Act 4 Scene 3 Flashcards
overview of act IV scene iii
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
Why does Malcolm pretend to be worse than Macbeth?
- 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.
finish the quote: ‘new widows howl…
…new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven on the face’
‘new widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven on the face’
- nobody is safe
- scotland is in a dreadful situation and macbeth is out of control
personification of scotland
- ‘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
Macduff’s loyalty
- Macduff shows his loyalty to Scotland - he goes to England to support Malcolm even though he knows his family is in danger
How does Shakespeare use dramatic irony?
- 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
Malcolm and Kingship
- 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
How is Macduff’s loyalty tested?
- 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
finish the quote: ‘black Macbeth will seem…
…as pure as snow’
finish the quote: ‘luxurious, avaricious..
…false, deceitful, sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin’
finish the quote: ‘your wives, your daughters…
..Your matrons and your maids, could not fill up/ The cistern of my lust’
finish the quote: ‘ a stanchless..
…avarice that, were I king, I should cut off the nobles for their lands’
‘avarice’
- one of the seven deadly sins : greed
finish the quote: ‘I should / Pour the..
…sweet milk of concord into hell’
finish the quote: ‘Scotland hath..
…foisons to fill up your will’
finish the quote: ‘spacious..
….plenty’
finish the quote: ‘willing dames…
…enough’
‘spacious plenty’
‘willing dames enough’
‘Scotland hath foisons to fill up your will’
- scotland has enough resources to accommodate for your desires - don’t worry
- suggests how loyal Macduff is - and how much he despises Macbeth
Finish the quote: ‘Angels are bright still…’
"’…though the brightest fell.’”
‘Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell.’
- 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.
Finish the quote: ‘O Scotland, Scotland!’
"’…O nation miserable!’”
‘O Scotland, Scotland! O nation miserable!’
- 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
finish the quote: ‘heavenly..
..gift of prophecy’
‘heavenly gift of prophecy’
- 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
difference between Malcolm and Macbeth
- Like Macbeth, Malcolm tries to disguise his true nature - but does it to protect Scotland, rather than for his own gain.
finish the quote: ‘your wife and babes..
…/Savagely slaughtered’
‘your wife and babes/Savagely slaughtered’
- deliberately provocative
- stir feelings of revenge
- a test of his masculinity
- would have been expected to reply in a dignified manner
Finish the quote: ‘All my pretty ones?’
"’…Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?’”
‘All my pretty ones? Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?’
- 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
Finish the quote: ‘Dispute it like…’
"’…a man.’”
‘Dispute it like a man.’
- 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
Finish the quote: ‘I shall do so…’
"’…but I must also feel it as a man.’”
‘I shall do so, but I must also feel it as a man.’
- 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.
What is the significance of Ross’s role in this scene?
- 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.
how is the murder of Macduff’s family important?
- it motivates macduff to get revenge on macbeth and end his cruel reign
How does this scene contrast Malcolm and Macbeth as rulers?
- 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.
How does this scene develop the theme of kingship?
- 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.
How does this scene foreshadow Macbeth’s downfall?
- 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.
How does Shakespeare use dramatic irony in this scene?
- 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.
What decision is made at the end of the scene?
- 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.
