Question 11 • English 2 Sem 2 (10013400) BCPS 2025-26
Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. The Macbeths are hosting a banquet, and Lady Macbeth is ashamed by Macbeth’s outburst.[Lady Macbeth.] [To MACBETH.] O! these flaws and starts—Impostors to true fear—would well becomeA woman’s story at a winter’s fire,Authoriz’d by her grandam.
Answer
A
It conveys that Macbeth is as silly as a woman who is scared of her own story.
B
It implies that Lady Macbeth thinks that Macbeth is acting like a child in need of a bedtime story.
C
It emphasizes that Lady Macbeth understands that Macbeth is deeply afraid of ghosts.
D
It suggests that Macbeth needs to relax with a warm fire and a hot drink.
Explanation
Lady Macbeth calls Macbeth’s sudden outbursts “impostors to true fear,” meaning they resemble real fear but are not genuine. She says such behavior would suit a woman telling a frightening story by a winter fire, as her grandmother once did. This mocks Macbeth by suggesting his reaction is as foolish or theatrical as someone being frightened by a story, rather than showing real courage.
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