MacBeth Act IV

Witch 2 says, “By the pricking of my thumb, Something wicked this way comes.” Who comes? Macbeth.
What is Macbeth’s attitude towards the witches this time? Macbeth’s attitude towards the witches is demanding and is trying to take charge.
What four things did the witches show Macbeth? What does each/show say? What is Macbeth’s reaction? The four things the witches show Macbeth is an armed head, a bloody child, a crowned child with a tree in its hands, and eight kings followed by Banquo’s ghost. The armed head is to beware Macduff, the bloody child is to reveal to not be harmed by anyone “born of woman,” the crowned child with a tree in its hand shows to not be vanquished ’til Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane, and the 8 kings followed by Banquo’s ghost with a mirror represents Banquo’s descendants becoming the king in the future. Macbeth’s reaction reveals that he doesn’t like one about Banquo.
Macbeth says (about the witches), “infected the air whereon they ride, And damned all those that trust him!” What is Macbeth, in effect, saying about himself? What Macbeth is saying about himself is that he is in a bad situation. (Verbal Irony!)
Where is Macduff? Macduff is in England helping Malcolm raise an army.
Why does Macbeth have Macduff’s family and servants killed? Macbeth has Macduff’s family and servants killed because Macduff is not loyal to Macbeth, and he is angry.
Why does Lady Macduff’s son says liars and swearers are fools? Lady Macduff’s son says liars and swearers are fools because he implies that since there are more of them than honest people, they should get together and hang the honest people. They are foolish to leave themselves in jeopardy when they overcome the honest people.
Malcolm sats, “angels are bright still though the brightest fell. Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, Yet grace must still look so.” What does that mean? It means that the devil was once the brightest angel. The point is that things aren’t what they seem like and one can not “judge the book by its cover.” He also suggests that even though the brightest angel fell, other angels are still bright, and much not be judged according to the devil’s actions.
Macduff says, “Oh, Scotland, Scotland!” Why? Macduff says, “Oh, Scotland, Scotland” because Malcolm has told him what a horrid king Malcolm would be if he were on the throne instead of Macbeth. Between Malcolm and Macbeth, he fears for his country’s future.
What news does Ross being to Macduff? The news Ross beings of Macduff’s family murders and shock, blames himself, then outrage creeps asking “my wife” then “my kids” and swears vengeance on Macbeth.
July 17, 2019