Sentry Page Protection
MACBETH:
act 4
SETTING
A cavern.
A cavern.
SUMMARY
Act 4, scene 1: The three witches dance around their cauldron, throwing in ingredients like the scale of a dragon, a wolf’s tooth, a goat’s bile, etc, to make the potion thick and gooey. While they are adding and mixing the ingredients, they would chant ‘double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble’. The second witch then declares that she can tell that something wicked is coming, then Macbeth enters and demands that the witches tell him what he wants to know. They pour additional substances into the cauldron, for example the sweat of a murderer. The first apparition then appears and tells Macbeth that he should beware MacDuff. A second apparition then appears, looking like a bloody child, and declares that no man born of a woman can harm Macbeth, so he should be violent, bold, and firm. Upon hearing this, Macbeth decides to kill MacDuff so that he can sleep easily. The third apparition then tells Macbeth to be brave and proud because Macbeth will never be defeated until Birnam Wood marches to fight him at Dunsinane Hill. Macbeth is very pleased to hear this because a forest, Birnam Wood, cannot move, which means that he will be king for his entire life. He then asks the witches if Banquo’s son would ever reign in Scotland. They show him eight kings marching across a bridge, and the last one holds a mirror, followed by the ghost of Banquo. Macbeth is upset by this vision because it is Banquo’s descendants. The witches try to cheer him up with music and dancing, then disappear at Lennox’s entrance. Lennox tells him that messengers brought the news that MacDuff had fled to England. At that point, he decides to raid MacDuff’s castle, seize the town of Fife, kill his wife and children, and anyone else who stands in line for his inheritance.
Act 4, scene 2: Ross and Lady MacDuff fight over the fact that MacDuff is fleeing Scotland. Lady MacDuff believes that her husband will look guilty if he takes this course of action, plus it shows that he does not love his family; he is running out of fear, not love. Ross tells her that MacDuff is noble and wise and understands what these unpredictable times require; when people are called traitors without a reason and are frightened of rumours. He tells her that when things are at their worst, things must change. After an emotional Ross leaves, Lady MacDuff converses with her son, telling him that his father is dead and asking him what he will do. Her son says that his father is not dead and that she should ask herself what she will do for a husband. Her response is that she can buy twenty husbands at any market, and her son responds that she would be buying all those husbands to sell them again. His mother admits that he is smart, and then he asks if his father is a traitor. She answers yes, then he asks for the definition of a traitor, to which she responds, someone who makes a promise and breaks it. Lady MacDuff doubles down and says that traitors should be hanged, and her son asks her who should hang these traitors; her response was honest men. The son counteracts her argument by saying that there are enough liars in the world to beat up honest men, and she again acknowledges that he is very smart. She gets sad when she questions what he will do without a father. A messenger then enters and warns her that she should leave the house because danger approaches. Shortly after this warning, both Lady MacDuff and her son are murdered in their home by intruders/ murderers.
Act 4, scene 3: Malcolm and MacDuff speak. MacDuff suggests that they defend Scotland, whose citizens are oppressed. Malcolm suggests that MacDuff sacrifices him, Malcolm, to Macbeth by handing him over to the tyrant, but MacDuff refuses because he is not treacherous. Malcolm asks MacDuff why he left his wife and child at home and vulnerable. MacDuff is offended and says that he does it to defend Scotland. Malcolm asks him not to be offended; he is aware that Scotland is suffering under Macbeth’s tyrannical rule, and he believes that many people would fight with him to defend Scotland, but even if he defeated Macbeth, he believes that Scotland would suffer even more under the next king, himself. MacDuff then tells Malcolm that he could never compare to Macbeth in terms of cruelty, when Malcolm clarifies that he thinks that he is like Macbeth. He tells Malcolm not to be afraid to take the throne that belongs to him because he can quench any undesirable desires in private while appearing virtuous in public. Malcolm does not believe that he has any good attributes of a king, such as truth, modesty, courage, and bravery, so he believes that world peace would be destroyed if he were in charge. MacDuff then responds with great mourning for Scotland, at which point Malcolm reveals that he no longer doubts MacDuff and finds him trustworthy and honourable. He explains to MacDuff that Macbeth has tried many tricks, so prudence prevents him from believing people too quickly. He then tells MacDuff that he is taking back all of the bad things that he said about himself; he is ready to serve Scotland.
