Act 4 Scene 3

Question 1

overview of act IV scene iii

Answer 1

at the english court, malcolm and macduff test each other’s loyalties. there are plans to attack macbeth - and macduff hears the news of the murder of his wife and children

Question 2

Why does Malcolm pretend to be worse than Macbeth?

Answer 2

• He wants to test Macduff’s loyalty before trusting him.
• Claims to be lustful, greedy, and unfit to rule.
• When Macduff despairs, Malcolm reveals he was lying and is actually virtuous.

Question 3

finish the quote: ‘new widows howl…

Answer 3

…new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven on the face’

Question 4

‘new widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven on the face’

Answer 4

• nobody is safe
• scotland is in a dreadful situation and macbeth is out of control

Question 5

personification of scotland

Answer 5

• ‘our country sinks beneath the yoke’
• ‘it weeps ; it bleeds ; and each new day a gash / Is added to her wounds’
• country is being dragged through the mud
• effect tyranny has on scotland

Question 6

Macduff’s loyalty

Answer 6

• Macduff shows his loyalty to Scotland - he goes to England to support Malcolm even though he knows his family is in danger

Question 7

How does Shakespeare use dramatic irony?

Answer 7

• Malcolm thinks that because Macduff hasn’t been harmed, he must support Macbeth - ‘He hath not touch’d you yet’
• dramatic irony - audience knows that Macduff’s family has been murdered

Question 8

Malcolm and Kingship

Answer 8

• Malcolm has learnt from Duncan’s mistakes and doesn’t blindly trust the thanes (Macduff) - suggests he will be a better King than Duncan
• Malcolm tells Macduff he is honest, grateful and god-fearing, which are good qualities for a King
• Malcolm’s loyalty to his country - contrasts with Macbeth’s tyranny and betrayal

Question 9

How is Macduff’s loyalty tested?

Answer 9

• by Malcolm pretending to be even more evil than Macbeth
• Macduff passes by proving that he won’t support another tyrant and that he is loyal to Scotland

Question 10

finish the quote: ‘black Macbeth will seem…

Answer 10

…as pure as snow’

Question 11

finish the quote: ‘luxurious, avaricious..

Answer 11

…false, deceitful, sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin’

Question 12

finish the quote: ‘your wives, your daughters…

Answer 12

..Your matrons and your maids, could not fill up/ The cistern of my lust’

Question 13

finish the quote: ‘ a stanchless..

Answer 13

…avarice that, were I king, I should cut off the nobles for their lands’

Question 14

‘avarice’

Answer 14

• one of the seven deadly sins : greed

Question 15

finish the quote: ‘I should / Pour the..

Answer 15

…sweet milk of concord into hell’

Question 16

finish the quote: ‘Scotland hath..

Answer 16

…foisons to fill up your will’

Question 17

finish the quote: ‘spacious..

Answer 17

….plenty’

Question 18

finish the quote: ‘willing dames…

Answer 18

…enough’

Question 19

‘spacious plenty’
‘willing dames enough’
‘Scotland hath foisons to fill up your will’

Answer 19

• scotland has enough resources to accommodate for your desires - don’t worry
• suggests how loyal Macduff is - and how much he despises Macbeth

Question 20

Finish the quote: ‘Angels are bright still…’

Answer 20

"’…though the brightest fell.’”

Question 21

‘Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell.’

Answer 21

• Malcolm reflects on how even the best people can fall from grace (possibly referencing Lucifer).
• Suggests that Macbeth was once noble but has become corrupt
• Highlights the theme of appearance vs. reality.

Question 22

Finish the quote: ‘O Scotland, Scotland!’

Answer 22

"’…O nation miserable!’”

Question 23

‘O Scotland, Scotland! O nation miserable!’

Answer 23

• Macduff laments the suffering of Scotland under Macbeth.
• Shows his deep love for his country.
• Demonstrates the extent of Macbeth’s tyranny.
• He is very desperate

Question 24

finish the quote: ‘heavenly..

