“Macbeth” – Act IV

1. “Macbeth” – Act IV Q/A hand out

2. Ques 1-5 • 1) The contents of the witches pot (cauldron0 are Torn up parts which is showing the theme of dismemberment 2) Symbolically, Scotland (Macbeth’s kingdom) is torn apart. • 3) “Something wicked this way comes” - Macbeth – He must be more evil than the witches. • 4) Unnatural events equate to perilous times - Winds, sea swallows ships; castles and pyramids crumble; crops are destroyed. He wants to get an answer on final prophecies from the witches, no matter the cost. • 5) “How thou black and midnight hags” - The witches do not impress him – He is sarcastic towards them. • 6) Macbeth’s only interest - Personal gain • 7) Witches refuse to placate Macbeth – They will not explain the prophecies nor get rid of Banquo’s ghost. • 8)Prophecies: 1st apparition – An armed head – “Beware of Macduff!” • 9) “Had I thee ears, I’d hear thee” – Reference to the ears is that he might not trust the apparition. • 10) Macbeth keeps asking questions bc/ He’s under the witches’ influence. • 11) 3rd – Crowned child w/ a tree in hand – Trees have to march to the castle; He’s even more overconfident. • 12) Macbeth’s mood swing - Excitement to determination to stay on the throne. • 13) When he curses the witches, Macbeth trusts the witches with their so he is damning himself. 14) Banquo is bloody; Causes Macbeth more anxiety • 15) Lennox’s message - Macduff has gone to England to raise an army to overthrow Macbeth. • 16) Objects of Macbeth’s next murder - Macduff, his family, and all of those in his castle. • 17) Lady Macduff feels betrayed bc/ Macduff went to ENG, but he’s trying to protect his family and Scotland. • 18) Macduff’s son is trapped. Seems defenseless which remind us that Macbeth intends to murder Macduff’s family. (Bird images and the traps – Gin, lime dust) 19) Messenger comes to announce arrival of murderers - For suspense • 20) Thematic idea for the death of Macduff’s wife and children: There’s no escape in a world where good deeds are overlooked and evil is rewarded. • 21) Shows the murder of Macduff’s son – the extent of Macbeth’s cruelty – Murder the family not source • 22) The Test of conversation: Malcolm thinks Macduff might be on the side of Macbeth • 23) Irony – Macduff’s family has already been killed when Malcolm says, “He’s not touched you yet.” • 24) Scotland is compared to a woman who has been stabbed – “Sinking beneath the yoke”; weeping and bleeding – Parallels the scene of Lady Macduff’s murder. • 25) Malcolm states that he is a worse villain than Macbeth; Testing Macduff’s loyalty.

3. Ques 6-12 • 6) Personal gain • 7) Witches – They will not explain the prophecies nor get rid of Banquo’s ghost. • 8) 1st apparition – An armed head – Beware of Macduff! • 9) He might not trust the apparition. • 10) He’s under the witches’ influence. • 11) 3rd – Crowned child w/ a tree in hand – Trees have to march to the castle; He’s even more overconfident. • 12) Excitement to determination to stay on the throne.

4. Ques. 13-17 • 13) Macbeth trusts the witches so he is damning himself. • 14) Banquo is bloody; Causes Macbeth more anxiety • 15) Macduff has gone to England to raise an army to overthrow Macbeth. • 16) Macduff, his family, and all of those in his castle. • 17) Lady Macduff feels betrayed bc/ Macduff went to ENG. He’s trying to protect his family.

5. Ques. 18-21 • 18) Macduff’s son is trapped. Seems defenseless which remind us that Macbeth intends to murder Macduff’s family. • 19) For suspense • 20) There’s no escape in a world where good deeds are overlooked and evil is rewarded. • 21) Shows the murder of Macduff’s son – the extent of Macbeth’s cruelty.

6. Ques. 22-25, scene 3 • 22) Malcolm thinks Macduff might be on the side of Macbeth. • 23) Irony – Macduff’s family has already been killed when Malcolm says, “He’s not touched you yet.” • 24) Scotland is compared to a woman who has been stabbed – “Sinking beneath the yoke”; weeping and bleeding – Parallels the scene of Lady Macduff’s murder. • 25) Malcolm states that he is a worse villain than Macbeth; Testing Macduff’s loyalty.

7. Ques. 26-28 • 26) Who is Macduff loyal to, Scotland or Macbeth? – Wants to accomplish the fortifying of forces against Macbeth. • 27) Describes himself as uninterested in possessions – faithful, loyal, truthful. • 28) Siward, a key British warrior, and 10,000 men will march on Macbeth’s castle.

8. Ques. 29-31 • 29) “our grave” – Macbeth continues to kill innocent people. • Murder of Duncan: Tragic, but grand • Murder of Banquo – Melodramatic, it didn’t have the “bite” of the Duncan murder. • Murder of Macduff’s family – Was ridiculous. • 30) Ross tells Macduff not to hate him for the bad news he is about to tell…ears/tongue is a synecdoche. • 31) Macduff’s family has been murdered.

9. Ques. 32 • 32) “Hell-kite” – Macbeth; “pretty chickens” – Macduff’s children; “dam” – Macduff’s wife; “at one fell swoop” – means that the murderers (Macbeth) killed Macduff’s family all at one time.

10. Ques. 33-35 • 33) Act on his feelings and get revenge on Macbeth • 34) The time has come for Macbeth to be defeated/killed. • 35) Macbeth’s reign will soon give to peace like night gives way to day.