About how long a time is involved in the entire play? Which scenes follow one another without loss of time, and which do not?
From the various hints given, what impression do you get of the conditions of life in Scotland at the time of the play? (I, 2, 20-24; I, 4, 37-38; III, 2, 22-26.)
How is external nature used to heighten the effect made by the witches?
In what other instances is nature used to heighten the effect? (I, 5; II, 1, etc.)
Plot.—What is the purpose of the introductory scene? Compare it with the opening scene in each of the other plays that you have studied.
At what point is the introduction of the plot, or the "exposition," complete?
What evidence is there that Macbeth had planned before the opening of the play for the murder of Duncan? (I, 3, 51-52; I, 7, 47-53.)
What three incidents help to his success? (I, 4, 42-43; II, 3, 112-113; II, 4, 25-26.)
By what means does Shakespeare make the murder of Duncan very effective in moving the audience, even though the actual deed is committed off the stage?
What facts necessary for the reader to know are brought out in the last scene of Act II?