Plot Point

Question

Rank of Events
Rank the events from the list above from most significant to least significant
Reasoning
Explain the reasoning behind your ranking in a paragraph of 5-7 complete sentences.
Exposition
(Act 1)

• Macbeth and Banquo are brave soldiers who bring home victory for Scotland. Duncan is aware of their accomplishments and rewards them with new titles. Act 1, Scene 2

• The three strange sisters give Macbeth and Banquo some interesting news. Macbeth believes their words, but Banquo is skeptical about their visions. Act 1, Scene 3

• Macbeth has some hesitation about murdering the King of Scotland for his own benefit. He is thinking logically, but Lady Macbeth is thinking about what she would gain. Act 1, Scene 7

Answer 1

Plot Point Ranking:

1. Macbeth's hesitation about murdering the King of Scotland for his own benefit. Act 1, Scene 7
2. The three strange sisters give Macbeth and Banquo some interesting news. Act 1, Scene 3
3. Macbeth and Banquo are brave soldiers who bring home victory for Scotland. Duncan is aware of their accomplishments and rewards them with new titles. Act 1, Scene 2

Reasoning:

The most significant event is Macbeth's hesitation about murdering King Duncan, as it directly reveals his internal conflict and foreshadows the moral and psychological consequences of his eventual actions. This moment sets in motion the entire tragedy, as it highlights the theme of ambition versus morality, which is central to the play. The second significant event is the encounter with the three witches, which introduces the supernatural elements and propels Macbeth's ambition. Their prophecies plant the seeds of ambition in his mind, leading him to contemplate regicide. The least significant event is the recognition of Macbeth and Banquo's valor by King Duncan. While important for character development and setting the stage for Duncan's murder, it serves primarily as a backdrop to the personal ambitions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth rather than driving the plot forward. Thus, the ranking represents a progression from personal conflict to the external influences shaping Macbeth's fate.