| Scene 1 Summary | Macbeth approaches the witchesSummon 3 apparitions armed head, bloody child, crowned childTell him to beware Macduff, reassure no one can harm him and that he won’t be overthrownWitches show him a line of kings in the image of BanquoMacbeth discovers Macduff has fled and decides to kill his family |
| Scene 2 Summary | Ross visits Lady MacduffTries to justify Macduff’s flightMessenger warns Lady Macduff to fleeMacbeth’s men kill her and her son |
| Scene 3 Summary | Macduff urges Malcolm to attack MacbethMalcolm tests Macduff and reveals his loyaltyKing of England provides a commander and troopsRoss arrives with news of the slaughterMacduff converts grief into desire for revenge |
| Apparition | false vision, supernatural |
| Helmeted Head | says the exact thing Macbeth is afraid of |
| Why does Macbeth have reason to be weary of Macduff? | He wasn’t at the feast |
| Bloody Child | No one can harm you |
| How does Macbeth respond to the Bloody Child? | I have nothing to be afraid of, but I will order Macduff’s murder just in case |
| Crowned Child | You will never be vanquished |
| Macbeth’s response to the Crowned Child is foreshadowed by what scene? | The discussion between Hecate and the witches |
| Why is Ross’ description of Macduff significant? | The words he used (wise, honorable) could be used to describe Macbeth as beginning of play |
| Why is Lady Macduff’s explanation of evil and good in the world significant? | It parallels earlier lines and themes of moral ambiguity and dualityfair is foul and foul is fairnothing is but what is not |
| How is Malcolm like Banquo? | Both were cautious and wise when dealing with suspicion |
| How is the English King a foil to Macbeth? | Macbeth wreaks havoc to his nation, causing deathKing of England has the power of healing |
| How does Macduff respond to the news? | He says he must first feel it like a man, letting out his emotions, before he can act like a man and seek vengeance |
| Which motif is prevalent throughout act 4 scene 2? How does this motif help characterize different individuals? | Bird qualities of birds help reader understand character |
| Who reassures Lady Macduff that her husband probably has good reason to leave Scotland? | Ross |
| When Lady Macduff is warned of approaching danger, she makes a wise observation about the world. | She feels she has done no evil, however, the world encourages good while believing good to be foolish, she should not try to act innocent |
| Who are the two principle characters in Act IV scene iii | Malcolm and Macduff |
| Malcolm tells Macduff, “It is myself I mean, in whom I know all the particulars of vice so grafted that, when they shall be opened, black Macbeth will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state esteem him as a lamb, being compared with my confineless harms” (61-6). | Malcolm compared to Macbeth would make the public view Macbeth as innocent |
| Malcolm goes on to name his own evil desires and his other negative traits. He explains, “Had I power, I should pour the sweet milk of concord into hell, uproar the universal peace, confound all unity on earth” (113-6). Motifs? | If I were king I would destroy order and peacemilk=femininity/innocence |
| What was Malcolm’s purpose in lying to Macduff? What is the result? | testing Macduff’s loyalty to Scotlandproved him to be honest trustworthy |
| Who arrives to break terrible news to Macduff? What is this news? How does Macduff respond? | Rosswife, children, servant murderedshocked |
| When Malcolm urges Macduff to “dispute it like a man” (259), what is Macduff’s response? How does this comment relate to masculinity and natural order? What does he imply a man should do? | before he acts he must feelhow a horrible thing could happen w/o heaven helpingtakes the blame, cries |
Macbeth Act 4
August 10, 2019