Macbeth Acts 4 & 5

Witch 2 says, “By the pricking of my thumb, Something wicked this way comes.” Who comes? Macbeth
What is Macbeth’s attitude towards the witches this time? He is demanding and wants to be in charge
What four things did the witches show Macbeth? What does each show/say? What is Macbeth’s reaction? 1. armed head- beware Macduff 2. bloody child- not be harmed by anyone “born of woman”3. crowned child w/ tree in hand- not be vanquished ’til Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane4. 8 kings followed by Banquo’s ghost w/ mirror Banquo’s descendants will be kings
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
Where is Macduff? He is in England helping Malcolm raise an army.
Why does Macbeth have Macduff’s family and servants killed? 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.
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. 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 would be if he were on the throne instead of Macbeth.
What news does Ross bring to Macduff? Ross brings news of Macduff’s family’s murders.
What do the doctor and gentlewoman see Lady Macbeth doing? What do they decide to do about it? She is sleepwalking and talking about the murders. The doctor decides his best move is to not mention that he heard anything, and he tells the woman to keep an eye on Lady Macbeth.
What does Macbeth want the doctor to do for his wife? He wants the doctor to ease her suffering, to give her something to make her oblivious to her weighty troubles.
What trick does Malcolm use to hide the number of men in his army? He has his men cut off tree branches and use them as camouflage.
Malcolm says, “And none serve with him but constrained things Whose hearts are absent, too.” What does that mean? Macbeth’s armies are there in body only, not in spirit, and there should not be any serious opposition.
What is Macbeth’s reaction to Lady Macbeth’s death? He takes it very calmly, saying she would have died sooner or later, anyway.
What is Macbeth’s reaction to the news that Birnam Wood is moving? “Arm, arm, and out!” He’s going to fight to the bitter end and take down the whole universe with him, if necessary.
Who first fights Macbeth? What happens? Young Siward fights Macbeth and is slain.
Macbeth says to Macduff, “But get thee back, my soul is too much charged With blood of thine already.” To what is he referring? Macbeth doesn’t want to fight Macduff; he has already killed Macduff’s family.
When does Macbeth know he’s in trouble? He knows this is his end when Macduff tells him he was taken from his mother’s womb instead of being “born of woman.”
How does Macbeth die? Macduff fights him and beheads him
Who will be King of Scotland? Malcolm will be king.
August 27, 2019