Subjects · Leaving Cert English
Leaving Cert English: Macbeth
How often Macbeth comes up on the English papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.
HL Asked on 3 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026.
Quick ones on Macbeth.
- Malcolm
- Duncan
- Banquo
- His brother
- His wife
- His son Fleance
- England and Ireland
- Wales and Spain
- France and Norway
Show the answers
(a) Duncan
(b) His son Fleance
(c) England and Ireland
Higher Level
Asked on 3 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026.
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Single Text |
| 2025 | Not asked |
| 2024 | Not asked |
| 2023 | Single Text |
| 2022 | Not asked |
| 2021 | Not asked |
| 2019 | Single Text |
| 2018 | Not asked |
| 2017 | Not asked |
| 2016 | Not asked |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More Macbeth questions
Macbeth, 2 marks
Which goddess of witchcraft scolds the witches in Macbeth?
- Juno
- Diana
- Hecate
Show the answer
Hecate
She is angry that the witches dealt with Macbeth without her. Many scholars think her scenes were added by another writer, possibly Middleton.
Macbeth, 2 marks
Who chant 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair'?
- Duncan's sons
- The witches
- Macbeth and Banquo
Show the answer
The witches
The paradox sets up the theme of appearance versus reality; Macbeth echoes it in his first line, 'So foul and fair a day'.
Macbeth, 2 marks
Which title does Duncan give Malcolm, blocking Macbeth's path to the throne?
- Prince of Cumberland
- Thane of Fife
- Duke of Albany
Show the answer
Prince of Cumberland
The title names Malcolm as heir, so Macbeth calls it a step he must 'o'erleap' — a key moment in his ambition.