Name____________________________ Block ______Date__________ Unit: Shakespeare/Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare—ACT IV
Read the drama The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Then, reread the lines indicated
with each question below. Answer each question, citing text evidence.
1.
Sc. 1, Lines 1–21: Describe the mood that is established in the scene description and stage direction at
the beginning of Scene 1. What elements help to create that mood? What tone might readers expect in
the dialogue that follows? How does the stage direction further readers’ understanding of the witches?
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2. Sc. 1, Lines 1–21: What is the repeated couplet in the witches’ dialogue? What point or idea does the
couplet express?
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3. Sc. 1, Lines 50–61: What images does Macbeth use in his speech?
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4. Sc. 1, Lines 50–61: Who does Macbeth say can set loose these storms?
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5. Sc. 1, Lines 50–61: What does this speech suggest about Macbeth? How does the speech support a
theme?
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6. Sc. 1, Lines 69–94: What might the armed head, or head wearing armor, symbolize?
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7. Sc. 1, Lines 69–94: Which part of the text here is related to the second apparition that may give
Macbeth a false sense of security?
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8. Sc. 1, Lines 69–94: What does the third apparition represent? How might the apparition’s words affect
Macbeth? How might the symbolism of the three apparitions foreshadow future events related to a
theme?
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9. Sc. 1, Lines 97–105: What text reflects Macbeth’s ego and ambition?
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10. Sc. 1, Lines 97–105: Recall the witches’ prophecy to Banquo in Act 1, Scene 3. Make an inference about
what is going through Macbeth’s mind after seeing the apparitions of eight kings that look like Banquo.
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11. Sc. 1, Lines 141–154: Describe Macbeth’s reaction to the news that Macduff has fled to England. What
does Macbeth say he will do from now on, and what action is he planning to take?
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12. Sc. 1, Lines 150–153: Why does Macbeth decide to kill Macduff’s family?
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13. Sc. 1, Lines 144–154: What does Macbeth’s speech reveal about his changing character? How does his
speech develop a theme of the drama?
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14. Sc. 2, Lines 3–17: Identify and explain the irony in these lines. Why does Lady Macduff tell her son that
his father is dead, even though the boy heard her discussion with Ross?
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15. Sc. 2, Lines 32–50: What evidence of the son’s maturity is in these lines? Describe the son’s character in
one or two words.
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16. Sc. 2, Lines 69–79: Paraphrase Lady Macduff’s thoughts about “this earthly world.” What theme
developing since Act I do the ideas in this soliloquy support?
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17. Sc. 2, Lines 69–79: Describe how the son feels about his father.
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18. Sc. 3, Lines 2–8: What is ironic about Macduff’s speech?
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19. Sc. 3, Lines 8–17: Explain the irony in Malcolm’s speech.
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20. Sc. 3, Lines 44–102: What kind of king does Malcolm claim he would be? Why would he admit to this
huge character flaw?
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21. Sc. 3, Lines 73–110: Summarize the conversation between Macduff and Malcolm. Does Macduff seem
honorable? Why or why not?
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22. Sc. 3, Lines 114–132: At what point does the audience know Malcolm has been testing Macduff all along?
Review lines 125–132. What qualities does Malcolm say he truly has?
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23. Sc. 3, Lines 141–159: What does the reader learn about King Edward from the doctor’s and Malcolm’s
speeches? Think about how Scotland under Macbeth’s rule can be used in an analogy to a sick patient.
Carry the analogy further to explain how King Edward’s healing powers may be related to conditions in
Scotland.
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24. Sc. 3, Lines 164–180: What series of events described by Ross will likely lead to a disastrous conclusion
for Macbeth? What cascade of character flaws in Macbeth has likely caused these events to unfold?
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25. Sc. 3, Lines 164–180: Explain the ambiguity of Macduff’s use of “at their peace” in line 179 and Ross’s
response of “at peace” in line 180.
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26. Sc. 3, Lines 200–224: Use the dialogue between Ross and Macduff to make inferences about these
characters’ feelings. How does Ross feel about having to tell Macduff about the murders of his wife
and children? How does Macduff feel about his family’s death?
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27. Sc. 3, Lines 200–224: How do Malcolm’s and Macduff’s ideas of manhood differ?
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28. Sc. 3, Line 238: What does Malcolm mean by this?
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