“We are yet but young in deed…” (III, iv) Macbeth - Act Four “We are yet but young in deed…” (III, iv)

Role Reversal After the pivotal ‘banquet scene’, Macbeth visits the witches for a second time. He has decided he “will be satisfied”, and instructs them, “Deny me this, / And an eternal curse fall on you!” What do you notice here about the relationship between Macbeth and the witches? What does this reveal to us about the development of Macbeth’s character at this point?

Self-awareness Referring to the witches, Macbeth declares that “the air whereon they ride” is “infected”, and that “all those that trust them” are “damn’d”? What seems surprising or ironic about the way in which he describes the witches here? What does this reveal about his own tragic journey, and the stage he has now reached?

Macbeth the Tyrant Gathering safely in England, Malcolm and Macduff discuss Macbeth, and Malcolm refers to Macbeth as a “tyrant” who “was once thought honest”, and “whose sole name blisters our tongues”. How does this portrayal contrast with the way Macbeth was described at the outset of the play? What are the main characteristics Malcolm observes in the ‘new’ Macbeth?

The brows of grace In discussion with Macduff in England, Malcolm makes this observation: “Thought all things foul would wear the brows of grace, / Yet grace must still look so.” What does Malcolm mean by this, and what has led him to say so? Of what other quotations elsewhere in the play do these words remind you and why?

Wounded Scotland In exile, Malcolm and Macduff discuss their native Scotland, which Malcolm says “sinks beneath the yoke”: “It weeps, it bleeds; and each new day a gash / Is added to her wounds.” What do you notice about the way in which Shakespeare has Malcolm describe Scotland? How do these words reflect upon Macbeth’s recent reign?

Hellhound Even before Macduff hears of Macbeth’s murder of his wife and children, he is unequivocal in his condemnation of Macbeth: “Not in the legions / Of horrid hell can come a devil more damn’d / In evils to top Macbeth.” What does Macduff mean by this? How does this compare and/or contrast with language used by or about Macbeth previously?

Macbeth’s Sins In discussion with Macduff in exile, Malcolm describes Macbeth as “bloody, / Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, / Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin / That has a name.” What evidence can you find in the play so far for each of these sins?

Nation Miserable Describing the “nation miserable” of Scotland to Malcolm, Macduff says it is “bloody-scepter’d” with an “untitled Tyrant”. He also asks, “When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again?” What do we learn here of Macduff’s views about a) Macbeth; and b) Scotland?

Alas, poor country! When he arrives to give Macduff and Malcolm news about Scotland, Ross mourns the state of his “poor country”, which he says is “almost afraid to know itself”. He observes that “It cannot / Be call’d our mother, but our grave...” What does Ross mean here? What dramatic climate is Shakespeare trying to establish in this scene?

Revenge After Macduff has heard the news of his wife and children’s murder, Malcolm tries to comfort him with this advice: “Let’s make us medicines of our great revenge, / To cure this deadly grief”. What function do these words serve at this point in the structure of the play? How does this fit with the initial words of the witches - “Fair is foul” etc.?

The powers above At the end of Act Four, Malcolm declares that “Macbeth / Is ripe for shaking”, and also, of equal importance, that “the powers above / Put on their instruments”. What is Malcolm saying about the events which will follow? What is the significance of his comments about “the powers above”?