Doe 1
Jane Doe
Ms. Reeve
English 12, Period __
18 October 2013
Act IV , Sc I A Witches’ Haunt
The Scottish Play
Reaction/ Analysis / Connections
Synopsis: Macbeth approaches the witches to learn how to make his kingship secure. In
response they summon for him three apparitions: an armed head, a bloody child, and
finally a child crowned, with a tree in his hands. These apparitions instruct Macbeth to
beware Macduff but reassure him that no man born of woman can harm him and that he
will not be overthrown until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane. Macbeth is greatly
reassured, but his confidence in the future is shaken when the witches show him a line of
kings all in the image of Banquo. After the witches disappear, Macbeth discovers that
Macduff has fled to England and decides to kill Macduff’s family immediately.
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[Enter Hecate and the other three
witches]
 “Something wicked this way comes.”
Second Witch, line 45
 How now, you secret, black, and midnight
hags! What is’t you do?” Macbeth, lines
48 & 49
 “Though you untie the winds and let
them fight Against the churches; though
the yesty waves Confound and swallow
navigation up; Though bladed corn be
lodged and trees blown down; Though
castles topple in their warders’ heads;
Though palaces and pyramids do slope
Their heads to their foundations; though
the treasure Of nature’s germens tumble
all together, Even till destruction sicken,
answer me” Macbeth, lines 52-60
 “Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware
Macduff! Beware the Thane of Fife.
Dismiss me: enough.” First Apparition,
lines 71 & 72
 “Seek to know no more” All, line 103
 [A show of either KINGS and BANQUO,
last KING with a glass in his hands]
 “That twofold balls and treble scepters
carry:” Macbeth, line 121
 The castle of Macduff I will surprise; Seize
upon Fife; give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword His
wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls
That trace him in his line. No boasting like
a fool;” Macbeth, lines 150-153
Act IV, Sc 2 Macduff’s Castle
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“What had he done, to make him fly the
land?” Lady Macduff, line 1
“Then the liars and swearers are fools; for
there are liars and swearers enow to beat
the honest men and hang up them.”
Son, lines 54-56

Ross visits Lady Macduff and tries to justify to her Macduff’s flight to England, a flight that
leaves his family defenseless. After Ross leaves, a messenger arrives to warn Lady Macduff
to flee. Before she can do so, Macbeth’s men attack her and her son.
Doe 2

“Be not found here: hence, with your
little ones.” Messenger, line 67
Act IV, Sc 3 England. Before the king’s Palace
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“This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our
tongues, Was once thought honest: you
have loved him well; He hath not touched
you yet. I am young; but something”
Malcolm, lines 12-14
“It is myself I mean, in whom I know All
the particulars of vice so grafted That,
when they shall be opened, black
Macbeth Will seem as pure as snow, and
the poor state Esteem him as a lamb,
being compared With my confineless
harms.” Malcolm, lines 50-54
That has a name: but there’s not bottom,
none, In my voluptuousness: your wives,
your daughters” Malcolm, lines 60 & 61
“A stanchless avarice that, were I king,”
Macduff, line 78
“The sword of our slain kings. Yet do not
fear. Scotland hath foisons to fill up your
will Of your mere own. All these are
portable, With other graces weighed.”
Macduff, lines 87-90
“Acting in many ways, Nay, had I pow’r, I
should Pour the sweet milk of concord
into hell, Uproar the universal peace,
confound All unity on earth.”Malcolm,
lines 97-99
“Whither indeed, before thy hereapproach, Old Siward, with ten thousand
warlike men, Already at a point, was
setting forth.” Malcolm, 133-135
“What’s the disease means?” Macduff,
line 146
“’Tis called the evil:” Malcolm, line 147
“And I must be from thence!” Macduff,
line 212
“Put of their instruments. Receive what
cheer you may. The night is long that
never finds the day.” Malcolm, lines 239
& 240
Macduff finds Malcolm at the England court and urges him to attack Macbeth at once.
Malcolm suspects that Macduff is Macbeth’s agent sent to lure Malcolm to his destruction
in Scotland. After Malcolm tests Macduff and finds him sincere, Malcolm reveals that
Edward, king of England, has provided a commander (Siward) and ten thousand troops for
the invasion of Scotland. Ross then arrives with the news of the slaughter of Macduff’s
entire household. At first grief-stricken, Macduff follows Malcolm’s advice and converts his
grief into a desire to avenge himself on Macbeth.