Sources for Macbeth Quiz.

Teachers Note's: In this quiz students explore background information on the play. It is useful as a starting point to engage student's interest and build their field knowledge before undertaking close study or reading the play. I usually get the kids to work in pairs and share their answers. I sometimes get them to check their answers with another pair and then do the quiz as an oral 'test'. At other times I've given them the links first and told them to find out as many facts about the play as they can in ten minutes, then in teams they have answered the questions. As with other online lessons, a printed copy of the questions and a time limit keep the lesson moving forward.

Questions

Explain why Macbeth would have signed his name 'Macbeth mac Findlaech'.
In what year did the real Macbeth defeat and kill Duncan I?
What actual event did Shakespeare use as the basis of this play?
How does Shakespeare use the feelings of King Kenneth in his characterisation of Macbeth?
Where did Shakespeare get the idea for the three witches?
How does Shakespeare's characterisation of Banquo differ from Holinshed's description?
List three differences between Shakespeare's story of Macbeth and the historical Macbeth
How long did the real Macbeth actually rule?
Explain why the real Macbeth might have had a good reason for killing the real Duncan?
Explain the usefulness of the idea of 'the divine right of kings'.

Links

The Real Macbeth and His Times

Shakespeare on Line: Sources for Macbeth

The True Story of Macbeth