Renaissance: Macbeth (by William Shakespeare)
Act Four Summary: Act Four begins with Macbeth’s demand that the witches show him his future. Three
apparitions appear. Macbeth assumes from them that he is safe from harm, but he decides that Macduff must be
killed. Ross defends Macduff’s decision to leave Scotland, but Lady Macduff questions her husband’s wisdom.
Shortly afterward, she and her children are killed. In England, Malcolm tests and finally allies himself with
Macduff for a battle against Macbeth. When Ross tells Macduff of his family’s murder, Macduff vows to kill
Macbeth.
1. Using a Venn Diagram, compare and contrast the prophecies in Act 4, scene 1 to those in Act One, scene 3.
 In what ways are the prophecies in this scene different from the prophecies in Act One?
 In both scenes, do the witches deliver their prophecies to Macbeth in the same way?
 In what ways has Macbeth’s relationship with the witches changed?
2. Reread lines 79–81 (Act 4, scene 1). Note the prophecy’s apparent promise of safety. What effect do you
think the prophecy will have on Macbeth?
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3. In lines 82–86 (Act 4, scene 1), how do Macbeth’s words prove that his ambition is ruthless?
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4. In lines 94–105 (Act 4, scene 1), what does Macbeth’s final question reveal about his ambition?
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5. At the end of scene 1, in lines 144–156, what news has Lennox just brought to Macbeth?
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6. Reread lines 144–149. What seems to be Macbeth’s rationale for striking impulsively against Macduff?
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7. How does the murder of Duncan show that Macbeth has not always been governed by impulse? Trace
Macbeth’s behavior from that point to this one.
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8. Explain how Macbeth’s statement about damning all those who trust the witches (line 139) is ironic.
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9. In lines 3–14 (Act 4, scene 2), why is Lady Macduff upset?
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10. In what sense are Lady Macduff’s comments about her husband ironic?
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11. What do the messenger’s words in lines 61–69 (Act 4, scene 2) reveal about how Macbeth’s ambition has
affected Scotland as a whole?
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12. Reread Lady Macduff’s speech in lines 69–75: I know that in this world, doing harm is frequently rewarded,
and doing good is sometimes considered dangerous stupidity-- paraphrased). How have some of the characters
in the drama reflected her conclusions about “this earthly world”?
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13. What is ironic about Macduff’s speech in lines 2–8 (Act 4, scene 3)?
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14. In lines 44–66 (Act 4, scene 3), how does Malcolm compare his supposed ambition to Macbeth’s? What
does Malcolm reveal about his own character with such talk?
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15. In lines 66–100 (Act 4, scene 3), how does Macduff respond to Malcolm’s confession of lust?
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16. What does Malcolm say about his greed? How is Macduff’s response similar to his response to Malcolm’s
lust?
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17. In lines 114–137 (Act 4, scene 3), why does Malcolm pretend to be evil?
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18. How can the audience tell that the test of Macduff is now over?
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19. Review the list of “king-becoming graces” that Malcolm cites in lines 91–94. Which graces does Malcolm’s
speech demonstrate? Cite evidence.
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20. Reread lines 164–173 (Act 4, scene 3), in which the audience learns that in Macbeth’s bloody reign, screams
go unnoticed (are made, not marked) and violent sorrow has become commonplace (modern ecstasy). What
emotions does Macbeth inspire as a tragic hero at this point?
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21. How does Shakespeare create suspense as the Act 4, scene 3 builds toward its climax?
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22. In lines 187–193 (Act 4, scene 3), what does Ross think would fuel the ambition of the people of Scotland to
fight against Macbeth?
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23. What does Malcolm say to reassure Ross that such an ambition will be defended?
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24. What event does Macduff’s speech in lines 233–238 (Act 4, scene 3) foreshadow?
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25. In Act 4, Macduff fled Scotland for England. What did he hope to gain by this action?
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26. Compare Lady Macbeth with Lady Macduff. How are the characters similar? How do they differ? Cite
specific evidence from the play to support your ideas.
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