MacDuff told him that before MacDuff got to England, Siward, along with ten thousand soldiers, was already prepared for war, and now he, MacDuff, will join them in fighting Macbeth. A doctor then enters, stating that a crowd of people is waiting on King Edward to heal them. The king cures people with strange conditions and people who are beyond the help of surgery by placing a gold coin around their necks and saying holy prayers over them. The king also has the gift of prophecy and various other abilities, all signs that mark him as a man empowered by God. Ross then enters and tells them that Scotland is suffering. MacDuff asks about his wife and children, and Ross reports that they are ‘at peace’. He also reports that a rebellion is brewing against Macbeth and believes that Malcolm’s presence in Scotland would inspire people to fight. Malcolm then confirms that he is returning to Scotland because King Edward loaned them Siward, a very experienced soldier, and ten thousand soldiers. Ross then gives MacDuff the news that his wife and children, along with any servants and anyone else who was associated with MacDuff, were slaughtered. Malcolm tells him to transform his grief into anger.
Act 4, scene 1: The three witches dance around their cauldron, throwing in ingredients like the scale of a dragon, a wolf’s tooth, a goat’s bile, etc, to make the potion thick and gooey. While they are adding and mixing the ingredients, they would chant ‘double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble’. The second witch then declares that she can tell that something wicked is coming, then Macbeth enters and demands that the witches tell him what he wants to know. They pour additional substances into the cauldron, for example the sweat of a murderer. The first apparition then appears and tells Macbeth that he should beware MacDuff. A second apparition then appears, looking like a bloody child, and declares that no man born of a woman can harm Macbeth, so he should be violent, bold, and firm. Upon hearing this, Macbeth decides to kill MacDuff so that he can sleep easily. The third apparition then tells Macbeth to be brave and proud because Macbeth will never be defeated until Birnam Wood marches to fight him at Dunsinane Hill. Macbeth is very pleased to hear this because a forest, Birnam Wood, cannot move, which means that he will be king for his entire life. He then asks the witches if Banquo’s son would ever reign in Scotland. They show him eight kings marching across a bridge, and the last one holds a mirror, followed by the ghost of Banquo. Macbeth is upset by this vision because it is Banquo’s descendants. The witches try to cheer him up with music and dancing, then disappear at Lennox’s entrance. Lennox tells him that messengers brought the news that MacDuff had fled to England. At that point, he decides to raid MacDuff’s castle, seize the town of Fife, kill his wife and children, and anyone else who stands in line for his inheritance.
- List three (3) ingredients, other than the ones listed in the question, that the witches put in the cauldron?
- What do the witches chant while they prepare the mixture in the cauldron?
- List three (3) additional ingredients that the witches placed in the cauldron after Macbeth’s request?
- What warning does the first apparition give Macbeth?
- What does the second apparition tell Macbeth? What form does this apparition take?
- What decision does Macbeth make, based on the second apparition’s information?
- What does the third apparition tell Macbeth?
- What response does Macbeth receive from the witches when he asks them if Banquo’s son would ever reign in Scotland?
- What news does Lennox give Macbeth?
- How does Macbeth respond to Lennox’s news?
