The tragedy of macbeth

THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

Summary Act IV

ACT IV SCENE 1

Macbeth returns to the witches’ cave for more predictions about his future.

3 Apparitions are brought forth.

Each apparition has a message for him.

1ST APPARITIONA C T I V S C E N E 1

2N D APPARITION

3R D APPARITION

“EXTRA” VISION

Banquo appears at the end of a long line of kings. He holds a

mirror so this image is reflected – stretching out the line of heirs to

the throne.

The witches refuse to explain this image.

Macbeth sends assassins to Macduff’s Castle(even though

Macduff has gone to England)

ACT IV SCENE 2

Lady Macduff is upset with her husband because he took off to England without telling her.

Ross arrives and tells her to leave; it’s dangerous to stay.

She stays and the hired assassins kill everyone in the Macduff’s castle

ACT IV SCENE 3

Malcolm and Macduff meet in England and discuss Macbeth’s

treachery and what they can do about it.

Ross informs Macduff that his family has been killed.

Malcolm urges him to turn his grief into anger and get revenge.

BRIEF ANALYSIS OF ACT IV

The 3 witches continue to advise Macbeth and give him a false

sense of security and a growing sense of paranoia.

It is not clear if the witches actually control the characters, or if

they just make evil suggestions in Macbeth’s mind.

Regardless, Macbeth has turned into a ruthless murder by Act IV

when he has Macduff’s entire household killed by hired men.