AP Seminar Macbeth Acts 4 & 5

What are the witches prophecies in Act 4.1?

1. Armed head of Macbeth warns him of Macduff

2. A bloody child no man born of a woman can harm Macbeth

3. A crowned child (Malcolm) with a tree in his hand - says Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnan Wood moves to Dunsinane hill

Where is Macbeth's castle?

On Dunsinane hill

What do all three apparitions fill Macbeth with?

Confidence - they give him a false sense of security

What is the final apparition shown to Macbeth?

A procession of eight kings, the last holding a mirror, showing Banquo's descendants as future rulers, ending with Macbeth's realization of his fate

What does Macbeth decide at the end of Act 4.1?

He will kill all of Macduff's family

What is Act 4.2 about?

Rosse telling Lady Macduff her husband has left her and her son and fled to England

Macbeth labeled Macduff a traitor

What is Lady Macduff's reaction to the news?

Lady Macduff is furious and suspicious and concerned about her safety and her children's safety

She condemns him

What does Lady Macduff tell her child?

Macduff is a traitor and that he is dead to them

How does Lady Macduff's child react?

He states that Macduff is not dead otherwise Lady Macduff would be mourning him

He tells her she can find a new husband quickly

What does Act 4.2 provide?

Provides comic relief and builds suspense

What happens in Act 4.3?

In England, Macduff has arrived to beg Malcolm to return to Scotland, fight, and restore order

How does Malcolm test Macduff's loyalty?

Malcolm says if he became king he would be worse than Macbeth because he is filled with lust and is greedy (he would steal from nobles)

What does Act 4.3 discuss?

Appearances vs reality

Allusion to Lucifer

What is the focus of Act 5.1?

Lady Macbeth has been suffering from a sickness and is sleepwalking - highlights her guilt

A doctor and a gentlewoman accompany her

What is the focus of Act 5.2?

Scottish lords are leading troops and intend on meeting the English army with Malcolm, Siward, and Macduff at Birnam Wood

What is the focus of Act 5.3?

Macbeth is growing anxious

People are revolting

What does the Doctor say about Lady Macbeth?

She must cure herself

What does Macbeth express in Act 5.3?

Regret

What prophecy comes true in Act 5.4?

Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him - the third prophecy

To conceal the English army they are using branches from the Birnam forest

What does Act 5.4 foreshadow?

Macbeth's end

What happens in Act 5.5?

Macbeth is ready for battle - not afraid until he learns that Lady Macbeth committed

What happens in Act 5.6?

Young Siward is the first to enter Macbeth's castle - he dies

What happens in Act 5.7?

Macduff wants to get revenge and kill Macbeth

Macbeth believes he is invincible - holding onto second prophecy (none of woman born shall harm Macbeth)

What is revealed in Act 5.8?

Macduff was not born naturally of a woman -> C-section

Macbeth is fearful - he ultimately is killed by Macduff

What happens in Act 5.9?

Ross tells Siward that his son, Young Siward died heroically

Macduff has Macbeth's head

Where will Malcolm be crowned king of Scotland?

Scone