1. Act I Quotes Exam: Example Answer Practice
a. Speaker
b. To whom they’re speaking
c. Clarification- what is going on in the play when the words are spoken (complete sentences)
d. Analysis- why the quote is important (ie: link to literary terms like mood, tone, irony, foreshadowing, plot,etc) (complete sentences)
“No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive
Our bosom interest. Go, pronounce his present death,
And with his former title greet Macbeth.”

2. Example King Duncan Angus, Ross, Malcolm, Donalbain
King Duncan
Angus, Ross, Malcolm, Donalbain
After hearing of their victory against the Norwegians and Ross’s negotiations, King Duncan is declaring that the traitor, the Thane of Cawdor, will no longer be able to deceive them because he is to be executed. He instructs Angus and Ross to go greet Macbeth and give him the news that he has been rewarded for his victory in battle with the title: Thane of Cawdor.
This is a example of dramatic irony. At this point in the play, Macbeth does not know that he has been given the title, Thane of Cawdor. When the witches hail him with that title, he is confused. This part of their prophecy is then fulfilled when Ross and Angus arrive to tell him the news of his new title.

3. Reminders
Be specific!
Your answer should include: who, what, when, where and why!
Don’t write vague things.
Example: Macbeth was confused by what the witches said. vs. Macbeth was confused when the witches hailed him with titles that did not belong to him.

4. Reminders
Be sure to directly state the literary term that you are discussing in your explanation and identify if necessary: mood, tone, irony, diction, plot development, characterization, etc.
Example: The witches created a mood in the play. vs. When the witches called out to their familiar spirits, it created an ominous mood in the beginning of the play that helps show that a tragedy is about to start.