English II Honors/AP Seminar: Macbeth Acts 4 and 5 Quiz - Sheehan

Macbeth Act 4: Why does Macbeth visit the witches?

To learn more about his future and secure his power; fear of losing the throne drives him to seek more prophecies.

What is the First Apparition and its prophecy?

An Armed Head; “Beware Macduff.”

What is the meaning of the First Apparition’s prophecy?

Warns Macbeth that Macduff will threaten him.

What is the Second Apparition and its prophecy?

A Bloody Child; “None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”

How does Macbeth interpret the Second Apparition’s prophecy?

He believes he is invincible since all men are born from women.

True meaning of the Second Apparition?

Macduff’s unusual birth (C-section) means he is the exception.

What is the Third Apparition and its prophecy?

A Crowned Child with a tree; Macbeth will not fall until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.

How does Macbeth interpret the Third Apparition?

He thinks the prophecy is impossible and becomes overconfident.

True meaning of the Third Apparition?

Malcolm’s army uses branches from Birnam Wood, making it appear the forest is moving.

What does the line of kings shown by the witches represent?

Banquo’s descendants will rule; Macbeth’s lineage will not continue.

Macbeth’s decision after hearing the apparitions

To kill Macduff’s wife, children, and household, embracing full tyranny.

What happens to Macduff’s family in Act 4?

Macbeth sends murderers who kill Lady Macduff and her son.

Lady Macduff’s role in Act 4

Symbol of innocence and contrast to Macbeth’s cruelty; highlights Macbeth’s moral decay.

Why does Malcolm test Macduff in Act 4?

To see if Macduff is loyal or secretly working for Macbeth.

How does Malcolm test Macduff?

Pretends he would be a terrible, corrupt king.

Macduff’s reaction to learning his family was murdered

Grief, followed by a vow to kill Macbeth.

Macduff quote showing loyalty to Scotland

“O Scotland, Scotland!”

Main theme of Act 4

Prophecy misinterpretation and Macbeth’s descent into unchecked tyranny.

Act 5, Scene 1: What happens to Lady Macbeth?

She sleepwalks, tries to wash imaginary blood from her hands, and reveals guilt over the murders.

Meaning of Lady Macbeth’s candle in Scene 1

Symbol of her fear of darkness and overwhelming guilt.

Quote: “Out, damned spot!”

Lady Macbeth trying to wash away imagined blood, symbolizing guilt.

Quote: “What’s done cannot be undone.”

Lady Macbeth expressing regret and psychological collapse.

Significance of Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking

Shows complete mental breakdown caused by guilt.

Act 5, Scene 2: What are the Scottish nobles planning?

They prepare to join Malcolm against Macbeth.

What do nobles call Macbeth in Scene 2?

A tyrant.

Symbolism of “Scotland bleeds”

Macbeth’s rule has harmed the entire nation.

Where do the nobles plan to meet Malcolm?

Near Birnam Wood.

Act 5, Scene 3: Why is Macbeth still confident?

He clings to the witches’ prophecies that seem impossible to break.

Macbeth’s reaction to the advancing armies

Anger, denial, and command to fight despite weakening support.

How does Macbeth react to Lady Macbeth’s condition?

He dismisses it and asks the doctor to cure her, symbolizing his emotional detachment.

Macbeth quote showing defiance

“I’ll fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked.”

Act 5, Scene 4: How does Birnam Wood “move”?

Malcolm orders troops to cut branches for camouflage.

Why is the “moving” of Birnam Wood important?

It fulfills prophecy #3 and signals Macbeth’s downfall.

Act 5, Scene 5: What news does Macbeth receive first?

Lady Macbeth has died (suicide implied).

What famous soliloquy occurs in Scene 5?

“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow…”

Meaning of “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow”

Life is meaningless, repetitive, and full of suffering.

Quote: “Life’s but a walking shadow.”

Macbeth believes life is empty and insignificant.

What second message does Macbeth receive in Scene 5?

Birnam Wood appears to be moving toward Dunsinane.

How does Macbeth react to the moving forest?

Realizes the witches deceived him; prophecy misunderstood.

Act 5, Scene 6: What happens in this scene?

Malcolm, Siward, and Macduff prepare for the final assault on Macbeth’s castle.

Act 5, Scene 7: Who does Macbeth fight first?

Young Siward, whom Macbeth kills.

Why is Macbeth briefly encouraged after killing Young Siward?

It reassures him he is still strong in battle.

Why does Macduff seek Macbeth?

To avenge his murdered family.

Quote: “I bear a charmed life.”

Macbeth believes he cannot be killed because of the prophecy.

How is the prophecy about “none of woman born” fulfilled?

Macduff was “from his mother’s womb untimely ripped” (born by C-section).

Macbeth’s final decision before dying

He refuses to yield and chooses to fight.

Who kills Macbeth?

Macduff.

What does Macduff do after killing Macbeth?

Brings Macbeth’s head to Malcolm.

What does Malcolm do at the end of the play?

Becomes king and restores order to Scotland.

What new title does Malcolm grant the thanes?

He makes them “earls,” symbolizing a new, more just era.

Themes: What theme is shown through Lady Macbeth’s breakdown?

Guilt and psychological consequences of ambition.

Theme: What causes Macbeth’s downfall?

Overconfidence and misinterpretation of prophecy.

Theme: What does Malcolm represent?

Legitimate leadership and restoration of moral order.

Theme: Fate vs. Free Will

Prophecies influence Macbeth, but his violent choices fulfill them.

Symbols: What does blood symbolize in Acts 4–5?

Guilt and moral corruption.

Symbol: What does the candle represent?

Lady Macbeth’s fear and desire to escape guilt.

Symbol: Birnam Wood

Fate fulfilled in an unexpected way.

Symbol: Sleepwalking

Psychological collapse and guilt.

Character Development: Macbeth’s transformation

From ambitious warrior to tyrant to hopeless, isolated figure.

Character Development: Lady Macbeth’s arc

From strong and manipulative to guilt-ridden and broken.

Character Development: Macduff

A symbol of justice; driven by grief to restore Scotland.

Character Development: Malcolm

Calm, strategic, rightful leader who brings back order.

Quotes: “Out, damned spot!”

Lady Macbeth revealing guilt.

Quotes: “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow…”

Macbeth’s despair and belief that life is meaningless.

Quotes: “Life’s but a walking shadow.”

Macbeth expressing nihilism.

Quotes: “Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripped.”

Reveals Macduff can kill Macbeth.

Quotes: “I bear a charmed life.”

Macbeth’s misplaced faith in prophecy.

Practice Type: Why does Malcolm pretend to be unfit to rule?

To test Macduff’s loyalty and ensure he is trustworthy.

Practice Type: Why does Macbeth order Macduff’s family killed?

To eliminate future threats and assert his tyranny.

Practice Type: What does Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking reveal?

Her overwhelming guilt and mental collapse.

Practice Type: How does Shakespeare show the consequences of blind ambition?

Through the unraveling of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.