Macbeth : Act 4, scene 3

1. Macbeth: Act 4, scene 3 • Sophomore English / Mrs. Fairman • Quotes for supporting evidence

2. Do you view Macduff as a traitor or a hero? State your opinion first and why; then, find at least two lines to support your opinion. • Traitor? Reason and text • Hero? Reason and text

3. How and why does Malcolm misrepresent his own character to Macduff? Give several ways. (at least 3) Why does Malcolm choose to misrepresent himself to Macduff – what is his motive? *Find text to support your answer. Write and cite the line(s). • “It is myself I mean, in whom I know / All the particulars of vice so grafted…. Black Macbeth / will seem as pure as snow…” (4.3.61 – 66). (Macbeth will seem like an angel compared to me) • “I grant him bloody… / But there’s no bottom in my voluptuousness… / Better Macbeth / Than such a one to reign” (4.3.70 – 79). ( I am a man who takes advantage of women, better for Macbeth to rule.) • “A staunchless avarice that, were I king, / I should cut off the nobles for their lands, / Desire his jewels, and his other’s house…” (4.3.93 – 95). (I am so greedy that I would take all these items from another noble…) • Also (4.3.107 – 116). Malcolm is TESTING Macduff’s loyalty.

4. What point in the discussion does Malcolm begin to trust Macduff?*Find text to support your answer. Write and cite the line(s). • “O, Scotland, Scotland….O nation miserable… My hope ends here! (4.3.117 – 132). (Trusting begins when Macduff shows that he is devastated at the future of Scotland due to the terrible ruling of Macbeth or how horrible a ruler Malcolm has portrayed himself to be.) • “Macduff, this noble passion, Child of integrity, hath from my soul, reconciled my thoughts / To thy good truth and honor…” (4.2.133 – 136). (Trust shown when Malcolm says he believes that Macduff truly loves Scotland and isn’t a “spy” sent by Macbeth in order to deceive Malcolm as Malcolm originally feared. Malcolm goes on to share with Macduff that all the things he said earlier about himself were untrue… he was testing Macduff’s loyalty to Scotland and to himself (Malcolm).

5. What do we learn about Macbeth as a ruler? How is Scotland under his rule?*Find text to support your answer for each part. Write and cite the line(s). • “Bleed, bleed, poor country!”(4.3.39). • “I think our country sinks beneath the yoke. / It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash / Is added to her wounds.” (4.3.48 – 51). • “O nation miserable, / With an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptered, / When shalt thou see wholesome days again…” (4.3.120 – 123).

6. What information does Ross give to Macduff? What is Macduff’s reaction? *Find text to support your answers for each part. Write and cite the line(s). • Ross tells Macduff that his wife and children have been murdered. (4.3.203 – 250) Especially “your castle is surprised, your wife and babes savagely slaughtered…” lines 240 – 241 • Macduff – overwhelming grief • Malcolm – says to use grief as fuel for anger (4.3.268 – 269)

7. What plans / next steps are discussed at the end of Act 4? Make a prediction for Act 5. *Find text to support your answer. Write and cite the line(s). • Macduff and Malcolm are aligned against Macbeth. Each man has significant motive to overthrow Macbeth. Allies with England to go and fight Macbeth. “Gracious England hath lent us good Siward and ten thousand men…” (4.3.219 – 220) • Your prediction for Act 5?

8. Questions? • What information is still confusing for you in Act 4, scene 3??