crafted workbook provided by Morning Star publishers. Our objective is to not only present multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and detailed answers but also to foster a deeper comprehension of the play’s themes, characters, and linguistic complexities.
While our responses are structured based on the workbook, we encourage students to use this resource as a springboard for their own exploration. Shakespeare’s works offer rich layers of interpretation, inviting individual analysis. Therefore, feel empowered to adapt and personalize our insights to suit your unique learning style and needs.
Whether you’re striving for academic excellence or simply eager to unravel the depths of “Macbeth,” join us on this enlightening journey through Act 1, Scene 3. Let’s embark on an adventure where Shakespeare’s words transcend time, captivating minds across generations.
Table of Contents
Workbook Summary :
The three witches meet once again on the barren heath, with thunder and lightning again foreshadowing their appearance. This is according to their previous plan and they prepare themselves to meet Macbeth and Banquo, who are to return that way now that the battle is over.-They pass their time by cackling about their latest doings and their supernatural powers over nature. They have been going about killing swine just for fun and taking malicious pleasure in torturing a village woman’s sailor husband at sea.
Hearing the beating of the battle drums, they perform a magical rite and prepare to meet Macbeth. As Macbeth enters, he comments, So foul and fair a day I have not seen. It is Banquo who first spies the three witches and expresses his wonder at their weird appearance. The witches greet Macbeth first as the Thane of Glamis (which he already is) then as the Thane of Cawdor (which he is unaware of) and lastly as king hereafter. Macbeth is taken aback! Banquo now wishes to know his future. They speak half-heartedly to Banquo and tell him that he would be father to kings but never be a king himself.
Macbeth is absolutely mesmerised by the witches and asks them to prophesy some more wondering how he can be the Thane of Cawdor who is still living, but they vanish into the air. Macbeth realizes that according to the three witches, Banquo’s children will be kings and likewise Banquo realises that Macbeth will be the new Thane of Cawdor. Banquo regards them as ‘bubbles in the air but Macbeth is taken up with what they prophesized.
Hardly have the witches vanished that Ross and Angus, both sent by the king come to announce that Duncan has conferred on Macbeth the title of Thane of Cawdor as a reward for his bravery on the battlefield and that the Thane of Cawdor will be executed. Banquo is amazed Macbeth makes his first short soliloquy:
Glamis, and thane of Cawdor/The greatest is behind.
He now suspiciously questions Banquo whether he hopes that his children would be kings but Banquo fears the witches and calls them instruments of darkness saying that they often tell meaningless truths in order to later betray people.
Macbeth is still confused by his good fortune and wonders why the prediction of his becoming thane of Cawdor has given him reason to believe in the prediction of his becoming king. This is the moment of the birth of evil ‘already inherent in Macbeth for he now starts to have murderous thoughts. The image of his murdering Duncan at once comes to his mind and terrifies him so much that his hair stands on end and his heart pounds unnaturally. He is lost in speculation but then decides to leave it to Fate. This aside or soliloquy of Macbeth reveals the many aspects of his character to the audience.
The four of them move on to go and meet king Duncan who is waiting to welcome Macbeth at his palace in Forres.
Workbook MCQs :
1. Who are the three witches awaiting?
a. Banquo
b. Ross
c. Angus
d. Macbeth, along with Banquo
Answer :- d. Macbeth, along with Banquo
2. But in a sieve I’ll thither sail
And like a rat without a tail, I’ll do, I’ll do and I’ll do.
Why is the ‘I’ll do, I’ll do and I’ll do’ emphasized upon?
a. The repetition shows the first witch’s ferocity for revenge
b. It shows how she likes to repeat things
c. It shows that she says everything thrice
d. It shows that she likes to take revenge
Answer :- a. The repetition shows the first witch’s ferocity for revenge
3. Which number is said to be magical by the witches?
a. Three
b. Nine
c. One
d. Five
Answer :- b. Nine
4. So foul and fair a day, I have not seen. How does this opening remark by Macbeth establish a link between him and the witches?
a. Macbeth too likes to speak in oxymorons.
b. Macbeth, like the witches, likes to speak in riddles.
c. Macbeth’s remark echoes the final words of the witches in Scene I of the play.’
d. Both Macbeth and the witches like to harass ordinary people.
