Macbeth, Act 4 (April 01)
Macbeth, Act 4 (April 1)
Learning objective: Students will analyze the three apparitions and explain how Macbeth misinterprets their prophecies, leading to his downfall.
Students will analyze the murder of Lady Macduff and her son, and explain how this scene affects Macduff and drives the plot toward the final conflict.
AERO Standards: RL.11-12.1, RL.11-12.2, RL.11-12.5
Reminder: No Camera = No Attendance
Lesson duration is: 30 minItems in this lesson
Macbeth, Act 4 (April 1)
Learning objective: Students will analyze the three apparitions and explain how Macbeth misinterprets their prophecies, leading to his downfall.
Students will analyze the murder of Lady Macduff and her son, and explain how this scene affects Macduff and drives the plot toward the final conflict.
AERO Standards: RL.11-12.1, RL.11-12.2, RL.11-12.5
Reminder: No Camera = No Attendance
How does Lady Macduff feel about her husband's flight? CHOOSE 2 ANSWERS.
Angry and abandoned
Sad and confused
Understanding—he's doing what's necessary
Scared for their safety
PASSAGE 1: Lady Macduff's Confusion
Text (Act 4, Scene 2):
LADY MACDUFF:
"What had he done to make him fly the land?
His flight was madness. When our actions do not,
Our fears do make us traitors."
ROSS:
"You know not
Whether it was his wisdom or his fear."
LADY MACDUFF:
"Wisdom? To leave his wife, to leave his babes,
His mansion and his titles in a place
From whence himself does fly? He loves us not..."
Translation: Lady Macduff is angry and confused. She thinks Macduff was crazy to flee—leaving his family behind makes him look like a traitor. Ross tries to defend him, but she feels abandoned and unloved.
Put yourself in Lady Macduff's position. Why is she so angry at her husband? Is her anger fair?
Write 2-3 sentences.
PASSAGE 2: The Son's Wisdom
Slide text
What does Lady Macduff tell her son?
He will live in the woods.
He must flee to England.
His father is gone.
He will become a king.
How does the boy plan to survive?
By asking for help.
By stealing food.
Like birds do.
By eating worms and flies.
What does Lady Macduff say about Macduff?
He is dead.
He is a traitor.
He is a hero.
He is a coward.
What is a traitor according to Lady Macduff?
Someone who is loyal.
Someone who breaks promises.
Someone who keeps secrets.
Someone who tells the truth.
What does the boy question about traitors?
If traitors are always caught.
If traitors are punished.
If traitors can be trusted.
If everyone who lies is a traitor.
PASSAGE 3: The Murderers Arrive
Text (Act 4, Scene 2):
[Enter a MESSENGER]
MESSENGER:
"Bless you, fair dame! I am not to you known,
Yet I am in danger of your household's safety.
... Be not found here; hence, with your little ones.
To fright you thus, methinks, I am too savage;
To do worse to you were fell cruelty.
Heaven preserve you! I dare stay no longer."
[Exit MESSENGER]
LADY MACDUFF:
"Whither should I fly?
I have done no harm. But I remember now
I am in this earthly world, where to do harm
Is often laudable, to do good sometime
Accounted dangerous folly..."
[Enter MURDERERS]
Fill in the blanks
A messenger arrives to warn Lady Macduff of danger.
He tells her to flee with her children.
Lady Macduff says she has done no harm.
She realizes that in this world, doing good can be dangerous.
After the messenger leaves, the murderers enter.
PASSAGE 4: The Boy's Death
In this scene, the murderers arrive at Macduff’s home looking for him. They ask Lady Macduff where her husband is, but she responds sharply that she hopes he is in a place where people like them cannot find him. One of the murderers calls Macduff a traitor, but Lady Macduff’s young son bravely speaks up and calls the murderer a liar. Angry at the boy’s courage, the murderer insults him and suddenly stabs him. As he is dying, the boy tells his mother that he has been killed and urges her to run away to save herself. Lady Macduff cries out for help and runs away in fear while the murderers chase after her. This violent moment shows how cruel Macbeth has become, ordering the murder of innocent people.
👁️ What We SEE
💔 What We FEEL
What do we see in this scene vs. What do we feel?
What does Lady Macduff hope for Macduff?
That he is safe from murderers.
That he is at home waiting.
What does one murderer call Macduff?
A coward.
A traitor.
What does the young boy call the murderer?
A traitor.
A liar.
What happens to Lady Macduff's son?
He is stabbed by the murderer.
He escapes safely with his mother.
What does Lady Macduff do at the end?
Runs away in fear.
Confronts the murderers bravely.
PASSAGE 5: Macduff in England
In this scene, Malcolm and Macduff meet in England to plan how to defeat Macbeth and save Scotland. At first, Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty by pretending that he would be a worse king than Macbeth, claiming he is greedy, immoral, and unfit to rule. Macduff becomes upset and says Scotland would be doomed if Malcolm were truly that corrupt. Seeing Macduff’s sincere concern for the country, Malcolm reveals that he was only testing him and that he is actually loyal and ready to fight Macbeth.
Ross then arrives from Scotland and brings terrible news. At first, he hesitates to tell Macduff the truth, but eventually reveals that Macbeth’s men attacked Macduff’s castle and brutally killed his wife, children, and servants. Macduff is devastated by the news but turns his grief into determination. Malcolm encourages him to use his anger as motivation, and together they prepare to lead an army against Macbeth and free Scotland from his tyranny.
Fill in the blanks
In this scene, Malcolm and Macduff meet in England to plan how to defeat Macbeth and save Scotland. At first, Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty by pretending that he would be a worse king than Macbeth, claiming he is greedy, immoral, and unfit to rule. Macduff becomes upset and says Scotland would be doomed if Malcolm were truly that corrupt. Seeing Macduff’s sincere concern for the country, Malcolm reveals that he was only testing him and that he is actually loyal and ready to fight Macbeth.
Ross then arrives from Scotland and brings terrible news. At first, he hesitates to tell Macduff the truth, but eventually reveals that Macbeth’s men attacked Macduff’s castle and brutally killed his wife, children, and servants. Macduff is devastated by the news but turns his grief into determination. Malcolm encourages him to use his anger as motivation, and together they prepare to lead an army against Macbeth and free Scotland from his tyranny.
What does Malcolm initially pretend to be?
A worse king than Macbeth
A skilled warrior
A loyal friend
A wise ruler
What news does Ross bring to Macduff?
Macduff's castle is safe
Malcolm has been captured
Macbeth has fled Scotland
Macbeth's men killed his family
How does Macduff react to the news?
He is devastated but determined
He is indifferent
He plans to surrender
He laughs uncontrollably
What motivates Macduff to fight?
His anger and grief
Wish for revenge only
Fear of Macbeth
Desire for wealth
Who does Malcolm meet in England?
Duncan
Ross
Banquo
Macduff
