Macbeth Act IV

Describe Macbeth’s behavior upon meeting the witches in scene I He is demanding & disrespectful toward them. He demands they answer his questions
At the beginning of Act IV Macbeth meets the “weird sisters” while they are making a bizarre brew, he demands they show him his future. What is each apparition and the message which accompanies each (3) The armored helmet – beware of macduffThe bloody child – fear no man born of womanA child with a tree branch – be brave like a lion & proud.Macbeth will never be defeated until Birnam Wood marches to fight you at Dunisnane
Macbeth demands to know of Banquo’s heirs: what appears? What does this mean? 8 kings march across the stage, followed by the ghost of Banquo the witches have said that ban quo’s sons will be king and this vision seems to confirm what the witches told macbeth earlier
what does macbeth learn about the whereabouts of macduff? how will macbeth punish him for this action? Macbeth learns that Macduff has fled to England and this angers macbeth greatly so he orders macduff’s wife and children to be killed.
At the beginning of scene 2 why is lady macduff angry with her husband? How does Ross calm her? She feels he has neglected his family by leaving without telling them and explaining why he had to leave Ross explains that it was for their safety and once they understand the circumstances under which macduff left, she will not be angry with him any longer.
How do the murders of Lady MacDuff and her son emphasize Macbeth’s moral deterioration? He has murdered them out of anger and revenge. Macduff’s family is in no way a threat to his throne. The murders emphasize his total moral deterioration because he has no justification for carrying them.
How does macduff react to the news of his family’s murders? He is grief stricken and feels guilty and responsible since he left them.
Why does Malcolm feel he must lie to Macduff an detest his loyalty? Why is he weary of him? (3) Macduff and Macbeth were close friends when Malcolm last left Scotland.Macduff could be spying on Malcolm.Macbeth has not yet hurt/killed Macduff, which would mean he isn’t an enemy of Macbeth’s.
How does Macbeth pass the test Rather than lashing out at Malcolm, Macduff cries out for God to help his country.
What is the dramatic irony of the conversation between Ross and Macduff when Macduff asks about his family? The family is all murdered and Ross says they are well and at peace, which is ironic.
What is Macduff’s reaction to the murder of his family? What is Malcolm’s advice? He is grief stricken and feels guilty and responsible since he left them. Malcolm advises him to turn his grief into rage and use it to defeat Macbeth.
What does the audience learn at the end of Act IV? Ross and Macduff are joining siward and the army who are on their way to Scotland to defeat Macbeth.