Macbeth by William Shakespeare NAME ________________________________________ Act IV, Scene 1 Setting: Characters: List EACH of the three prophecies including the speaker & the meaning (your prediction). 1. Apparition (Speaker): Prophesy: Possible Meaning: 2. Apparition (Speaker): Prophesy: Possible Meaning: 3. Apparition (Speaker): Prophesy: Possible Meaning: Act IV, Scene 2 Setting: Characters: Scene Summary: Bird Imagery: Act IV, Scene 3 – Summary Characters: Macduff, Malcolm / Ross enters later in scene Macduff has gone to England, where Malcolm has found support from both King Edward (the English king) and old Siward, the Earl of Northumberland and great English military leader. Background: Shakespeare is using this scene as a chance to appeal to his king, James I. In addition to his book about witchcraft, Daemonologie, James I also wrote about the qualities and attributes of a good king, a sort of “How to Be King for Dummies”. In this scene, Shakespeare uses the very qualities James I lists in his writings. (Oh, Shakespeare, you’re so clever!) 1) Macduff tries to recruit Malcolm; he needs him to return to Scotland and dethrone Macbeth by force. 2) Malcolm is not sure he can trust Macduff; he states that Macduff’s story may really be trap set by Macbeth. He says, “Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell: / Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, / Yet grace must still look so” (4.3.22-­‐24). 3) Macduff is about to leave in despair, thinking there is no hope for Scotland, but Malcolm stops him. Malcolm agrees that Scotland must be rescued from Macbeth, but also says, he himself would be a worse king that Macbeth. 4) Macduff says, that’s not possible: “Not in the legions / Of horrid hell can come a devil more damned / In evils to top Macbeth” (4.3.56-­‐58). 5) Malcolm goes on to give a lengthy explanation as to why he himself is so evil: • He tells of his “voluptuousness” or lust (all the women of Scotland couldn’t quench his desires). Macduff responds: Lust has ruined many a king, but don’t worry. Scotland has plenty of willing hotties for you. • He tells of his “staunchless avarice” or greed (he would take all of Scotland’s wealth for himself). Macduff responds: Hm, greed is much worse than lust, but don’t worry. There’s plenty of riches for you in Scotland. • Finally, he tells that he possesses every evil known to man. Macduff gives up! He says there is no hope for Scotland and is about to leave in utter despair. • Then Malcolm says: JUST KIDDING, Macduff! I’m actually NONE of those things! I’m really quite a good person. I’m not greedy, I’ve never told a lie (think George Washington), and what was the other thing...oh yeah, I’ve never been with a woman! So it’s all good! I can become king! And by the way, old Siward is going to fight along side me with 10,000 English soldiers. Let’s go take out Macbeth! Yeah! 6) Macduff is a bit confused by this whole episode, as you might expect, but he is resolved to go with Malcolm and dethrone Macbeth. Enter Ross. 7) Ross comes bearing bad news: Scotland is indeed in shambles. There is great unrest and suffering under Macbeth’s rule. Macduff asks for news of his family; Ross avoids giving a direct answer at first. 8) Finally, Ross tells Macduff how Macbeth has killed his entire family, his wife and all his children. Macduff uses the phrases “all my pretty chickens” to describe his family and “O hell-­‐kite” to describe Macbeth. (a bird of prey) 9) Malcolm advises Macduff to convert his grief to anger (4.3.228-­‐229). 10) The men leave to confront Macbeth. Malcolm states: “Macbeth / Is ripe for shaking, and the pow’rs above / Put on their instruments” (4.3.237-­‐239).