Answer :- c. Macbeth’s remark echoes the final words of the witches in Scene I of the play.’
5. Banquo: ‘What are these…?’
Who is Banquo referring to as ‘these’?
a. Ross and Angus
b. Duncan and his sons
c. The Sergeant and Ross
d. The three witches
Answer :- d. The three witches
6. Banquo comments that the witches don’t look like women because of their
a. chopped fingers
b. withered lips
c. cackling voices
d. beards on their chins
Answer :- d. beards on their chins
7. The three witches greet Macbeth as
a. A brave general
b. A brave and victorious general
c. The Thane of Glamis and Thane of Cawdor
d. The Thane of Glamis, the Thane of Cawdor and king hereafter.
Answer :- d. The Thane of Glamis, the Thane of Cawdor and king hereafter.
8. What does Banquo mean when he says, ‘royal hope’?
a. Hope of becoming king
b. Of royal lineage
c. Belonging to royalty
d. Having royal blood
Answer :- a. Hope of becoming king
9. Which of the following is NOT correct about the witches
a. They are vindictive
b. They meddle with common people’s lives
c. They like Macbeth and want the best for him
d. They speak in riddles
Answer :- d. They speak in riddles
10. Regarding his future, Banquo is told by the witches that
a. He will never be a king
b. He will never be a king but would be the father of kings
c. He would be king and so would be his sons after him
d. He is as lucky as Macbeth
Answer :- b. He will never be a king but would be the father of kings
11. One example of the witches speaking in riddles is when one of them says
a. I greet you!
b. Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!
c. You will not be so great as Macbeth, yet you will be greater than he
d. So, we greet you both wholeheartedly, Macbeth and Banquo.
Answer :- c. You will not be so great as Macbeth, yet you will be greater than he
12. A drum, a drum
Macbeth doth come
These lines are an example of the literary device:
a. Alliteration
b. Metaphor
c. Similie
d. Irony
Answer :- a. Alliteration
13. As thick as hail
The comparison is an example of the literary device
a. Metaphor
b. Simile
c. Oxymoron
d. Irony
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
14. Macbeth already is the
a. Thane of Cawdor
b. Thane of Fife
c. Thane of Ross
d. Thane of Glamis
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
15. Macbeth tells the witches that it is impossible for him to
a. Become king
b. Be like his father, Sinel
c. Become either the Thane of Cawdor or the king of Scotland
d. Become the Thane of Ross
Answer :- c. Become either the Thane of Cawdor or the king of Scotland
16. When Macbeth charges the three witches, demanding an answer
a. They cackle with laughter
b. They disappear
c. They become silent
d. They become bubbles
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17. Banquo considers the witches to be
a. Celestial beings
b. Figments of his imagination
c. Bubbles of the air
d. Stars in the sky
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18. BANQUO (aside): What, can the devil speak true? What makes Banquo utter the line given above?
a. When Ross and Angus come to Macbeth and him
b. When Ross addresses Macbeth as the new Thane of Cawdor
c. When Ross tells Macbeth that king Duncan is very proud of him
d. When Ross tells Macbeth that king Duncan wants to meet him.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
19. Why is Macbeth startled to hear the news that he has also become the Thane of Cawdor?
a. Due to the immediate though partial fulfilment of the prophesy made by the witches just a while ago
b. Due to Macbeth always expecting this title to be his
c. Due to him feeling that he had always deserved this new title
d. Due to his opinion that Banquo should be conferred with this title instead.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
20. The earth hath bubbles, as the water has, And these are of them
Which quality of Banquo is being highlighted here?
a. That he too believes every word they predict
b. That he becomes excited for himself
с. That he is very sceptical of their predictions
d. That he too becomes hopeful of becoming king
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
21. Why does Banquo call the witches ‘instruments of darkness’?
a. They only appear when it is dark
b. The moment they appear everything turns dark
c. They win a person’s confidence only to goad him to do wrong and then he repents
d. They win a person’s confidence and help him in his dark days.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
22. What does ‘imperial theme’ refer to?
a. The theme of becoming the Thane of Cawdor
b. Theme of instigation
с. The theme of becoming king
d. The theme of becoming rich
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23. If chance will have me king
Why, chance may crown me Without my stir.
