Macbeth Act 4 Questions for study

Scene 1:

1. What are the three apparitions that appear to Macbeth? What does each of them say to him?

2. Why do the witches show Macbeth the eight kings?

3. What does Macbeth order to be done when he hears that Macduff has fled to England?

4. What statement does Macbeth make that shows his reluctance to murder has dramatically changed?

Scene 2:

5. What has Ross just told Lady Macduff?

6. How does Lady Macduff react to this news?

7. In line 73, a messenger arrives. What does he tell Lady Macduff to do?

8. Who is killed in this scene?

9. Why are the murders even more terrible than those previously committed?

10. No essential movement of the plot occurs in this scene. What dramatic purpose does this scene serve in the play?

Scene 3:

11. Why are Macduff's lines 5-9 ironic?

12. Why doesn't Malcolm trust Macduff?

13. In lines 30-32, what does Malcolm ask Macduff?

14. What forces has Malcolm promised Scotland?

15. Of what three character faults in lines 57-112 does Malcolm profess to have?

16. In lines 136-152, what does Malcolm tell Macduff?

17. Why had Malcolm lied about himself to Macduff?

18. In lines 185-194, what news about the condition of Scotland does Ross bring?

19. What personal information does Ross bring to Macduff?

20. In lines 266-267, what does Malcolm tell Macduff to do?