Act 3 Scene 4
What does Lady Macbeth keep threatening Macbeth with when he gets scared at dinner?
She keeps saying that he “wouldn’t be a man”
What does the appearance of Hecate signify?
Something worse is coming
Which of these words does Lennox use in a metaphor against Macbeth?
Dictator, tyrant, oppressor, bully
tyrant
Describe the three apparitions and their messages.
1) Armed Head -Beware Macduff
2) Bloody Child -No man born of woman shall harm him
3) A child with a crown & tree branch- Macbeth will not be conquered until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane hill
What does Lady Macduff say about Macduff fleeing to England?
She calls him a coward and is angry at him for abandoning his family and not stay and protect them
What does Macbeth’s fragile mental state say about him and the consequences of his actions on him?
He feels guilty and is at war with himself (man vs himself)
Why is Hecate angry at the 3 witches?
She is angry at the witches for giving Macbeth a prophecy and for interfering with Macbeth’s business without consulting her because he only wants to follow the prophecy for his personal gain
Give two of the examples Lennox uses when he talks to the unnamed lord about “weird stuff going on”
Duncan dying, Fleance fleeing a crime scene, and Malcolm + Donalbain kill their father
What are the witches putting in the pot and what do these things imply?
1. putting in parts, blood, most parts are poisonous some undesirable
2. implying that Macbeth is no longer human half monster half man
3.he has lost his humanity
Why does Ross feel the need to defend Macduff and the reasons for leaving?
He believes that they should not judge too quickly about his reasons
Why does Macbeth refuse to sit at the table? What is stopping him? Explain why you think this happens.
Banquo’s ghost is there because of Macbeth’s guilt and only amplifies his his thoughts and is the reason why he’s having hallucinations
What according to Hecate is a mortal's chiefest enemy?
overconfidence
What does this quote mean in modern English? “Some holy angel fly to the court of England and unfold His message here he come, that a swift blessing May soon return to this our suffering country”
They’re hoping for a miracle soon and want King Edward to get rid of Macbeth
What dangers does the 2nd prophecy plague of Macbeth?
It gives him a false sense of security and makes him feel invincible
Why doesn’t Lady Macduff want to leave when the messenger informs her of the imminent danger?
She believes that she has done no wrong and therefore should not have to leave her home
What literary device does this line represent? “Stones have been known to move, and trees to speak” (Line 153-154).
Personification
Where is Macbeth going to meet the witches?
pit of Acheron → supposed to be a lake/swamp near Macbeth’s castle, but they call it The Acheron because that is the river from ancient Greek mythology that runs through the underworld known as the river of pain
Give the name of the king that Macduff and Malcolm ask for help from.
King Edward
Why is Macbeth’s self-proclaimed invincibility a threat to others?
Because he feels no threat from others and it makes him feel more power hungry
How is it ironic that Lady Macduff is angry at Macduff for caring for his family and being kind to them?
Lady Macbeth mocks Macbeth earlier for being too kind
Why does Macbeth agree to see the Weird Sisters again?
Macbeth agrees because he wants to make his prophecy secure
What theme is prominent in this scene?
fate
Is Lennox’s and the lord’s desperation is a result of fearing for their own lives, or fearing for other people and the chance they could be Macbeth’s next target?
Their nervousness stems from both of their fear for their own lives as well as the lives of other
Who are the eight that appear after the first three apparitions? Why is this significant?
Banquo descendants. It's a reference from the first prophecy and it shows how Banquo's part of the prophecy comes true.
What theme does the killing of Macduff’s family show?
The theme of Macbeth’s brutality?