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ENG2D – MACBETH UNITAct IV (4)Act IV, Scenes I – III (1 – 3) Act 4, Scene 1Setting: A cavernWho:Three witchesHecateMacbethLennoxWhat happens in this scene?The three witches are standing around a cauldron, chanting spells and adding bizarre ingredients to their stew: “eye of newt and toe of frog, / Wood of bat and tongue of dog” (Lines 14 – 15) Hecate compliments the witches on their workOne of the witches then chants: “By the pricking of my thumbs, / Something wicked this way comes” (Lines 61-62)Macbeth enters and asks the witches to reveal the truth of their prophecies to himThe witches summon horrible apparitions, each of which offers a prediction to allay Macbeth’s fearsFirst, a floating head warns him to beware of Macduff; Macbeth says he has already guessed thisThen a bloody child appears and tells him that “none of woman born / shall harm Macbeth” (Lines 96-97) Next a crowned child holding a tree tells him that he is safe until Birman Wood moves to Dunsinane HillFinally a procession of eight crowned kings walks by, the last carrying a mirror. Banquo’s ghost walks at the end of the lineMacbeth demands to know the meaning of this final vision, but the witches perform a mad dance and then vanishLennox enters and tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled to EnglandMacbeth resolves to send murderers to capture Macduff’s castle and to kill Macduff’s wife and childrenWriting Prompts:(8) Compare & Contrast: Macbeth & BanquoAmbition: Banquo and Macbeth both get exciting prophecies from the witches, but they react in very different ways. How do their reactions reflect their different personalities and ambitions? How do they act toward each other after the prophecies? (9) No Man of Women BornAct 4, Scene 1This passage is a perfect example of the double speak and inversion used by the witches throughout the play. The prophecy gives Macbeth a false sense of security because he does not know that Macduff was delivered by c-section. What is the significance of Macduff’s birth? Do you agree that being delivered by c-section makes him “not of women born”? How does the meaning of this prophecy change if it reads “no man born of women”?Act 4, Scene 2Setting: Macduff’s castleWho:Lady Macduff and her sonMessengerMurderersWhat happens in this scene?Lady Macduff accosts Ross, demanding to know why her husband has fled. She feels betrayedRoss insists that she trust her husband’s judgment and then regretfully departsLady Macduff tells her son that his father is dead, but the little boy perceptively argues he is notA messenger hurries in, warning Lady Macduff that she is in danger and urgers her to fleeLady Macduff protests, arguing that she has done no wrongA group of murderers enter When one of them denounces Macduff, Macduff’s son calls the murderer a liar, and the murderer stabs himLady Macduff turns and runs, and the pack of killers chases after herAct 4, Scene 3Setting: Outside of King Edward’s palaceWho:MalcolmMacduffRossWhat happens in this scene?Outside of the palace, Malcolm speaks with Macduff, telling him that he does not trust him since he has left his family in Scotland and may be secretly working for MacbethTo determine if Macduff is trustworthy, Malcolm rambles on about his own vices. He admits that he wonders if he is fit to be king, since he claims to be lustful, greedy, and violentAt first, Macduff politely disagrees with his future king, but eventually Macduff cannot keep himself from crying out, “O Scotland, Scotland! (Line 101)Macduff’s loyalty to Scotland leads him to agree that Malcolm is not fit to govern Scotland and perhaps not even to liveMacduff has passed Malcolm’s test of loyaltyMalcolm then retracts the lies he has put forth about his supposed shortcomings and embraces Macduff as an allyA doctor appears briefly and mentions that a “crew of wretched souls” waits for King Edward so they may be cured (line 142)When the doctor leaves, Malcolm explains to Macduff that King Edward has a miraculous power to cure diseaseRoss arrives from Scotland and tells Macduff that his wife and children are wellHe urges Malcolm to return to his country, listing the woes that have befallen Scotland since Macbeth took the crownMalcolm says that he will return with ten thousand soldiers lent him by the English kingRoss confesses to Macduff that Macbeth has murdered his wife and childrenMacduff is crushed with griefMalcolm urges him to turn his grief into anger, and Macduff assures him that he will inflict revenge upon MacbethReview of Act 4The witches show Macbeth three apparitions which warn him to beware Macduff, promise him that "none of woman born shall harm Macbeth," and assure him he will remain safe until Birnam Wood moves. He feels comforted by these prophecies without seeing their double meaning but is shaken by a vision of Banquo and his eight descendants. (I.) Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty to Scotland, and they plan strategy with English forces to oust Macbeth. (iii.) Meanwhile, Macbeth has Lady Macduff and all her children slain. (ii.)Writing Prompt:(10) What Makes a Modern ManAct 4, Scene 3How do the values of manhood differ in modern times? What do you think it takes to be a good man? ................
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