Act II Scene IV By: Zack, Ashley, Tasha and Nick

Summary Enter Ross and the Old Man. The Sun has not risen and a series of unnatural events follow on the day after Duncan’s murder. The dead king’s sons have fled and Duncan is taken to burial.

Purpose Creates an atmosphere of an uncertain hope in the midst of chaos: ‘Macduff: Well, may you see things well done there: adieu Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!’ (49-50) Theme: ‘fair is foul, and foul is fair’ (I.i.11) ‘Old Man: That would make good of bad and friends of foes!’ (53)

Purpose Sets up plot development: Macbeth is to be king, Macduff will not attend the coronation, making a political statement, and chaos is seen to be coming. ‘Macduff: No, cousin, I’ll to fife.’ (47) Character development: Macduff’s hatred sparks

How the Scene Works With… Pathetic Fallacy : ‘Ross: And Duncan’s horses- a thing most strange and certain Old Man: Tis said they eat each other’ (16-22) ‘ Ross: is’t night’s predorninance, or the day’s shame, that darkness does the face of earth entomb, when living light should kiss it?’ (9-11) Atmosphere, ‘Macduff: Well, may you see things well done there: adieu Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!’ (49-50)

How the Scene Works Theme, ‘Old Man: That would make good of bad and friends of foes!’ (53) By echoing the scene before, ‘Macduff: Malcom, and Donalbain, the king’s two sons, are stol’n away and fled, which puts upon them suspicion of the deed.’ (33-35) And by revealing new information