Act 4 Flashcards
Summary of Act 4: Scene 1
-The three witches appear and so does Macbeth.
-He asks the witches the reveal the truth of their prophecies to him.
-To answer the questions they summon apparitions.
-1st one is a floating head warning him to beware Macduff.
-2nd on is a crowned child holding a tree telling him that he is safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill.
-Finally, eight crowned Kings walk by, with the last one carrying a mirror.
-Banquo’s ghost walks at the end of the line and Macbeth demands to know what the final vision means, but the witches vanish.
-Macbeth resolves to send murderers to capture Macduff’s castle and to kill Macduff’s wife and children.
Key ideas in Act 4: Scene 1
-“Answer me,” arrogant tone, his hubris.
-“Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff,” tricolon, prophetic information.
-“None of woman born shall harm Macbeth,” false hope as Macduff comes from C-section, but Macbeth believes that he is invincible and no one can stop him, but is also confused, does not think that the first prophecy can be true (his hubris).
-“And an eternal curse fall on you!” so bold and audacious, he is gaining confidence and more power, dramatic irony, he is the King, he has the most power.
Summary of Act 4: Scene 2
-Lady Macduff feels betrayed for Macduff’s departure.
-Lady Macduff tells her son that her father is dead, but her son argues this.
-A group of murderers enter, and Macduff’s son is killed, with Lady Macduff trying to escape.
Key ideas in Act 4: Scene 2
-“Her young ones in her nest, against the owl,” zoomorphism, presents Macduff, heightens sense of tragedy that his family will be killed, but he won’t be present to save them.
-“Poor bird!” exclamatory tone, metaphor for the son being killed.
-“He’s a traitor,” ironic, the son was talking about this.
Summary of Act 4: Scene 3
-Malcolm starts to be suspicious of Macbeth and thinks that Macduff is secretly working for Macbeth.
-Macduff politely disagrees with his future king.
-Macduff’s loyalty to Scotland leads him to agree that Malcolm is not fit to govern Scotland and perhaps not even to live.
-Ross enters. He has just arrived from Scotland, and tells Macduff that his wife and children are well.
-Ross confesses to Macduff that Macbeth has murdered his wife and children. Macduff is crushed with grief.
-Malcolm urges him to turn his grief to anger, and Macduff assures him that he will inflict revenge upon Macbeth.
Key ideas in Act 4: Scene 3
-“Bleed, bleed, poor country!” hyperbolic, shows the extent of its tyrannical view. Physical effect, the country is representing the inversion of then natural order, portrays country’s deterioration.
-“Black Macbeth,” sins he has committed, more lies and deceit.
-“Fit to govern!” Macbeth is not the rightful leader.
