Study Guide for Macbeth Acts IV and V

  1. Act IV begins with Macbeth returning to the witches to learn what he can of his future. Three apparitions appear to Macbeth. What prophecy does each one give?
  2. (lines 71-72)______
  3. (lines 79-81)______
  4. (lines 90-94)______
  1. When Macbeth insists on knowing what the future holds for Banquo’s children, what do the witches show him? (lines 111-124)
  1. After seeing these visions and receiving news that Macduff has gone to England, what resolution does Macbeth makes (lines 146-149)?
  1. In scene 2, Ross is trying to describe to Lady Macduff why her husband has gone to England and what Scotland is like under Macbeth’s rule.
  2. What does Ross say about Macduff (lines 16-17)?
  1. What does he say about Scotland (lines 18-22)?
  1. What happens to Lady Macduff and her children after Ross leaves (lines 75-81)?
  1. In scene 3, Macduff has gone to England to pledge his support to Malcolm. Malcolm, not trusting Macduff, speaks badly of himself in order to test Macduff’s loyalty. When Macduff makes it clear that his first loyalty is to Scotland, Malcolm knows that he can trust him. What statements by Malcolm make up the “test”?
  2. (lines 50-54)
  1. (lines 56-65)
  1. (lines 76-84)
  1. (lines 91-99)
  1. What plans does Malcolm reveal to Macduff (lines 131-135)?
  1. What news does Ross bring to Macduff (lines 204-207)?
  1. What action will the three men take (lines 233-240)?

(Act V)

  1. For what reason has Lady Macbeth’s gentlewoman called the doctor (lines 1-8)?
  1. When Lady Macbeth enters sleepwalking, what does she appear to be doing (lines 25-33)?
  1. Lady Macbeth talks while sleepwalking. What three past events does she mention?
  1. (lines 34-35)______
  2. (line 37)______
  3. (lines 53-54)______
  1. In scene 3, lines 1-10, Macbeth insists on disregarding the advancing army. Why?
  1. What does Malcolm order his soldiers to do while they are in Birnam Wood (scene 4, lines 4-7)?
  1. What news does Macbeth receive in scene 5, line 16?
  1. In lines 17-28, Macbeth describes how he views life at this point.
  1. What does he say about his “tomorrows”?
  1. What does he say about his “yesterdays”?
  1. Life is a “poor actor” who does what?
  1. Life is what kind of “tale” and “told” by whom?
  1. What news does the servant bring Macbeth in lines 33-35?
  1. What soldier does Macbeth defeat in scene 7?
  1. In scene 8, Macbeth meets Macduff – the one person he has most dreaded meeting. What does he learn about Macduff (lines 14-15)?
  1. What is the outcome of the fight between Macduff and Macbeth?
  1. Who is crowned the kind of Scotland (lines 54-55)?