MacBeth Act IV Study-Guide

What are the three witches doing?
They are creating a potion that will cause the three illusions to appear in front of Macbeth.
2. Who goes to meet the witches? Why?

Macbeth goes to meet them because he wants more questions about his future answered.
3. What does a “Deed without a name” mean?

It means that there isn’t a word that describes what they’re doing.
4. How has Macbeth’s attitude toward the witches changed from their earlier meeting?
He has a more trustworthy attitude toward the witches; he no longer doubts their predictions. He
treats their words like gospel and believes everything they tell him.
5. (Recall from Act III) – What do the witches plan to do with Macbeth?
They plan to give him a sense of overconfidence and a false sense of security.
6. What is the first apparition? Explain.

The first apparition appears as a head wearing a helmet. It tells Macbeth that he should not trust
Macduff.
7. What is the second apparition? Explain.

The second apparition is a bloody child that tells Macbeth that “none of woman born” shall harm
him.
8. What is the third apparition? Explain.

The third apparition is a child with a crown on his head and a tree in his hand. He tells Macbeth
that he won’t be defeated until Birnham Wood rises to fight him at Duninane Hill.
9. What is the last apparition the witches show Macbeth? Who is it in regards to? And what
does it signify?
The last apparition is a line of eight kings, the last in line holding a mirror. The kings resemble
Banquo and signifies that Banquo’s lineage will hold the throne for many generations.
10. Why do the witches show Macbeth the last apparition?

He asked the witches if Banquo’s family ever takes the throne, and after they refuse to answer,
he threatens them and demands to be satisfied.
11. Why do you think Lennox waited until now to tell Macbeth about Macduff in England?
He wanted to wait until the last second so that Macbeth was kept in the dark as long as possible
and Macduff had lots of time to work with the king.
12. Why does Macbeth choose to kill MacDuff’s family?

He wants to punish Macduff for his traitorous actions and he wants to drive Macduff back into
Scotland.
13. Why does Lady Macduff think that her husband went to England?
She thought he felt unsafe in Scotland and fled out of fear.
14. What is there “Utter” confusion about it England?

In Scene III, people of England are confused and bewildered by King Edward’s supernatural
healing powers. They believe it is a gift he received from God.
15. Compare and Contrast Lady Macduff and Lady Macbeth

The women are similar because they both defy the standard submissive and quiet gender norm
that was so prevalent at the time. They’re both quick to insult and criticize their husbands, as
well. They differ because unlike Lady Macbeth, Lady Macduff knew nothing of Macduff’s plan
to recruit the King of England and obviously isn’t as close to her husband as Lady Macbeth is to
Macbeth.
16. Contrast the method used in each murder episode? What does this signify?
When he first began murdering, Macbeth kept it secret and hidden to make sure that nobody
would find out. In Act IV, however, he bluntly sends his men to kill Macbeth’s family with no
fear of people finding out. This signifies Macbeth’s descent into tyranny and his abuse of his
power.
17. What does this say about Macbeth?

This shows that Macbeth has truly gone mad and is willing to do whatever he must to keep
power, with no fear of the consequences.
18. Who dies in Scene 2? Include everyone you can.
During Scene 2, we only see two people die: Lady Macduff and her son. However, context from
other scenes let’s us know that Macbeth sent men to kill Lady Macduff, all of Macduff’s
children, anyone they could find that was related to Macduff, and any servants he had.
19. Who is Macduff trying to get to help him invade Scotland?

Macduff is trying to persuade King Edward to give him the aid of Northumberland and the man
named Siward.
20. Why does the fact that Macduff left his family alone make Malcolm suspicious?
He doesn’t understand why he would leave his family, the very thing he values the most, alone
and undefended while he actively betrays Macbeth.
21. Who are the only people that “Smile?” (According to Ross.) What does he mean by this
statement?
Only the fools that are ignorant to what is going on are smiling. He means that anybody who has
a basic idea of the chaos and unrest happening in Scotland is not living happily.
22. What terrible news does Ross bring Macduff?

Ross informs Macduff that Macbeth had attacked his castle and slaughtered his family.

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What are the three witches doing in the beginning?

Who goes to meet the witches and why?

What are the three witches doing?

2. Who goes to meet the witches? Why?

3. What does a “Deed without a name” mean?

6. What is the first apparition? Explain.

7. What is the second apparition? Explain.

8. What is the third apparition? Explain.

10. Why do the witches show Macbeth the last apparition?

12. Why does Macbeth choose to kill MacDuff’s family?

14. What is there “Utter” confusion about it England?

15. Compare and Contrast Lady Macduff and Lady Macbeth

17. What does this say about Macbeth?

19. Who is Macduff trying to get to help him invade Scotland?

22. What terrible news does Ross bring Macduff?

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