ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 1 Scene 1 Important Question Answers
Macbeth Act 1 Scene 1 Question Answer: Looking for ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 1 Scene 1 question answers? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising ISC Class 11 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Our solutions provide a clear idea of how to write the answers effectively. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Macbeth Act 1 Scene 1 now. The questions listed below are based on the latest ICSE exam pattern.
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ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 1 Scene 1 Textbook Questions
ASSIGNMENT
Question 1
Choose the correct options for the following questions:
1. What does thunder, lightning and rain in the opening scene suggest?
(a) Beginning of a battle
(b) Arrival of angels
(c) Commotion in nature
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (c) Commotion in nature
2. When do the witches plan to meet Macbeth?
(a) After the sunset
(b) After the end of battle
(c) Before the sunrise
(d) Before the storm.
Ans. (b) After the end of battle
3. Which of the following is correct about the witches?
(a) They have a soft corner for Macbeth
(b) They tempt men with their goodness
(c) They have knowledge of future events
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (c) They have knowledge of future events
4. What do the witches symbolise in the play?
(a) Desire in man’s mind to do wrong
(b) Temptation in man to work for himself
(c) Desire in man to control others
(d) Temptation to harm others.
Ans. (a) Desire in man’s mind to do wrong
5. What is the purpose of the witches in the play?
(a) To lure their victims
(b) To guide the nobility of their impending death
(c) To tempt their victims with riches in the forest
(d) To bring about doom of their victims.
Ans. (d) To bring about doom of their victims.
6. What do the witches use to deceive people?
(a) Gestures
(b) Songs
(c) Riddles
(d) All of the above
Ans. (c) Riddles
7. What do the witches keep as their assistants?
(a) Birds
(b) Animals
(c) Wizards
(d) All of the above
Ans. (b) Animals
8. This scene does not give any information about
(a) a battle
(b) a future meeting
(c) Macbeth
(d) a murder.
Ans. (d) a murder.
9. Who is referred to as ‘Paddock’ by the Second Witch in this Scene?
(a) Cat
(b) Rat
(c) Toad
(d) Dog
Ans. (c) Toad
10. The fog and filthy air’ in this scene depicts an atmosphere in which____________.
(a) witches use their magic
(b) deceitful evil operates
(c) battles begin
(d) witches kill their victims.
Ans. (b) deceitful evil operates
11. Which of the following chants of the witches describes the theme of the play?
(a) Fair is foul and foul is fair
(b) Falsehood must be hidden
(c) Foul is fair and fair is false
(d) Foul and fair a day.
Ans. (c) Foul is fair and fair is false
12. Who are the ‘three’ referred to in the first line of the opening scene?
(a) The three rebels
(b) The three witches
(c) The three familiars
(d) The three nobles.
Ans. (b) The three witches
13. Which of the following themes is reflected in the opening scene of the play?
(a) Trust and Deceit
(b) Inversion of faith
(c) Inversion of values
(d) Poetic justice
Ans. (c) Inversion of values
14. Why do the witches want to meet Macbeth?
(a) To deliver a prophecy about his future
(b) To make him aware of his reign
(c) To punish him for his evil acts
(d) To congratulate him on his victory.
Ans. (a) To deliver a prophecy about his future
15. What do the witches mean by ‘hurlyburly’s done’?
(a) The hurry to meet Macbeth
(b) The bad weather is over
(c) The din and tumult of battle is over
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (c) The din and tumult of battle is over
Question 2
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each:
1. The heath is a befitting place for the witches to meet because ____________________.
Ans. The heath is a befitting place for the witches to meet because it is desolate, wild, and barren nature reflects their own unnatural, chaotic, and sinister presence, setting an eerie and isolated tone for their dark rituals.
2. The three witches plan to meet again because__________________________________.
Ans. The three witches plan to meet again because they have a specific agenda to influence human events, particularly concerning Macbeth, and their next meeting is timed for after a significant battle has concluded, indicating their interest in its outcome and its effect on Macbeth.
