Macbeth Act IV Study Guide

Macbeth Act IV Study Guide

Name: ______Period: ______Date: ______

Macbeth Act IV Study Guide

Literary terms:

Imagery-

Archetype-

Vocabulary:

pernicious-

judicious-

sundry-

intemperance-

avarice-

credulous-

Questions:

  1. What are the witches doing as the act begins?
  1. What are some of the items they are placing in the cauldron to create their magic brew?
  1. What does Macbeth demand of the witches?
  1. What three apparitions does Macbeth see and what do they tell him?
  1. When Macbeth claims he will “take a bond of fate,” what does he mean?
  1. Beyond the three apparitions what further vision does Macbeth see?
  1. What is the significance of the vision of the last descendent holding a mirror (glass)? What does this signify?
  1. Where has Macduff gone, and how will Macbeth revenge himself against Macduff?
  1. Contrast Macbeth’s attitude toward murdering Macduff’s family with his attitude about murdering Duncan. What is the difference?
  1. How does Macbeth interpret the prophecies made by the apparitions? Why does this make the murders he now plans even worse?
  1. What image is suggested by the Lady Macduff’s use of the words “fly” and “flight?
  1. How do Lady Macduff’s bird images show her nobility and her helplessness?
  1. Whom do Macbeth’s men kill?
  1. How do the images in scene iii, lines 1-4 help establish a contrast between Malcolm and Macduff? (What is that contrast?)
  1. To what might you attribute the differences between these two men?
  1. How is Malcolm’s comment in line 14 ironic?
  1. List some of the images Malcolm uses to describe Scotland:
  1. How does Malcolm describe himself to Macduff? Why do you think he does this?
  1. Consider Macduff’s response in lines 84-90. How does he feel about Malcolm’s claim of avarice? How does he reply to Malcolm’s confession?
  1. What report from Scotland does Ross bring? Why do you think he is hesitant to tell Macduff what has actually transpired with his family? Note the use of the word “peace.” In line 179.
  1. Why do you think Ross uses such an exaggerated image in lines 186-188?
  1. How does the image in line 206 emphasize the ghastly fate of Macduff’s family?
  1. How are Macduff’s grief and sorrow reflected in this scene?
  1. Note that manhood is discussed in line 219 and following. How do these images differ from previous ones?