Plot
What were the witches doing at the beginning of Act 4, Scene 1?
They were making a potion to summon apparitions.
"Double, double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn and cauldron bubble" (4.1.20-21).
What does the apparition of a floating head represent?
It foreshadows Macduff beheading Macbeth in act 5.
How does Macbeth react to the discovery that Macduff had gone to England to join forces against Macbeth?
Macbeth declares that he will murder Macduff’s family and anyone in his castle.
Why did Macbeth visit the witches in Act 4, Scene 1?
Macbeth visited the witches to find out who may threaten his throne in the future.
What does the bloody child apparition represent?
It symbolizes Macduff’s c-section birth which later comes to be Macbeth’s demise.
What does Macduff’s wife think of him?
She thinks he is a coward who doesn’t love his family.
Why did Macbeth want Macduff and his innocent family murdered?
Macbeth wanted Macduff and his family dead because the First Apparition predicted that Macduff would be a threat to Macbeth.
"Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!
Beware Macduff,
Beware the Thane of Fife" (4.1.77-79).
What does the crowned child holding a tree represent?
It represents Malcolm, Duncan’s son and heir to the throne, using Birnam Wood as camouflage while advancing on Macbeth.
What is the son of Macduff’s philosophy after discovering his father is “dead”?
He say he will live “as birds do” with what he has. He is hopeful and positive.
Describe Lady Macduff's reaction to the discovery that her husband has fled.
Lady Macduff is angry that her husband abandoned his family. She believes he is a coward and does not love them.
"All is the fear and nothing is the love,
As little is the wisdom, where the flight
So runs against all reason" (4.2.14-16).
What do the eight kings followed by Banquo symbolize?
They predict Banquo’s lineage taking the throne for many decades to come, despite Macbeth’s efforts to stop this prophecy.
How does the murder of Macduff’s family symbolize a change in Macbeth’s character?
This murder makes him more malicious as he has taken to murdering innocent people who have done him no harm and pose no threat to him.