3. The three witches want to meet Macbeth because______________________________.
Ans. The three witches want to meet Macbeth because they possess knowledge of his future and intend to deliver prophecies that will tempt him and set in motion the tragic events of the play, manipulating his ambition.
4. The three witches along with their familiars are used because______________________.
Ans. The three witches along with their familiars are used because they symbolize the dark, supernatural forces at play in the world of the play, highlighting their connection to evil spirits and the inversion of the natural order.
5. The theme fair is foul, and foul is fair’ as used by the witches to portray the theme of inversion of values because__________________________________.
Ans. The theme ‘fair is foul, and foul is fair’ as used by the witches to portray the theme of inversion of values because it immediately establishes that appearances are deceptive, that morality is blurred, and that what seems good may be evil, while evil may present itself as appealing, thus corrupting human judgment.
6. The witches and their familiars reflect the unnatural inversion because________________________.
Ans. The witches and their familiars reflect the unnatural inversion because they embody beings that exist outside the natural order, familiars are animals unnaturally imbued with demonic spirits, and the witches themselves are agents of chaos who revel in storms and moral ambiguity, subverting conventional distinctions between good and evil, male and female, human and beast.
7. The witches stand for psychological representation of the evil because______________________.
Ans. The witches stand for psychological representation of the evil because they can be interpreted not just as external entities but also as manifestations of humanity’s darker impulses, particularly Macbeth’s own latent ambition and capacity for evil, which they awaken and exacerbate.
8. Macbeth is introduced to the audience because________________________.
Ans. Macbeth is introduced to the audience because he is the central tragic hero of the play, and by having the witches explicitly state their intention to meet him, his fate is immediately linked to the supernatural and to the corrupting influence of ambition, establishing him as a character of great significance from the outset.
ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 1 Scene 1 Extra Question and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. What is the setting for the opening scene of Macbeth?
A. A palace courtyard
B. A deserted heath
C. A royal chamber
D. A military camp
Ans. B. A deserted heath
Q2. What is the specific weather condition mentioned in the very first line of the play?
A. Snow
B. Wind
C. Hail
D. Thunder and lightning
Ans. D. Thunder and lightning
Q3. What does the Second Witch mean by ‘When the hurlyburly’s done’?
A. When their magic spell is finished
B. When the battle’s tumult is over
C. When the king arrives
D. When the sun sets
Ans. B. When the battle’s tumult is over
Q4. Which paradoxical line, often quoted as the play’s theme, concludes Act 1 Scene 1?
A. ‘Out, damned spot!’
B. ‘All is fair in love and war’
C. ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’
D. ‘Screw your courage to the sticking-place’
Ans. C. ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’
Q5. The witches plan to meet after the battle has been ‘lost, and won’. What literary device is this line an example of?
A. Simile
B. Metaphor
C. Paradox
D. Alliteration
Ans. C. Paradox
Q6. Which animal is referred to by the First Witch’s call, ‘I come, Graymalkin!’?
A. A toad
B. A bat
C. A cat
D. A raven
Ans. C. A cat
Q7. The Third Witch states, ‘There to meet with Macbeth’. What is the immediate dramatic function of this line?
A. To foreshadow his murder
B. To reveal his location
C. To identify the play’s protagonist
D. To announce his victory
Ans. C. To identify the play’s protagonist
Q8. What does the atmosphere of the scene i.e. fog, filth, and storm, primarily serve to establish a mood of?
A. Romance
B. Suspense
C. Comedy
D. Chaos and moral confusion
Ans. D. Chaos and moral confusion
Q9. What name does the Second Witch use for her familiar?
A. Graymalkin
B. Paddock
C. Anon
D. Hecate
Ans. B. Paddock
Q10. What does the scene’s brevity (only 13 lines) primarily achieve?
