pp. 193–277

Act IV

Introduction
Scene I
• In preparation for
Macbeth’s visit, the witches create a horrible brew in their cauldron.

Introduction
Scene I
• Macbeth enters and charges them to answer his questions, even if nature is destroyed in the process.

Introduction
Scene I
• The witches conjure a show of apparitions.
• An armed head
• A bloody child
• A crowned child bearing a tree

Introduction
Scene I
• He believes he is supernaturally immune to death at the hands of another.
• He inquires about
Banquo’s prophecy.

Introduction
Scene I
• The witches respond with a pantomime representing the line of kings.
• They mock him, dance for him, and vanish.

Introduction
Scene I
• Lennox tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled.
• He determines that his hand will never neglect to do what his mind purposes.

Introduction
Scene I
• To begin with, he will murder Macduff’s wife and offspring.

Introduction
Scene II
• Ross explains and tries to defend to
Lady Macduff and her son the recent flight of Macduff.

Introduction
Scene II
• The boy and his mother bandy words tenderly before a messenger enters to warn them of approaching danger.

Introduction
Scene II
• Before they can flee, murderers enter to stab the boy and pursue his mother off stage.

Introduction
Scene III
• In England Malcolm and Macduff commiserate concerning the fate of
Scotland under
Macbeth.

Introduction
Scene III
• Malcolm tests
Macduff’s loyalty.
• Macduff angrily denounces him.
• Malcolm ends the ruse.

Introduction
Scene III
• They will join forces against Macbeth.
• An English Doctor describes King
Edward’s miraculous healing power.

Introduction
Scene III
• Ross hesitantly delivers the sad news of the slaughter of
Macduff’s family.

Introduction
Scene III
• A stunned Macduff rebukes himself for their sacrifice and prays to heaven for vengeance.

Introduction
Scene III
• Malcolm declares that their forces are ready to challenge Macbeth.

Thought and
Discussion
1. How does Macbeth show his desperation in his encounter with the witches in Scene i?

Thought and
Discussion
1. Why does Macbeth fail to recognize the duplicity in the apparitions’ statements?

Thought and
Discussion
1. How does he plan to
“make assurance double sure” in regard to
Macduff?

Thought and
Discussion
2. Discuss the abrupt change in tone introduced by the word
yet in Scene i, line 100.
How do you account for this change?

Thought and
Discussion
2. Why is Macbeth discouraged by the show of eight kings?

Thought and
Discussion
3. How does Macbeth’s speech in lines 144–56 of Scene i reveal the further moral deterioration of
Macbeth?

Thought and
Discussion
3. In what way does his motivation for Macduff’s murder differ from his motivation for the first two murders?

Thought and
Discussion
4. Although young
Macduff playfully reacts to his mother’s teasing about his father’s treason, . . .

Thought and
Discussion
4. how does he react to the First Murderer’s accusation in line 78 of
Scene ii?

Thought and
Discussion
4. In what manner does he face death, and how is his resistance similar to his father’s most recent actions.

Thought and
Discussion
5. In Scene iii what vices does Malcolm falsely attribute to himself? What virtues does he say he lacks?

Thought and
Discussion
5. According to lines
130–31 what in actuality is Malcolm’s first lie?

Thought and
Discussion
5. Why do you think he speaks of himself in such a derogatory manner?

Thought and
Discussion
5. Do you feel that
Macduff had a sufficient motive for leaving his family to go to England?

Type assignment here.