Macbeth

FIRST WITCH: Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.
SECOND WITCH: Not so happy, yet much happier.
THIRD WITCH: Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none:
So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!
FIRST WITCH: Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!
MACBETH: Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more:
By Sinel's death I know I am thane of Glamis?
But how of Cawdor? the thane of Cawdor lives,
A prosperous gentleman? and to be king
Stands not within the prospect of belief,
No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence
You owe this strange intelligence, or why
Upon this blasted heath you stop our way
With such prophetic greeting? Speak, I charge you.
[Witches vanish]
BANQUO: The earth hath bubbles, as the water has,
And these are of them. Whither are they vanish'd?
MACBETH: Into the air? and what seem'd corporal melted
As breath into the wind. Would they had stay'd!
BANQUO: Were such things here as we do speak about?
Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner?
MACBETH: Your children shall be kings.
BANQUO: You shall be king.
MACBETH: And thane of Cawdor too: went it not so?

Part A
Which of the following statements best identifies an event foreshadowed in the passage and a possible theme it suggests?

A Banquo’s son will kill Macbeth’s; fate will eventually have its way.

B Banquo will not be king but will be better off than Macbeth, who will; power can have
a destructive effect.

C Macbeth and Banquo will fight over the crown; friendship is often forgotten in the
struggle for power.

D Macbeth and Banquo have gone mad; war and conflict can lead to mental as well as
physical damage.

Part B
Which of the following lines from the passage best supports your answer in Part A?

A FIRST WITCH: Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.

B THIRD WITCH: Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none

C BANQUO: Were such things here as we do speak about? Or have we eaten on the
insane root That takes the reason prisoner?

D BANQUO: You shall be king.