A. Confusing the audience
B. Delaying the action
C. Creating a sudden, shocking introduction of evil
D. Allowing more time for other characters
Ans. C. Creating a sudden, shocking introduction of evil
Fill Up Sentences
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief.
1. The opening scene features a storm because___________________________.
Ans. The opening scene features a storm because it immediately establishes an atmosphere of chaos, disorder, and supernatural influence.
2. The witches plan to meet ‘ere the set of sun’ because___________________________.
Ans. The witches plan to meet ‘ere the set of sun’ because it highlights their connection to twilight, a time associated with darkness, magic, and uncertainty.
3.The line ‘When the battle’s lost, and won’ is significant because___________________________.
Ans. The line ‘When the battle’s lost, and won’ is significant because it introduces the play’s central theme of paradox and the blurring of good and evil outcomes.
4. The witches are identified by numbers (First, Second, Third) rather than names because___________________________.
Ans. The witches are identified by numbers (First, Second, Third) rather than names because it emphasizes their collective, inhuman nature as agents of fate rather than individual characters.
5. The witches use specific calls like ‘Graymalkin!’ and ‘Paddock calls’ because___________________________.
Ans. The witches use specific calls like ‘Graymalkin!’ and ‘Paddock calls’ because these are calls to their familiars, showing their connection to demonic forces and the animalistic.
6. The witches’ language is often rhyming and rhythmic because___________________________.
Ans. The witches’ language is often rhyming and rhythmic because it makes their pronouncements sound like incantations, enhancing their mystical and prophetic aura.
7. The scene is very brief because___________________________.
Ans. The scene is very brief because its primary purpose is to quickly establish the play’s supernatural elements, ominous tone, and the witches’ focus on Macbeth.
8. The phrase ‘Hover through the fog and filthy air’ suggests a theme of deception because___________________________
Ans. The phrase ‘Hover through the fog and filthy air’ suggests a theme of deception because the fog obscures clarity, symbolizing the moral ambiguity and hidden evils they embody.
9. The witches mention “Macbeth” before we even meet him___________________________.
Ans. The witches mention “Macbeth” before we even meet him because it immediately positions him as the central figure of their interest and the target of their prophecies.
10. This scene ends with the witches exiting because___________________________.
Ans. This scene ends with the witches exiting because it leaves the audience with a sense of foreboding and anticipation for Macbeth’s encounter with these mysterious figures.
Extra Questions
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Answer the questions briefly in about 100-150 words.
Q1. How does the introduction of the three witches immediately establish the supernatural elements of the play?
Ans. The immediate appearance of the three witches on a desolate heath, amidst a violent storm of thunder, lightning, and rain, instantly plunges the audience into a world governed by the supernatural. Their very presence, coupled with their cryptic dialogue, defies natural human existence. They are not ordinary women but ‘Weird Sisters’, beings who seem to control the elements and possess knowledge of future events. Their ability to meet during such a tumultuous storm and their discussion of familiars like ‘Graymalkin’ and ‘Paddock’ further underscore their connection to dark magic and demonic forces. This swift introduction ensures that from the play’s outset, the audience understands that extraordinary, unnatural powers will heavily influence the unfolding narrative and Macbeth’s destiny.
Q2. Discuss the impact of the scene’s brevity on its overall effectiveness.
Ans. The extreme brevity of Act 1 Scene 1, consisting of only thirteen lines, is highly effective in establishing a powerful and lasting impression. Its conciseness creates a sense of urgency and mystery, preventing the audience from fully understanding the witches’ intentions while firmly planting the seeds of unease. The short, sharp lines and rhythmic chants contribute to an almost incantatory feel, enhancing their otherworldly presence. This brief encounter serves as a chilling prologue, quickly setting the ominous tone and introducing key themes without dwelling on explanations. It immediately focuses attention on the supernatural, the theme of paradox, and the ominous promise of Macbeth’s involvement, leaving a strong sense of foreboding that propels the audience into the rest of the play.
Q3. How does the witches’ dialogue hint at their manipulative nature rather than simply being passive seers?