What does Macbeth mean by ‘without my stir’?
a. With all the effort from his part
b. Without any effort from his part
c. Without any doubt
d. Without any hesitation
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
24. The very thought of murdering Duncan cause Macbeth’s
1. hair to stand at their ends
2. his heart to pound very quickly
3. his legs to tremble
4. his hands to shake
a. 1 and 4
b. 1 and 2
c. 2 and 3
d. 1 and 3
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Workbook Questions :
(I) This scene can be called the temptation scene because in this scene the witches tempt Macbeth to lead him astray.
(II) The first witch says that she has many powers because she has full command over ports and over the points of compass.
(III) Banquo describes the looks of the three witches as ‘strange creatures’ because they look like women but they have strange beards.
(IV) Macbeth calls the three witches ‘imperfect speakers’ because they speak incompletely.
(V) Macbeth is conferred with the title of nobility as Thane of Cawdor by king Duncan because he has shown exemplary bravery in putting down the rebellion and killed the treacherous Macdonwald.
(VI) Angus tells Macbeth that he and Ross have been sent by king Duncan because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(VII) Macbeth asks Ross as to why he ‘dresses’ him in ‘borrowed robes’ because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(VIII) The idea of murder takes place in Macbeth’s mind because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(IX) Banqo says once Macbeth gets accustomed to his ‘new honours’ just like ‘strange garments’ because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(X) ….my dull brain was wrought With things forgotten. What Macbeth has just said is just a cover up or an excuse because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Question Answers :
(I) What does Angus say when Macbeth questions him about why was he addressing him with a title that belongs to another man? Write your answer in short paragraph of about 100-150 words.
Answers: As directed by king Duncan Ross and Angus inform Macbeth that the king has a mind to honour him for his bravery in putting down the rebellion. Ross tells him that he has been directed to address him as the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is utterly surprised to hear it. He asks Angus why he is addressing him thus. At this Angus tells him that the Thane of Cawdor is still alive but he has been sentenced to death which he truly deserves. He openly joined with the king of Norway and supplied him with secret help. In this way he tried to destroy his country. He is charged with treason, which has been proved. It is this treason for which he has been condemned to die.
(II) Referring closely to his bravery, how would you characterise Macbeth at this point of the play? Write your answer in a short paragraph of about 100-150 words.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(III) a. What does Ross relay to Macbeth about king Duncan’s praise for him? Write your answer in about 200-250 words.
Answers: Ross brings thrilling news to Macbeth, relaying King Duncan’s immense praise for his heroic deeds in battle. The king is delighted by Macbeth’s success against the rebel forces and the Norwegian army. Duncan specifically credits Macbeth for his extraordinary courage and leadership on the battlefield.
Ross recounts how Macbeth fearlessly entered the ranks of the Norwegian soldiers, defending Scotland with unmatched bravery. All messengers and soldiers have been praising Macbeth’s valor, and the king himself is deeply impressed. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Duncan conveys his heartfelt thanks to Macbeth for his loyalty and service to the kingdom.
As a reward for his exceptional bravery, the king declares Macbeth the new Thane of Cawdor, stripping the treacherous former thane of his title. This announcement leaves Macbeth wonderstruck, as the witches’ prophecy—that he would become Thane of Cawdor—suddenly comes true. The moment marks a turning point in Macbeth’s life, planting the seeds of ambition that will later drive him toward darkness.
Ross’s message highlights Macbeth’s nobility while subtly foreshadowing his tragic downfall—the same honor that rewards him now will later fuel his ruthless ambition.
b. Comment on Macbeth’s soliloquy which highlights the various aspects of his character. Do you think Macbeth is satisfied with this new title? Why do you think so? Also, comment on the significance of dramatic irony in his soliloquy. Write your answer in about 200-250 words.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Essay Question :
Q. Give an account of the dialogue between Macbeth and Banquo which followed their meeting with the witches. Does this conversation throw any light on the character of the speakers? Elucidate.
Answer :- A characteristic conversation is held between Macbeth and Banquo after they have met the witches on the heath. The news, conveyed by Ross and Angus, comes that the king being extremely pleased with the exploits of Macbeth is decided to invest him with the title of ‘Thane of Cawdor’. The Thane of Cawdor is alive but a death sentence For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
