Macbeth
Act 4,
Scenes 1-3
Pre-reading Activity -
Before you continue and begin reading Act 4, please consult the following:
Act 4 brings back the 3 wyrd sisters who were introduced to us at the beginning of the play. Start to think about what they will say/do next. How do you think they are going to affect the rest of the play, based on what you know occurred from the last time they were present?
Brief Summary -
Below is a video summary of the major events that took place in Act 4. Enjoy!
Themes -
Violence – Act 4 comprises of much violence in its scene. From the apparition of the blood-covered child in Scene 1 to the Macduff’s enraged vow to kill Macbeth in Scene 3, Act 4 is filled with violent imagery, references and actions the characters make.
Fate – The theme of fate is apparent in Act 4 in the sense that the scenes allude to something that will take place further in the play. This is can also be referred to as foreshadowing. The most obvious form of fate that takes place in Act 4, is the form in which the apparitions appear to Macbeth. The head wearing a crown symbolizes Macbeth’s fate and/or Macduff’s rebellion. The blood-covered child signifies that Macduff was born by caesarian section and the child wearing a crown and carrying a tree represents Malcolm. Just as with violence, the theme of fate is demonstrated in the imagery and the characters speech/actions in Act 4.
Ambition – The theme of ambition can be found mainly in two characters in Act 4. Those characters being Macbeth and Macduff. Although the ambition present in Macbeth may not go with the best intentions, regardless, Macbeth is determined to set himself in the position of King of Scotland no matter what it costs. This is apparent when he swears to murder Macduff’s family, because the apparition warned him of Macduff getting in the way of his potential reign as King. In terms of Macduff, we can see his ambition when he asks for Malcolm’s assistance in invading Scotland. Macduff understands that this is not an easy feat (the act of England invading Scotland), but he understands that Scotland will be doomed unless Macbeth is removed from power.
Important Quotes -
“Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff; / Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me: enough.” (4. 1. 77-78)
The apparition of the head in a helemet
“Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn / The power of man, for none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth.” (4. 1. 85-87)
The apparition of the blood-covered baby
“Be lion-metted, proud, and take care / Who cafes, who frets, or where conspirers are: / Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until / Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill / Shall come against him.” (4.1 98-102)
The apparition of the baby with a crown holding a tree.
“Macduff : He has no children. All my pretty ones? / Did you say all? O, hell-kite! All? / What, all my pretty chickens and their dam / At one fell swoop?
Malcolm: Dispute it like a man.
Mcduff: I shall do so; / But I must also feel it as a man: / I cannot but remember such things were, / That were most precious to me. Did heaven look on, / And would not take their part? Sinful Macduff, / They were all struck for thee! naught that I am, / Not for their own demerits, but for mine, / Fell slaughter on their souls: heaven rest them now.” (4. 3. 253-265)
Macduff is talking about that fact that he is upset about the murders of his family. He may be talking about how Malcolm cannot understand what he is going through because he has no children. He may be referring to that fact that he cannot take appropriate revenge on Macbeth because he has never experienced paternal love.
Questions -
Rank the above “Important Quotes” in order of importance. Provide a rationale for why you placed a quote in a certain rank. In your opinion, what do you think is the most important quote from Act 4? You may use any of the above quotes, but you may also pull a quote from the play that is not found above. Justify why you think the chosen quote is the most important of the play. Who said it? What is the underlying message of the quote? Is the quote suggesting a future event or action?
People choose to hear and see only what they wish to. The visions that were shown to Macbeth by the witches are to him, favourable prophecies. If you were the one hearing these prophecies, how might you have interpreted them differently? Why? If you had the opportunity to talk to Macbeth after he heard these prophecies what kind of advice and or cautions would you offer him? Why? Think about how Macbeth has acted throughout the play up to this point. Do you think Macbeth would have listened to your advice/cautions?
At this point in the play Macbeth has been declared “this fiend of Scotland” (4.3.271), but we have not seen him since the banquet scene. What do you think he has been doing, based off what you have read about in this Act? Be sure to explain your answers and have example/evidence. Do you think the “fiend of Scotland” is an accurate label for Macbeth? Why? Given what you know, do you feel an sympathy for Macbeth and what he is going through/what he is doing? Elaborate.
Mini Assignment -
You have just returned home from a trip to Scotland under Macbeth’s rule. The travel magazine you work for has heard of the chaotic state Scotland is in and has assigned you the job of writing a travel advisory that will be published in the magazines next issue. You are to give a brief overview of your experience while in the county, give cautions about travel to Scotland and suggestions for avoiding difficulties with the authorities should someone insist on traveling to Scotland.
Go on to familiarize yourself with what a typical trip advisory looks like. Look specifically at the link on the site to see what a travel advisory consists of.
Use to complete your travel assignment.
Refer to the checklist below to see exactly what it expected of you for this mini assignement
Please post your finished travel advisories to the Padlet