Ans. The witches’ dialogue in Act 1 Scene 1 hints at their manipulative nature through their active planning and their choice of words. They are not merely observing but are strategically deciding when and where to meet (‘When shall we three meet again… Upon the heath… There to meet with Macbeth’). This proactive approach demonstrates agency and intent. Furthermore, their final chant, ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air’, isn’t a neutral observation; it’s a declaration of their philosophy, suggesting an active desire to blur moral boundaries and create an environment ripe for deception. They are not just predicting fate but actively seeking to influence and pervert it by targeting Macbeth and presenting him with tempting, yet corrupting, prophecies.
Q4. In what ways does the scene foreshadow the moral confusion that will plague Macbeth?
Ans. The opening scene immediately foreshadows the moral confusion that will plague Macbeth primarily through the witches’ paradoxical statements and their thematic chant. The line ‘When the battle’s lost, and won’ introduces the idea that victory can be a form of defeat, blurring clear moral outcomes. More significantly, ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’ directly indicates an inversion of values, suggesting that good and evil will become indistinguishable. This philosophical statement prepares the audience for a protagonist who will struggle to discern right from wrong. Macbeth, initially a valiant soldier, will soon be tempted by foul ambitions presented as fair opportunities, causing him to murder for power. The moral landscape is immediately established as one where distinctions are blurred, mirroring Macbeth’s upcoming internal struggle.
Q5. Why is it significant that Macbeth is mentioned by the witches before he actually appears in the play?
Ans. The witches’ explicit mention of ‘Macbeth’ before he even appears in the play is highly significant. Firstly, it immediately establishes him as the central figure of the drama and the object of the witches’ malevolent interest, highlighting his pivotal role. Secondly, it creates a powerful sense of foreboding and dramatic irony; the audience is privy to a dark design involving him before he is even aware of it. This early connection to the supernatural and evil forces suggests that his fate is already intertwined with these sinister powers. It signals that his journey will be influenced, if not guided, by prophecy and temptation, immediately setting up the conflict between free will and destiny that defines his tragic arc.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
Answer the questions briefly in about 200-250 words.
Q1. How does the opening scene immediately establish the play’s atmosphere and themes?
Ans. The brief opening scene masterfully establishes an atmosphere of chaos, disorder, and ominous foreboding. The stage directions, ‘Thunder and lightning’, immediately assault the senses, creating a mood of cosmic disturbance. This physical storm mirrors the moral and political turmoil that is about to engulf the characters and the kingdom. The setting, a ‘desert heath’, adds to the sense of isolation and unnaturalness, indicating that the events transpiring are outside the normal bounds of civilization. The core themes are instantly introduced through the Witches’ cryptic dialogue. The line, ‘When the battle’s lost, and won’, is a brilliant paradox that signifies the play’s central concern: appearances are deceptive, and victory often comes with a hidden, ruinous cost. The witches are not just harbingers of fate; they embody the confusion and moral ambiguity that will define Macbeth’s journey. Their final chant, ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’, is the thematic keynote for the entire play. This phrase announces the inversion of moral values, where good and evil are blurred and indistinguishable. The Witches’ very presence links Macbeth to the supernatural and corruption from the first moments, setting the stage for a tragedy driven by evil influence and moral confusion. The scene serves as a concentrated burst of exposition, instantly plunging the audience into a world where reality is unstable.
Q2. Analyze the significance of the Witches’ closing lines: ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair: / Hover through the fog and filthy air’.
