Macbeth - Form, structure and language test questions - WJEC - GCSE English Literature Revision

Read this extract in which Macbeth realises that, following the murder of Banquo, he is going to have to keep on killing to maintain his power and then answer the questions which follow.

'It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood.

Stones have been known to move, and trees to speak.

Augurs and understood relations, have

By maggot-pies, and choughs, and rooks brought forth

The secret'st man of blood.'

(Act 3 Scene 4)

1

What aspect of dramatic tragedy does Macbeth represent?

The protagonist

The antagonist

The catharsis

2

What is the purpose of the repetition of the word 'blood'?

It is only important at this particular point in the play

Because Shakespeare could not think of any alternative words

It draws the audience's attention to the horror of what is happening and emphasises its importance

3

What does Macbeth fear from the birds that are mentioned in his speech?

That they will attack him

That they will reveal his secrets

That they are in danger of extinction

4

What part of Freytag's five-act structure has been reached at this point in the play?

The catastrophe

The climax

The exposition

5

What poetic structure is being used here?

Prose

Rhyming couplets

Blank verse

Read this extract in which Macbeth has just returned from killing King Duncan. then answer the questions which follow.

MACBETH: Methought I heard a voice cry, "Sleep no more:

Macbeth does murder sleep", the innocent sleep,

Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care,

The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath,

Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course,

Chief nourisher in life’s feast.

LADY MACBETH: What do you mean?

MACBETH: Still it cried, "Sleep no more" to all the house;

"Glamis hath murdered sleep," and therefore Cawdor

Shall sleep no more: Macbeth shall sleep no more.

(Act 2 Scene 2)

6

Which is the key moment in the five-act dramatic structure which is being referred to in this extract?

The Witches' predictions

Duncan's murder

Lady Macduff's murder

7

What is the purpose of the repetition of the word 'sleep'?

It stresses to the audience that this is an important aspect of the play

Shakespeare could not think of any alternative words

It is only important at this particular point in the play

8

What type of imagery is used here with the expression 'the innocent sleep'?

Simile

Personification

Metaphor

9

What type of imagery is used here with the lines 'great nature's second course' and 'Chief nourisher in life's feast'?

Simile

Personification

Metaphor

10

What technical name is given to Lady Macbeth's interruption in this extract?

Soliloquy

Antithesis

Half line