1. Macbeth Scene Summary Preparing for Battle in England: Act IV, Scene 3 Guiding Question: How does this scene, in which Macbeth is not present, emphasize Macbeth’s tragic flaws?

2. IV.3: Ross Brings News to Macduff Scene: A battlefield camp in England, where Malcolm and Macduff are preparing for war against Macbeth, with the help of the English king and an English lord, Siward. Ross arrives from Scotland.

3. Macduff and Malcolm Talk Malcolm mistrusts Macduff. Malcolm tests Macduff. Malcolm lists the vices of a terrible king and then the virtues of an ideal king. (These are from a book written by King James.)

4. The Holy Powers of the English King A doctor arrives and Malcolm asks if the king is coming. The doctor explains that he is busy healing crowds of people who have a disease that medicine cannot cure, but his touch can. "To the succeeding royalty he leaves / The healing benediction. With this strange virtue, / He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy, / And sundry blessings hang about his throne, / That speak him full of grace."

5. Ross Arrives from Scotland He is not recognized at first because it has been so long since Macduff and Malcolm as seen him. He tells that things are as bad as ever in Scotland - horrible things are happening, Macbeth at fault for all of them. At first, he tells Macduff that his wife and children are "peaceful." But then, shares the dreadful truth...

6. Macduff's Grief Malcolm: Dispute it like a man. Macduff: But I must also feel it as a man.

7. Macbeth - the tragic hero In your Literary Devices packet (the long list) look up “foil.” Discuss with your group: In what ways is Malcolm set up as a foil for Macbeth in this scene? In what ways is Macduff set up as a foil for Macbeth? What tragic flaws does each emphasize?