“Macbeth” – Act IV Q/A hand out

Ques 1-5 1) The contents of the witches pot (cauldron0 are Torn up parts which is showing the theme of dismemberment 2) Symbolically, Scotland (Macbeth’s kingdom) is torn apart. 3) “Something wicked this way comes” - Macbeth – He must be more evil than the witches. 4) Unnatural events equate to perilous times - Winds, sea swallows ships; castles and pyramids crumble; crops are destroyed. He wants to get an answer on final prophecies from the witches, no matter the cost. 5) “How thou black and midnight hags” - The witches do not impress him – He is sarcastic towards them. 6) Macbeth’s only interest - Personal gain 7) Witches refuse to placate Macbeth – They will not explain the prophecies nor get rid of Banquo’s ghost. 8)Prophecies: 1 st apparition – An armed head – “Beware of Macduff!” 9) “Had I thee ears, I’d hear thee” – Reference to the ears is that he might not trust the apparition. 10) Macbeth keeps asking questions bc/ He’s under the witches’ influence. 11) 3 rd – Crowned child w/ a tree in hand – Trees have to march to the castle; He’s even more overconfident. 12) Macbeth’s mood swing - Excitement to determination to stay on the throne. 13) When he curses the witches, Macbeth trusts the witches with their so he is damning himself. 14) Banquo is bloody; Causes Macbeth more anxiety 15) Lennox’s message - Macduff has gone to England to raise an army to overthrow Macbeth. 16) Objects of Macbeth’s next murder - Macduff, his family, and all of those in his castle. 17) Lady Macduff feels betrayed bc/ Macduff went to ENG, but he’s trying to protect his family and Scotland. 18) Macduff’s son is trapped. Seems defenseless which remind us that Macbeth intends to murder Macduff’s family. (Bird images and the traps – Gin, lime dust) 19) Messenger comes to announce arrival of murderers - For suspense 20) Thematic idea for the death of Macduff’s wife and children: 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 – Murder the family not source 22) The Test of conversation: 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.

Ques ) Personal gain 7) Witches – They will not explain the prophecies nor get rid of Banquo’s ghost. 8) 1 st apparition – An armed head – Beware of Macduff! 9) He might not trust the apparition. 10) He’s under the witches’ influence. 11) 3 rd – 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 ) 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 ) 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 , 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.

Ques ) 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.

Ques ) “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) Macduff’s family has been murdered.

Ques ) “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 ) Act on his feelings and get revenge on Macbeth 34) The time has come for Macbeth to be defeated/killed. 35) Macbeth’s reign will soon give to peace like night gives way to day.