Act 4, scene 2: Ross and Lady MacDuff fight over the fact that MacDuff is fleeing Scotland. Lady MacDuff believes that her husband will look guilty if he takes this course of action, plus it shows that he does not love his family; he is running out of fear, not love. Ross tells her that MacDuff is noble and wise and understands what these unpredictable times require; when people are called traitors without a reason and are frightened of rumours. He tells her that when things are at their worst, things must change. After an emotional Ross leaves, Lady MacDuff converses with her son, telling him that his father is dead and asking him what he will do. Her son says that his father is not dead and that she should ask herself what she will do for a husband. Her response is that she can buy twenty husbands at any market, and her son responds that she would be buying all those husbands to sell them again. His mother admits that he is smart, and then he asks if his father is a traitor. She answers yes, then he asks for the definition of a traitor, to which she responds, someone who makes a promise and breaks it. Lady MacDuff doubles down and says that traitors should be hanged, and her son asks her who should hang these traitors; her response was honest men. The son counteracts her argument by saying that there are enough liars in the world to beat up honest men, and she again acknowledges that he is very smart. She gets sad when she questions what he will do without a father. A messenger then enters and warns her that she should leave the house because danger approaches. Shortly after this warning, both Lady MacDuff and her son are murdered in their home by intruders/ murderers.
- What are Ross and Lady Macbeth arguing about?
- Summarize the conversation between Lady MacDuff and her son.
- What warning does Lady MacDuff receive from the messenger?
- What happens to Lady MacDuff and her son at the end of the scene?
Act 4, scene 3: Malcolm and MacDuff speak. MacDuff suggests that they defend Scotland, whose citizens are oppressed. Malcolm suggests that MacDuff sacrifices him, Malcolm, to Macbeth by handing him over to the tyrant, but MacDuff refuses because he is not treacherous. Malcolm asks MacDuff why he left his wife and child at home and vulnerable. MacDuff is offended and says that he does it to defend Scotland. Malcolm asks him not to be offended; he is aware that Scotland is suffering under Macbeth’s tyrannical rule, and he believes that many people would fight with him to defend Scotland, but even if he defeated Macbeth, he believes that Scotland would suffer even more under the next king, himself. MacDuff then tells Malcolm that he could never compare to Macbeth in terms of cruelty, when Malcolm clarifies that he thinks that he is like Macbeth. He tells Malcolm not to be afraid to take the throne that belongs to him because he can quench any undesirable desires in private while appearing virtuous in public. Malcolm does not believe that he has any good attributes of a king, such as truth, modesty, courage, and bravery, so he believes that world peace would be destroyed if he were in charge. MacDuff then responds with great mourning for Scotland, at which point Malcolm reveals that he no longer doubts MacDuff and finds him trustworthy and honourable. He explains to MacDuff that Macbeth has tried many tricks, so prudence prevents him from believing people too quickly. He then tells MacDuff that he is taking back all of the bad things that he said about himself; he is ready to serve Scotland.
MacDuff told him that before MacDuff got to England, Siward, along with ten thousand soldiers, was already prepared for war, and now he, MacDuff, will join them in fighting Macbeth. A doctor then enters, stating that a crowd of people is waiting on King Edward to heal them. The king cures people with strange conditions and people who are beyond the help of surgery by placing a gold coin around their necks and saying holy prayers over them. The king also has the gift of prophecy and various other abilities, all signs that mark him as a man empowered by God. Ross then enters and tells them that Scotland is suffering. MacDuff asks about his wife and children, and Ross reports that they are ‘at peace’. He also reports that a rebellion is brewing against Macbeth and believes that Malcolm’s presence in Scotland would inspire people to fight. Malcolm then confirms that he is returning to Scotland because King Edward loaned them Siward, a very experienced soldier, and ten thousand soldiers. Ross then gives MacDuff the news that his wife and children, along with any servants and anyone else who was associated with MacDuff, were slaughtered. Malcolm tells him to transform his grief into anger.
- Highlight at least one method, or way, that Malcolm used to ensure that he could trust MacDuff?
- What is Malcolm’s reason for testing MacDuff?
- How is King Edward special?
- What does Ross report to Malcolm?
- What does Ross report to MacDuff?
