Macbeth Act Four

study guide for the quiz

The Witches throw a slice of what in the spell?

snake

The Witches throw this body part of a salamander in the spell.

eye

The Witches throw this body part of a snake in the spell.

tongue

The Witches throw this body part of a owl in the spell.

wing

The Witches throw these body parts of a shark in the spell.

stomach and gullet

The Witches throw a prostitute’s what in the spell?

the finger of a stillborn bloody baby

This is one of the most iconic lines in Act Four

“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes. Open locks, whoever knocks.”

What is the first apparition telling Macbeth?

warning him about Macduff

What does the first apparition look like?

an armored heathland

Who is the thane of Fife?

Macduff

What does the second apparition look like?

a bloody child

What does the second apparition say to Macbeth?

he can be as bold as he wants and no one born of a woman can hurt hi

What does the third apparition look like?

an older child with a crown on his head and a branch in his hand

What does the third apparition say to Macbeth?

to take courage

What else does the third apparition say to Macbeth?

he is safe until Great Birnam Wood climbs Dunsinane Hill to get him

At this point, how is Macbeth feeling in scene one after talking with the Witches?

starting to feel safe

Why is this good for the Witches?

false sense of security, what they wanted to create for Macbeth

After talking to all the apparitions, how does Macbeth feel?

he will never deal with ghosts again and will outlive his expected lifespan and die by natural causes

What do the eight kings represent?

They all look like Banquo, the last holding a glass revealing Banquo-looking kings meaning that his kids will become the next king

What does Macbeth say in his aside at the end of the scene?

he will kill Macduff and his wife and children and swears he will act immediately on his impulses

Where does Macduff go?

england

Does Ross know about Macbeth’s plans?

No, he does not know about the murder plans

What does Lady Macduff tell Macduff?

that he is a terrible husband

Lady Macduff is worried about what?

people will consider Macduff a traitor for leaving and going to England

What do Lady Macduff and her son joke about?

that they can always go and get another husband

A messenger runs into the castle and delivers what message?

that the Macduff family is in danger and should run

When the murdered breaks into the castle, who is the first killed?

Lady Macduff’s son

How does Malcolm feel about Scotland?

he is depressed

What does Macduff advise Malcolm to do?

defend their homeland

What does Malcolm say in response to Macduff’s advice?

He will only strike back when the time is right

Why is Malcolm becoming suspicious of Macduff?

Macduff left his family and it leaves him in question regarding his innocence

If Malcolm went back to Scotland, what would happen?

he would be a much worse king, but he could make Macbeth look innocent next to himself

How does Macduff combat what Malcolm said about returning to Scotland?

Macduff finds this statement hard to believe saying Macbeth is really that bad

Why does Malcolm say he would be a bad king?

he loves sex and would have sex with anyone

What does Macduff say to counter the statement Malcolm made about being a bad king?

the lust of many women will solve his problem once he is king

What other reason does Malcolm give Macduff as to why he would be a bad king?

he is greedy and would steal from the nobel’s land

What does Macduff say in response to the greedy statement Malcolm made?

Scotland is very rich and he should be very satisfied with their wealth

What are the virtues Malcolm is missing?

truthfulness, consistency, generosity, humility, and religious devotion

A doctor interrupts and says what to Malcolm and Macduff?

King Edward is outside curing people of diseases

Macduff finally convinced Malcolm of what?

honesty

Ross appears and states that Macduff’s family is fine, but how are they really?

they are all dead

Why doesn’t Ross tell the truth about Macduff’s family?

it is too terrible to speak of

When Ross does finally tell Macduff what happened, does he leave out any details?

Yes, he says that are dead but not how they died since he fears that would harm Macduff too much

How does Macduff feel when hearing his whole family has been murdered?

he is enraged upon hearing this

Who does Malcolm want to team up with?

Macduff because they have a common goal/enemy to take down (Macbeth)