Ans. This rhyming couplet is arguably the most famous and important thematic statement in all of Macbeth. ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’ is a concise declaration of the play’s inverted moral code. It means that what appears to be good or attractive (fair) is actually evil or corrupt (foul), and conversely, what is seemingly repulsive (foul, like the witches themselves) holds a deceptive appeal. This theme of inversion of values poisons the moral clarity of the entire world of the play. It acts as a lens through which the audience is meant to view every subsequent event. The second line, ‘Hover through the fog and filthy air’, describes the environment in which this moral ambiguity operates. The ‘fog’ symbolizes confusion, uncertainty, and the deliberate obscuring of truth, making it difficult for characters (especially Macbeth) to see clearly or make sound moral judgments. The ‘filthy air’ suggests an atmosphere of moral corruption and evil that is pervasive, breathable, and unavoidable. By concluding with this chant, the Witches essentially cast a spell over the audience, warning us that the world we are about to enter is one where truth is elusive and treachery is hidden behind the guise of honor and loyalty. It foreshadows the deceit Macbeth will use to gain the crown and the mental torment he will endure due to his blurred moral vision.
Q3. What is the dramatic purpose of the Witches’ explicit mention of Macbeth in this opening scene?
Ans. The Witches’ casual but direct declaration, ‘There to meet with Macbeth’, serves an immediate and critical dramatic purpose. First, it establishes Macbeth as the central protagonist and the object of their nefarious attention before the audience has even met him. This immediate linking of his name to the supernatural and to the setting of chaos (the heath and the storm) prefigures his tragic fate. His destiny is not only tied to his own ambition but is tangled up with dark, external forces. Second, it generates powerful dramatic irony and suspense. The audience is now aware that a fateful meeting is imminent, and this knowledge influences how we perceive Macbeth when he finally appears on stage. He is introduced not as a triumphant soldier but as a predestined pawn. This early intervention suggests that his actions will be driven, at least in part, by external suggestion, raising the philosophical question of fate versus free will that underpins the tragedy. The Witches are not merely prophesying the future; they are actively framing the circumstances of his downfall. By making him the sole focus of their meeting, the scene ensures that everything that follows, the battle, the King’s praise, the political landscape, will be filtered through the audience’s knowledge of the dark plot being woven around him.
Q4. Explain the significance of the Witches’ use of familiars, ‘Graymalkin’ and ‘Paddock’, in this scene.
Ans. The mention of the Witches’ familiars Graymalkin (a cat) and Paddock (a toad) is a crucial element in establishing their supernatural identity and alignment with evil forces. In the Jacobean era, belief in witchcraft was widespread, and a common aspect of the lore was that witches kept familiars: small animals that were actually minor demons or evil spirits in disguise. These creatures served as their attendants and performed minor evil deeds. By calling upon their familiars, the Witches are signaling their submission to and partnership with the demonic world. The cat and the toad are traditionally associated with darkness, poison, and the sinister, reinforcing the Witches’ own repulsive nature. The calls are not just idle chatter; they are commands that signify the Witches are concluding their meeting to answer the demands of their masters (the demons/familiars). This detail firmly places the play’s evil in the realm of the supernatural and underscores that the Witches are not merely mad women but agents of chaos and corruption. The reference grounds the abstract, rhyming evil of the Witches in a tangible, if grotesque, reality, increasing the sense of terror and the violation of the natural order.
Q5. How does the theme of winning and losing surface in Act 1 Scene 1?
Ans. The theme of winning and losing is introduced immediately through a famous line of paradox and confusion. The Second Witch states they will meet ‘When the hurlyburly’s done, / When the battle’s lost, and won’. This statement suggests that in the context of moral and political struggle, the concepts of victory and defeat are no longer clear-cut or simple. The battle’s outcome is described simultaneously as a loss and a win, which holds profound significance for the play’s themes. This paradoxical phrasing foreshadows Macbeth’s eventual fate. While he is winning on the battlefield and will ultimately win the crown (a political victory), his triumph will come at the cost of his conscience, his nobility, his peace, and his soul (a devastating personal loss). The Witches imply that the immediate military victory, which is about to be celebrated, is also the starting point for a deeper, more destructive failure for Macbeth. The lines establish that in this world, political gain often entails spiritual ruin. Therefore, the scene suggests that true victory is unattainable, as every success contains the seed of its own destruction, a condition that will haunt Macbeth until the final act.