MacbethACT FOUR - SCENE 1:

Everything is coming to a head for Macbeth. Falling action time. People are openly talking about his traitorous behavior. Macca is getting desperate. He goes to seek advice and guidance from the Witches. Good call? Remember Hecate's plan...

Macbeth seeks counsel from the weird sisters who show him a series of apparitions:

1. Explain the message given to Macbeth by each of the following apparitions.

First Apparition: an armed Head

Second Apparition: A bloody Child

Third Apparition: a Child crowned, with a tree in his hand

2. How does this make Macbeth feel?

Finally the witches show Eight Kings, the last with a glass in his hand; GHOST OF BANQUO following. Explain what you think this means. You might have to think back to Act I and reread the witches' predictions for Banquo.

3. Explain the irony in the following statement by Macbeth;

"Infected be the air whereon they ride

And damn'd all those that trust them! ..."

4. What does Macbeth decide to do next?

ACT FOUR - SCENE 2: Macduff's Castle

Lady Macduff converses with her son. She is upset because her husband has gone off to England leaving his family unprotected.

1. What happens to them?

ACT FOUR SCENE 3:

Malcolm, King Duncan's son, and Macduff are discussing plans to return to Scotland with an army to overthrow Macbeth. Macduff is seeking help, and Malcolm is testing Macduff. Malcolm gives Macduff reasons not to trust him. Paraphrase their conversation. It's actually pretty "funny".

Ross enters with news of Duncan's family.

1. How does Macduff respond to this news?

1. What does Malcolm tell him to do?

1. What does Macduff vow to do?