Act 4

• Engels
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• GCSE

Lesson objectives 

You will consider the apparitions 

You will investigate Act 4 scene 2 why is it there and what does it portray to the audience 

We will start to consider Act 4 scene 3

Act 4 scene 1 

“Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware of Macduff!/ Beware of the Thane of Fife! Dismiss me.- Enough.” 

an armed head.

a bloody child

a crowned head holding a tree 

“Macbeth! Macbeth!Macbeth!- (…) Be bloody, bold and resolute! Laugh to scorn/The power of man-for none of woman born/ Shall harm Macbeth.” 

“Be lion-melted, proud, and take no care/ Who chafes, who frets,/or where conspirers are/Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until/ Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane hill/ Shall come against him.”. 

Match the appearance of the apparition to the prophecy that it gives. 

Act 4 scene 1 

What goes into the spell? List the ingredients. 

Make your own spell 

List the ingredients. 

Act 4 scene 2

Act 4, Scene 2 now opens with the action taking place in Macduff’s castle and family home.

Consider: What is the significance of this? How does Shakespeare use setting and structure to create tension?

Act 4 scene 1 

Lady Macbeth 

Lady Macduff 

How does Shakespeare explore the gender roles of women through these two characters? 

Act 4 scene 2

1. How does Lady Macduff feel about her husband’s departure?
2. What implications are there in the descriptions ‘fly’ and ‘flight’?
3. Why does she mention the wren and an owl here?
4. Which lines are the most significant in your opinion?

From beginning Act 4 scene to line 14 

Act 4 scene 2

1. How does the Thane of Ross feel in this scene?
   
2. Which lines are the most significant in your opinion and why?From line 14 to line 27 
3. How do you feel about Lady Macduff’s character?
4. Why is her view of traitors here significant?
5. From line 30 - line 62

Act 4 scene 2 lines 79 - 85

Language features 

1. Pronouns ( 'your' 'thou', ' you') 

What effect do the pronouns used in this scene have?

2. Adjectives. What effect does Lady Macduff's use of the adjective 'unsanctified' have here? 

3. Shared lines. What is the effect of the shared lines between these characters 

Act 4 scene 2

1. What does the conversation reveal between Lady Macduff and her son about the relationship of the Macduffs?

2. Why is it important for us to see Lady Macduff and her son before the murderers arrive?

3. Before this scene we already know Macbeth is a murderer. What is the significance of this scene on the audience?

Macbeth 

What is the worst thing that Macbeth has done in the play so far? What makes you think that? 

Macbeth 

Are the following qualities masculine, feminine or both? Brave, Loyal, Weak, Strong, Aggressive, Creative, Sentimental, Patient, Kind, Intelligent, Caring, Fair, Curious, Adventurous 

Which characters embody which qualities? 

Some opinions 

Macduff ‘is torn between being a father to his children and fighting for his country’.

Macduff is a ‘great man who has to sacrifice things for the greater good'

What decision has he had to make?

Do you think he made the right choice?

 

Act 4 scene 2

Macduff foil to Macbeth 

Macduff is gone to pray the holy king, upon his aid… [so] that a swift blessing may soon return to this our suffering country under a hand accursed!

Act 3, Scene 6

Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself, Within my sword's length set him.

Act 4, Scene 3

I think our country sinks

Act 4, Scene 3

What had he done, to make him fly the land?  

Act 4, Scene 2

He loves us not  

Act 4, Scene 2

Why in that rawness left you wife and child….those strong knots of love,  

Without leave-taking?  

Act 4, Scene 3 

My wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still  

Act 5, Scene 7 

[Basilikon doron], or, His Majesties instructions to his dearest sonne Henry the Prince. 1603

Act 4 scene 3

The Basilikon Doron lays out James's beliefs as to how a good king should rule his kingdom. It is divided into three parts: the first covering how to be a Christian king; the second covering practical aspects of kingship; and the third covering the king's behaviour in everyday life. The text uses examples from antiquity to illustrate points made and clearly demonstrates how James himself viewed kingship (although the printed editions were likely edited to appeal to a wider audience).

The major theme in the text is James's belief in the Divine Right of Kings, that is, the idea that monarchs were chosen by God, and thus their actions could only be judged by God. 

Royal collection Trust website