MACBETH STUDY GUIDE
Name: _____________________
Hour: ______________
Act
IV
The witches show Macbeth three apparitions which warn him to beware Macduff,
promise him that "none of woman born shall harm Macbeth," and assure him he will
remain safe until Birnam Wood moves. He feels comforted by these prophecies
without seeing their double meaning but is shaken by a vision of Banquo and his eight
descendants. (I.)
Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty to Scotland, and they plan strategy with English forces
to oust Macbeth. (iii.) Meanwhile, Macbeth has Lady Macduff and all her children
slain. (ii.)
Scene I
1. What seems to be the significance of the burning cauldron to the action of the
play?
Represents magic and evil
2. What does Macbeth demand of the witches?
Answer whatever he asks
3. Imagery can be used to stir emotions and re-create sensory experience. Images of
blood, ill-fitting clothing, and babies and children are used to reinforce important
themes in the play. How does each apparition shown to Macbeth on pages 364365 connect to this imagery?
1st apparition: An armed head (symbol of Macduff)
Images of war both OPEN and CLOSE the play
2nd apparition: A bloody child (blood is symbolic of revenge and murder/ the
child is symbolic of the future)
3rd apparition: Crowned child (symbol of Malcolm that reoccurs)
4. Why do you think Macbeth readily accepts these predictions?
Prophesies of Cawdor and crown have already come true
5. In lines 100-103, what is still bothering Macbeth? Why do you think the witches
don’t want to give him this information?
Banquo’s descendents might still be kings
Witches want Macbeth to be overconfident?
Worried he could change the plan?
6. What does Macbeth learn from the images of the eight kings?
Banquo’s descendents will reign. The last one has a mirror showing 8 more
kings and more than one country ruled by the 8 kings.
7. What is Macbeth’s attitude toward murdering Macduff and his family? What
does this say about him at this point in the play?
He is cold-blooded. The first murder was for ambition/greed. The
subsequent murders were to secure his throne. And, now this murder is pure
revenge.
8. Macbeth interprets these images as proof that he can’t be touched. With this in
mind, how are the murders of Macduff and his family even worse than the other
killings he has ordered/ committed?
These killings are worse. If he truly believes that he cannot be touched, the
murders are unnecessary. They gain him nothing and are against innocent
people who pose him no threat.
Scene II
9. On page 367, Lady Macduff disagrees with Macduff’s choice to flee. Why?
She thinks her husband should stay with his family. She might be concerned
that he will be called a traitor. She believes he has betrayed the family by
leaving.
10. Lady Macduff uses bird imagery to describe their situation. Explain what she
means by this metaphor.
Compares herself to a wren (small bird) that appears vulnerable but will
fiercely protect its children.
11. Where has Macduff gone and how will Macbeth get revenge against him?
Fled to England. Macbeth plans the murder of his family.
12. Unlikely characters often reveal cleverness in Shakespeare’s plays. On page 368,
what wise comments does the son make concerning liars and swearers?
Shakespeare juxtaposes (contrasts) childlike innocence with a mature
perspective. Is he making a statement on the wisdom of children?
13. What is the Messenger’s advice to Lady Macduff and her son?
Flee—danger is coming!
14. What does the murder of Macduff’s family suggest about Macbeth’s state of
mind?
Revengeful—killing is worse because they are no threat to him
It seems that killing has become easier for Macbeth. He no longer feels any
guilt and kills without conscience.
Scene III
15. How do the comments of the prince, Malcolm, and Macduff show a contrast
between the two men?
Malcolm is more sentimental and emotional. Macduff is a warrior without
weakness, it seems.
16. How is Malcolm’s comment in line 14 ironic?
Malcolm says that Macduff has not yet suffered an emotional/personal loss
such as he did (Remember, neither have learned of the murder of Macduff’s
family at this point).
17. In lines 37-49, what images does Malcolm use to describe Scotland?
Wooden Yokes
Weeping
Bleeding wounds
18. What do these images imply about Macbeth’s rule over Scotland?
Wooden Yokes: a heavy burden
Weeping: sorrow
Bleeding wounds: pain
19. Starting on page 372, what two flaws does Malcolm claim to have that would
make him a poor king?
Avarice or Greed and Lust
20. Macduff tells Malcolm, “All these [flaws] are portable, with other graces
weighted.” What does this mean? (page 373)
Macduff considers avarice to be worse than lust—Scotland can afford to
satisfy his greed in light of his other virtues.
21. What are some recurring themes/ ideas of the play found in lines 102-117?
Tyrant
There are no secrets here—
Blood
both Malcolm and Macduff
Child
are honest and speak openly
Black
with one another.
Devilish
22. In lines 116-137, after hearing Malcolm’s list of flaws, Macduff bemoans
Scotland’s fate. At this point, Malcolm changes his attitude entirely. By the end
of Malcolm’s speech, what does he decide to do?
Macduff leaves Scotland in despair of it ever righting itself with Malcolm in
power. Malcolm believes that Macduff is sincere and true to Scotland. He
tells Macduff that the things he said were lies in order to test his loyalty.
1.
2.
3.
TARGETS
Recognize cause/ effect of a character’s actions. (3.1.2)
Identify how soliloquy, dialogue, and dramatic irony reveal characters. (3.2.3)
Understand and apply author’s themes of ambition and chaos vs. order. (3.1.9)
23. On page 375, what lines let the audience know that Ross wants Malcolm to
overthrow Macbeth? (Write these out; don’t put just the line numbers.)
Now is the time for help (l.185-188)
Tyrant
24. When Ross tells Macduff that “they [his family] are at peace,” how could this be
viewed as the truth?
They are at peace (like Duncan, they are dead and at peace)
RIP
25. After Macduff learns the fate of his family, how are his disbelief and then sorrow
reflected in his dialogue?
He keeps asking who had been killed as if he doesn’t understand—it’s just
too horrible to believe. He then goes from disbelief and grief to sorrow and
then FURY.