CHARACTERIZATION
Malcolm
Malcolm is a very intelligent man. His intelligence is seen in how he tested MacDuff to ensure that he was not a spy sent by Macbeth: “Devilish Macbeth By many of these trains have sought to win me Into his power, and modest wisdom plucks me From overcredulous haste.” (Act 4, scene 2, lines 120-121, p. 164). The testing process itself was ingenious. First, he suggests that MacDuff hand him over to Macbeth as a sacrifice; next, he tells MacDuff that he would be a terrible king, even worse than Macbeth, with no kingly attributes. MacDuff’s response to this ‘bait’ is what decides if MacDuff could be trusted. Both ‘tests’ set up Malcolm as a victim, a person undeserving of the role of king, which bought into how he would be perceived by his enemies. So MacDuff earned his trust by revealing that he did not view Malcolm as dispensable.
MacDuff is a patriotic man who made tremendous sacrifices for his country. His first sacrifice was to leave his family in Scotland to travel to England, where he could be useful to Malcolm. This is a sacrifice because when he leaves, they become vulnerable to the schemes of Macbeth, and we see that Macbeth acts on this vulnerability by killing not only his family, but servants and anyone associated with MacDuff, “Your castle is surprised, your wife and babes Savagely slaughtered … Wife, children, servants, all that could be found.” (Act 4, scene 3, lines 206-207, 213, p. 172). His patriotism is also shown in his reaction to Malcolm’s proclamation that he is unworthy of the Scottish throne because he not only does not have any kingly attributes, but he is morally worse than Macbeth. MacDuff becomes very emotional at the idea that Scotland has no honourable leader, or prospects for a good leader, “O nation miserable, With an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptered, When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again … O my breast, Thy hope ends here!” (Act 4, scene 3, lines 105-107, 115-116, p. 164), which highlights his love for his country.
Macbeth
Macbeth is very ambitious. This ambition and, through this ambition, focused as well. This is seen in the fact that he seeks to maintain his place on the throne of Scotland at all costs, even if it means going on a murder spree; this is ambition. Focus is seen when he only pays attention to what furthers his cause, and ignores what does not. This is seen in the fact that he focuses on the first three prophecies - beware MacDuff, no man born of a woman can harm him, and he will never be defeated until Birnam Wood marches to fight him at Dunsinane Hill - because they protect his desire. This desire exists because of his ambition, but, despite his unease with the vision of Banquo - eight kings marching across a bridge and the last one holding a mirror, followed by the ghost of Banquo - he ignores it because it does not serve his ambition.
Malcolm is a very intelligent man. His intelligence is seen in how he tested MacDuff to ensure that he was not a spy sent by Macbeth: “Devilish Macbeth By many of these trains have sought to win me Into his power, and modest wisdom plucks me From overcredulous haste.” (Act 4, scene 2, lines 120-121, p. 164). The testing process itself was ingenious. First, he suggests that MacDuff hand him over to Macbeth as a sacrifice; next, he tells MacDuff that he would be a terrible king, even worse than Macbeth, with no kingly attributes. MacDuff’s response to this ‘bait’ is what decides if MacDuff could be trusted. Both ‘tests’ set up Malcolm as a victim, a person undeserving of the role of king, which bought into how he would be perceived by his enemies. So MacDuff earned his trust by revealing that he did not view Malcolm as dispensable.
MacDuff is a patriotic man who made tremendous sacrifices for his country. His first sacrifice was to leave his family in Scotland to travel to England, where he could be useful to Malcolm. This is a sacrifice because when he leaves, they become vulnerable to the schemes of Macbeth, and we see that Macbeth acts on this vulnerability by killing not only his family, but servants and anyone associated with MacDuff, “Your castle is surprised, your wife and babes Savagely slaughtered … Wife, children, servants, all that could be found.” (Act 4, scene 3, lines 206-207, 213, p. 172). His patriotism is also shown in his reaction to Malcolm’s proclamation that he is unworthy of the Scottish throne because he not only does not have any kingly attributes, but he is morally worse than Macbeth. MacDuff becomes very emotional at the idea that Scotland has no honourable leader, or prospects for a good leader, “O nation miserable, With an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptered, When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again … O my breast, Thy hope ends here!” (Act 4, scene 3, lines 105-107, 115-116, p. 164), which highlights his love for his country.
