Macbeth: Acts 4 and 5 English 12

Warm Up Why do you think the witches chose Macbeth? Was it random or was it planned?

Act 4, Scene 1 Watch Act 4, Scene 1 cartoon to review the action of the scene.

Act 4, Scene 1 Summary Witches performing their rituals/preparing for Macbeth’s arrival. Macbeth enters/asks the witches to reveal the truth of their prophecies to him The witches summon three ghosts or apparitions. First apparition: Floating head tells him to beware of Macduff

Act 4, Scene 1 Summary Second apparition: Bloody child- “none of woman born shall harm Macbeth” Third apparition: Crowned child holding a tree/ Macbeth is safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. Macbeth is shown a line of kings with Banquo at the end/demands to know the meaning but the witches vanish. Lennox enters/tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England/Macbeth sends people to capture his castle and kill his wife and children.

Act 4, Scene 2 Summary At Macduff’s castle, Lady Macduff asks Ross why her husband has fled Scotland/feels betrayed. Ross tells her to trust her husbands judgment and then leaves. Lady Macduff tells her son that his father is dead/he does not believe her. Messenger enters and warns Lady Macduff that she is in danger/She protests. Murderers enter and kill Lady Macduff and their young son.

Act 4, Scene 1 1. Why do you think Shakespeare decides to show us the witches performing their satanic rituals? (Page 370) Shakespeare does this to show the reader that the witches mischief against Macbeth is purely evil in nature and has been carefully planned.

Act 4, Scene 1 2. What do you think Macbeth will ask the witches? (Lines 60-61)  He will ask the witches about what his future holds.

Act 4, Scene 1 3. What do you think the apparition of the bloody child represents to Macbeth? (Lines 76-80) The bloody child tells Macbeth that he cannot be defeated by one of woman born. The fact that the child is bloody is a hint that a child born by Caesarian section, a much bloodier method of birth than the standard one, would be an exception to this rule.

Act 4, Scene 1 4. What do you think Macbeth will do after hearing the apparition’s predictions? (Lines 98-100) Macbeth will figure out a way to kill Macduff and his family.

Act 4, Scene 1 5. How does Macduff’s escape frustrate Macbeth’s plans? (Lines 141-142) It frustrates his plans because he cannot get to Macduff if he is in England being supported by Malcolm and King Edward. He will only be able to kill Macduff’s family, who still remains in Scotland.

Act 4, Scene 2 7. Why has Macduff fled Scotland without telling his wife? (Lines 1-3) He has fled without telling his wife for the safety of herself and their family. He feels like the less that they know, the safer they are.

Act 4, Scene 2 8. What do you think Macduff will do when he learns that his son has been murdered? (Lines 81-82) This question is open for interpretation. A possible answer: He will be devastated and will vow to take his revenge on Macbeth by any means necessary.

For the rest of the period… Complete Act 4 Vocabulary Worksheet and submit to the inbox.

Warm Up How do you think traitors should be dealt with? Why?

Act 4, Scene 3 Watch Act 4, Scene 3 and follow along in your book. Fill in the discussion questions as we go.