Macbeth Act 4 Flashcards
What is Macbeth’s attitude towards the witches this time?
He is demanding, trying to take charge.
Witch 2 says, “By the pricking of my thumb, Something wicked this way comes.” Who
comes?
Macbeth comes.
What four things did the witches show Macbeth?
They show him an armed head,
a bloody child,
a crowned child with a tree in its hand, and,
eight kings followed by Banquo’s ghost.
What does each of the 4 things the witches show Macbethe show/say?
armed head- beware Mcduff
bloody child- not be harmed by anyone “born of woman”
crowned child w/ tree in hand- not be vanquished ‘til
Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane
(the woods moves up the hill to the castle)
8 kings followed by Banquo’s ghost w/ mirror- Banquo’s
descendants will be kings
What is Macbeth’s reaction to the four things the witches show him?
Macbeth believes the first three show him to be invincible, but he definitely doesn’t like the one about Banquo. He pretty much decides to deal with this problem of his family line.
Macbeth says (about the witches), “Infected be the air whereon they ride, And damned all those that trust them!” What is Macbeth, in effect, saying about himself?
He is damned. VERBAL IRONY!!!
Where is Macduff in Act 4?
He is in England helping Malcolm raise an army.
He is in England helping Malcolm raise an army.
Macduff is not loyal to Macbeth, and Macbeth is angry.
Why does Lady Macduff’s son say liars and swearers are fools?
He implies that since there are more of them than honest people, they should get together and hang the honest folks. They are foolish to leave themselves in jeopardy when they could overcome the honest people.
The thematic paradox “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,” (I.i.10) is restated by Lady Macduff. What does she say?
IV.ii.71-73.Things are not what they seem. She is saying that the good are being punished while the evil are being rewarded.
Malcolm says, “Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell. Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, Yet grace must still look so.” What does that mean?
The devil was, of course, at one time the brightest angel. The point is that things aren’t what they seem. (RESTATING A MAJOR THEME) One can’t judge the book by its cover, so-to-speak.
He also suggests that, even though the brightest angel fell, other angels are still bright (or good) and must not be judged according to the devil’s actions.
Macduff says, “Oh, Scotland, Scotland!” Why?
Malcolm has just told him what a horrid king he (Malcolm) would be if he were on the throne instead of Macbeth. Given a choice, then, between Malcolm and Macbeth, he gravely fears for his country’s future.
What type of king does Malcolm tell Macduff he (Malcolm) will be? Why does he say such things?
- He makes the big speech about having none of the “king-becoming graces.”
- He is saying what a terrible king he would make (even worse than Macbeth!) in order to test Macduff. He wants to see if Macduff is really there to save Scotland and be loyal to Malcolm, or if Macduff is there to trap Malcolm and turn him over to Macbeth.
What news does Ross bring to Macduff? Describe his full reaction.
Ross brings news of Macduff’s family’s murders.
shock, blames himself, then outrage (keeps asking “my wife” then “my kids”) —swears vengeance on Macbeth
What are the Witches doing at the beginning of Act IV?
The Witches are standing over a cauldron preparing a spell for Macbeth.
