Act IV Summary of Macbeth

Act IV Key Points

• Witches and Spells

  • Chant: "Double, double toil and trouble; / Fire burn, and cauldron bubble"
  • Function: Casting a spell.

• "Something wicked this way comes"

  • Refers to Macbeth.

• First Apparition

  • Message: "Beware of Macduff, the Thane of Fife."
  • Description: Appears as King Duncan.

• Second Apparition

  • Message: "Be bold, bloody, and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man; no one born of a woman shall harm Macbeth."
  • Description: Appears as a bloody baby.

• Third Apparition

  • Message: "Be lion-hearted; proud, do not worry about who hurts or frets."
  • Description: A little boy with a crown holding a tree.

• Macbeth's Last Inquiry

  • Asks the witches if Banquo's sons will ever rule the kingdom.

• Witches' Response to Inquiry

  • Show Macbeth a line of kings resembling Banquo.

• Macbeth’s Plans for Macduff

  • Plans to surprise Macduff's castle, seize his land, and kill his wife and children.

• Lady Macduff's Perception of Macduff

  • Claims Macduff does not love her because he left them.
  • States that his fear is greater than his love for his family.

• Vocabulary

  • Pernicious: Destructive, harmful.
  • Laudable: Praiseworthy.
  • Redress: Set right; correct.
  • Hoodwink: Trick; deceive.
  • Avarice: Greediness.
  • Concord: Harmony; peace; agreement.

• Background on Lucifer

  • Combination of Latin words "Luc" (light) and "fer" (carry).
  • Described as the leader of the rebellion of angels in Macbeth.

• Literary Terms

  • Motif: A recurring element in literature;
  • Examples in Macbeth: bloodiness, visions, clothing, planting/weed metaphor.
  • Foil: A character that highlights traits in another character through contrasting qualities.

Key Character Interactions

• Lady Macduff and Her Son

  • Lady Macduff tests her son’s understanding by saying Macduff is dead.
  • Her son reasons that liars are foolish since they outnumber honest men.

• Messenger's Warning to Lady Macduff

  • Warns her of impending danger; she realizes innocence won't save her.
  • Result: Lady Macduff and her son are murdered.

• Malcolm's Suspicions of Macduff

  • Suspects Macduff is trying to win favor with Macbeth.

• Malcolm's Test of Macduff

  • Claims he is lustful and greedy, prompting Macduff's responses regarding manageability and Scotland's wealth.
  • Ultimately reveals it was a test of Macduff’s loyalty.

• Edward the Confessor

  • Described as a good king capable of healing the sick, contrasting with Macbeth's tyranny.

• Ross's Initial Lie to Macduff

  • Tells Macduff his family is okay before revealing the truth of their murder.

• Malcolm’s Army

  • States that England has provided him with 10,000 soldiers.

• Response to Grief

  • Malcolm advises that they should seek revenge against Macbeth to heal their grief.