Apparitions | Visions created my the Witches. |
Lady Macduff | Macduff’s distraught wife |
Son | Macduff’s child |
How does Macbeth’s attitude differ from the first encounter with the witches? | He is more confident and is interested in what the witches have to say. |
What does this change in attitude show about the change in Macbeth’s character? | He is more expecting of greatness compared to the surprising news that one day he will be king in Act one. |
Explain how these are stereotypical witches. | Cast spells, product future, ugly. |
Discuss the apparitions so far in the play. | 1. A head with a helmet 2. A bloody child 3. A child wearing a crown holding a branch |
A head with a helmet | Beware Macduff |
A bloody child | No man born of woman can harm you. |
A child wearing a crown holding a branch | You will not be harmed until Birman wood moves toward Dansinane. |
Why does Macbeth readily accept the predictions made by the second and third apparitions? | He has become so obsessed with power that he is no longer reasonable and believed the unbelievable. |
When Macbeth insists on knowing what the future holds for Banquo’s children, how does the witches answer him? | Be careful what you wish for. |
In the witches’ procession of kings, why do some kings carry double and triple scepters? | The scepters represents ruling more than one country at one time. |
Why does Banquo’s ghost carry a mirror in relation to Macbeth’s last question to the witches? | To show a continuous blood line of kings from Banquo. |
What relationship do Macbeth and Macduff have at this time? Why? | They are enemies. Macduff believes Malcolm should be king. |
Hi has Macbeth become a ruthless, unfeeling person? Support your reasoning | His ambition drives him to kill innocent woman and children to get revenge on Macduff. |
How does the decision to kill Macduff’s family differ from his decisions to murder Duncan and Banquo? | His decision is no longer political and killing Macduff’s family is pure evil. |
Based on the conversation between lady Macduff and her son, what type of person is she? | She serves as a foil character to Lady Macbeth because she is loving, gentle, and innocent |
Compare the characters of lady Macduff to Lady Macbeth? Discuss their similarities and differences. | Lady Macbeth is cruel, fake, murderous, ambitious. Lady Macduff is loving, gentle, innocent. |
How does the dialogue between lady Macduff and her son affect the reader’s response to their murder? | It makes the murder more horrible and the audience hates Macbeth. |
How does Malcolm describe himself to Macduff in their conversation? | He is not the type of person to make a good king because: 1. Full of lust 2. Full of greed 3. No qualities to be king. |
Why does Malcolm misrepresent his character to Macduff ? | To test if he could be trusted |
What good news about “gracious England” does Malcolm tell Macduff? | King Edward and Siward have lent ten thousand troops to help overthrow Macbeth. |
What news does Ross bring Macduff about his family? | They were murdered by Macbeth assassins |
Why might Ross be reluctant to give Macduff the news? | Macduff will be devastated, Ross wants Macduff to focus on overthrowing Macbeth. |
What is the double meaning of the line: “No, they were well at peace when I did leave’em” | He is hinting that they are in peace because they are dead. |
How does Ross’s behavior build up the intensity of the scene? | The audience knows that Lady Macduff and her son are already dead. |
What advice does Malcolm give Macduff in order to control his grief and redirect his emotions? Why? | Act like a man, and turn your greed into anger. |
What does Macduff vow? Does he react the way people do in real life? Explain. | He will kill Macbeth on a one-on-one fight. |
The Tragedy of Macbeth Act 4
August 17, 2019