“Macbeth” – Act IV

Q/A hand out

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 26) Who is Macduff loyal to, Scotland or Macbeth? – Wants to accomplish the fortifying of forces against Macbeth.27) Macduff describes himself as uninterested in possessions – faithful, loyal, truthful.

• 28) Battle strategy – Siward (Britain’s best warrior) and 10,000 men will march on Macbeth’s castle.

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. • 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) Ross’s news: Macduff’s family has been murdered.• 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 once

• 33) Malcolm motivating Macduff: Act on his feelings and get revenge on Macbeth• 34) Falling action: The time has come for Macbeth to be defeated/killed.• 35) (Paraphrased) – Darkest before the night gives way to day - Macbeth’s reign will soon

give to peace.•

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) Ross’s news: Macduff’s family has been murdered.• 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.

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.

Ques. 33-35

• 33) Malcolm motivating Macduff: Act on his feelings and get revenge on Macbeth

• 34) Falling action: The time has come for Macbeth to be defeated/killed.

• 35) (Paraphrased) – Darkest before the night gives way to day - Macbeth’s reign will soon give to peace.