Macbeth
Macbeth is very ambitious. This ambition and, through this ambition, focused as well. This is seen in the fact that he seeks to maintain his place on the throne of Scotland at all costs, even if it means going on a murder spree; this is ambition. Focus is seen when he only pays attention to what furthers his cause, and ignores what does not. This is seen in the fact that he focuses on the first three prophecies - beware MacDuff, no man born of a woman can harm him, and he will never be defeated until Birnam Wood marches to fight him at Dunsinane Hill - because they protect his desire. This desire exists because of his ambition, but, despite his unease with the vision of Banquo - eight kings marching across a bridge and the last one holding a mirror, followed by the ghost of Banquo - he ignores it because it does not serve his ambition.
TECHNIQUE
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is seen in the vision of Banquo’s ghost. This is seen because it literally predicts that Macbeth will not maintain his kingship. The vision shows eight kings marching across a bridge, with the last one holding a mirror, followed by the ghost of Banquo. This vision implies that Banquo’s line would be on the Scottish throne for eight generations, and it says nothing about Macbeth’s line. Therefore, this vision acts as a foreshadowing that Macbeth’s line, as king, will end with him.
Foreshadowing is seen in the vision of Banquo’s ghost. This is seen because it literally predicts that Macbeth will not maintain his kingship. The vision shows eight kings marching across a bridge, with the last one holding a mirror, followed by the ghost of Banquo. This vision implies that Banquo’s line would be on the Scottish throne for eight generations, and it says nothing about Macbeth’s line. Therefore, this vision acts as a foreshadowing that Macbeth’s line, as king, will end with him.
CONFLICT
The type of conflict in this act is man versus man. This is the case because Malcolm is in conflict with Macbeth because he suspects that Macbeth killed his father and took his throne. Therefore, when MacDuff presented himself to Malcolm, he was very suspicious because MacDuff was a nobleman in the Scottish court, which was now governed by Macbeth. MacDuff’s presence in England created a conflict of interest because, due to his suspicions about Macbeth, by extension, he could not trust MacDuff. The conflict between MacDuff and Malcolm is reflected in the test that Malcolm gave to MacDuff in order to ensure that he was not a spy sent by Macbeth.
The type of conflict in this act is man versus man. This is the case because Malcolm is in conflict with Macbeth because he suspects that Macbeth killed his father and took his throne. Therefore, when MacDuff presented himself to Malcolm, he was very suspicious because MacDuff was a nobleman in the Scottish court, which was now governed by Macbeth. MacDuff’s presence in England created a conflict of interest because, due to his suspicions about Macbeth, by extension, he could not trust MacDuff. The conflict between MacDuff and Malcolm is reflected in the test that Malcolm gave to MacDuff in order to ensure that he was not a spy sent by Macbeth.
THEME
The major theme in Act Four is the impact of the supernatural. The supernatural makes its entrance in the very first act of this play, through the witches and their prophecies, but this theme reaches its height in Act Four because the supernatural furthers the plot. In Act One, Macbeth and Banquo’s prophecies started the plot, but the prophecies ground this portion of the play. This is the case because the following prophecies - beware MacDuff, no man born of a woman can harm Macbeth, and Macbeth will never be defeated until Birnam Wood marches to fight him at Dunsinane Hill - ensure that the supernatural influences the plot. Macbeth, based on these new prophecies, thinks that he is invincible and continues his killing spree, despite the fact that Fleance is still free. This is seen in the fourth vision, where eight kings march across a bridge, and the last one holds a mirror, followed by the ghost of Banquo. So, the supernatural has a great impact in this play because it literally furthers the plot.
Contributor: Leisa Samuels-Thomas
No Fear Shakespeare: Macbeth. 2003 Spark Publishing, Canada.
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/macbeth-powerpoint-80354614/80354614?nway-content_model=A
https://literarydevices.com/
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.563773/full
No Fear Shakespeare: Macbeth. 2003 Spark Publishing, Canada.
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/macbeth-powerpoint-80354614/80354614?nway-content_model=A
https://literarydevices.com/
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.563773/full
|
Act 2
|
Act 3
|
Act 4
|