Answer 24

..gift of prophecy’

Question 25

'heavenly gift of prophecy'

Answer 25

- Shakespeare contrasts the kind, unselfish kingship of Edward with the cruel, selfish tyranny of Macbeth - Edward has 'a heavenly gift of prophecy' and can cure the sick with his touch - Since rightful kings were thought to have been appointed by God, people thought that Edward had divine gifts, the opposite of the Witches' evil, supernatural powers

Question 26

difference between Malcolm and Macbeth

Answer 26

- Like Macbeth, Malcolm tries to disguise his true nature - but does it to protect Scotland, rather than for his own gain.

Question 27

finish the quote: 'your wife and babes..

Answer 27

.../Savagely slaughtered'

Question 28

'your wife and babes/Savagely slaughtered'

Answer 28

- deliberately provocative - stir feelings of revenge - a test of his masculinity - would have been expected to reply in a dignified manner

Question 29

Finish the quote: 'All my pretty ones?'

Answer 29

"'...Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?'"

Question 30

'All my pretty ones? Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?'

Answer 30

- Macduff reacts in horror to the news that his family has been murdered. - The repetition of 'all' emphasizes his shock and grief. - Highlights Macbeth’s cruelty and the impact of his actions. - Grief is clear - short sentences, rhetorical questions and repetition shows that he is in disbelief

Question 31

Finish the quote: 'Dispute it like...'

Answer 31

"'...a man.'"

Question 32

'Dispute it like a man.'

Answer 32

- Malcolm urges Macduff to take revenge and fight Macbeth. - Encourages Macduff to channel his grief into action. - Reinforces the theme of masculinity and honor. - Like the Macbeths, Malcolm thinks masculinity means being aggressive

Question 33

Finish the quote: 'I shall do so...'

Answer 33

"'...but I must also feel it as a man.'"

Question 34

'I shall do so, but I must also feel it as a man.'

Answer 34

- Macduff acknowledges both his grief and his duty to fight. - Challenges the idea that men should suppress their emotions- believes that men are also sensitive - In this way, Macduff teaches Malcolm how to be a good man and king - Highlights the theme of masculinity and human suffering.

Question 35

What is the significance of Ross’s role in this scene?

Answer 35

- He delivers the tragic news of Macduff’s family’s murder. - Adds dramatic tension by delaying the revelation. - Pushes Macduff toward seeking revenge against Macbeth.

Question 36

how is the murder of Macduff's family important?

Answer 36

- it motivates macduff to get revenge on macbeth and end his cruel reign

Question 37

How does this scene contrast Malcolm and Macbeth as rulers?

Answer 37

- Malcolm values honesty and morality, while Macbeth rules through fear and violence. - Malcolm tests loyalty, but Macbeth demands blind obedience. - Shows that Malcolm is a worthy king in contrast to Macbeth’s tyranny.

Question 38

How does this scene develop the theme of kingship?

Answer 38

- Malcolm discusses what makes a good ruler (justice, truth, humility). - Contrasts his qualities with Macbeth’s cruelty and greed. - Reinforces the idea that Macbeth is a false king who must be overthrown.

Question 39

How does this scene foreshadow Macbeth’s downfall?

Answer 39

- Macduff vows revenge, setting up their final confrontation. - Malcolm gathers forces to overthrow Macbeth. - Macbeth’s tyranny is pushing more people to turn against him.

Question 40

How does Shakespeare use dramatic irony in this scene?

Answer 40

- The audience already knows about Macduff’s family’s murder before he does. - Creates tension as we wait for Ross to reveal the truth. - Makes Macduff’s grief even more tragic and powerful.

Question 41

What decision is made at the end of the scene?

Answer 41

- Malcolm and Macduff decide to return to Scotland and fight Macbeth. - Marks the beginning of Macbeth’s downfall. - Shows that resistance against Macbeth is growing.