Act IV discussion questions. Act IV, scene 1, lines 22-34 Explain and describe Hecate’s imagery— how is it significant?

• Act IV discussion questions

Act IV, scene 1, lines 22-34

• Explain and describe Hecate’s imagery—how is it significant?

Act IV, scene 1, lines 50-61

• Describe the imagery Macbeth uses in these lines.

• How is it significant?

Act IV, scene 1, lines 71-72

• What is the first piece of information the witches provide?

Act IV, scene 1, lines 80-82

• What is the second piece of information from the witches?

Act IV, scene 1, lines 90-94

• What is the third piece of information Macbeth receives from the witches?

Act IV, scene 1, lines 98-100

• How does Macbeth interpret the witches’ information?

Act IV, scene 1, lines 123-125

• What is the meaning of the apparition of eight kings?

Act IV, scene 1, lines 144-156

• What does Macbeth vow to do in lines 146-148, “…the very firstlings of my heart shall be / the firstlings of my hand.”

• What does Macbeth decide to do about the threat of Macduff?

Act IV, scene 2, lines 1-14

• How does Lady Macduff describe her husband’s departure (be specific)?

Act IV, scene 2, lines 30-60

• Why does Shakespeare includes this conversation between Lady Macduff and her child?

• What tone and effect are created by it?

Act IV, scene 2, lines 70-73

• How is Lady Macduff’s statement significant to the play as a whole (including its use of literary device)?

• “But I remember now / I am in this earthly world, where to do harm / is often laudable, to do good sometime / accounted dangerous folly.”

• Line 81: what happens to the Macduffs’ son?

Act IV, scene 3, lines 5-7

• How is dramatic irony created by these lines?

Act IV, scene 3, lines 13-18

• Lines 13-18: What does Malcolm suggest to Macduff?

Act IV, scene 3, lines 22-25

• “Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell: / Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, / yet grace must still look so.”

• What truth does Malcolm express here?

Act IV, scene 3, lines 22-25

• “Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell: / Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, / yet grace must still look so.”

• What theme is expressed?

• What literary device from Act I is reflected here?

Act IV, scene 3, lines 50-101 (pages 130-132)

• How does Malcolm describe himself in these lines?

Act IV, scene 3, 102-114

• How does Macduff respond in lines 102-114 (page 134)?

Act IV, scene 3, 114-137

• Page 134--In lines 114-137 Malcolm reveals why he described himself as he did. What is his reason?

Act IV, scene 3, lines 141-158

• What can the King of England do?

• Where does this ability come from?

• Why does Shakespeare include this information—how is it significant?

Act IV, scene 3, lines 176-179

• What literary devices are present in this conversation between Ross and Macduff?

• Why does Ross give these answers to Macduff’s questions?

Act IV, scene 3, lines 189-192

• When Malcolm says, “We are coming thither[,]” who is “we”?

• Where are they going?

• How will this bring “comfort” ?

Act IV, scene 3, lines 224-225

• Why does Macduff call himself “sinful” ?

Act IV, scene 3, lines 237-239

• What does Malcolm mean by this?