Question 1 • English 2 Sem 2 (10013400) BCPS 2025-26
Read the passage from act 3, scene 1 of The Tragedy of Macbeth.Macbeth. Upon my head they plac’d a fruitless crown,And put a barren sceptre in my gripe,Thence to be wrench’d with an unlineal hand,No son of mine succeeding. If ’t be so,For Banquo’s issue have I fil’d my mind;For them the gracious Duncan have I murder’d;Put rancours in the vessel of my peaceOnly for them; and mine eternal jewelGiven to the common enemy of man,To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!
Answer
A
Macbeth’s conscience, which makes him feel guilty for having killed Duncan to become king
B
Macbeth’s childless state and the fact that he has no children to inherit his title
C
Macbeth’s marriage to Lady Macbeth, which has become strained in the wake of the murder
D
Macbeth’s desire to attain power at all costs, even if it means committing a crime
Explanation
Macbeth calls his crown “fruitless” and his sceptre “barren,” then says that no son of his will succeed him. These images refer to his childless state and his lack of an heir. He is troubled because he committed murder for Banquo’s descendants to become kings instead.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.