Macbeth - Act 4

Macbeth - Act 4

1. The Witches make more predictions

   • "Double, double toil and trouble"
     • This reminds us of the Witches evil intentions
       • 'Double' hints at a double meaning
   • The Witches play on Macbeth's lust for power
     • They pretend to obey him
       • "Speak"/"Demand"/"We'll answer"
     • They know his biggest weakness is his ambition
     • They trick him into asking for the apparations

2. Macduff learns that his family are dead

   • Rosse tells Macduff that his family have been killed
     • His reluctance to break the news creates drama
   • "All my pretty ones?"/"Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?"
     • This shows Macduff's grief
       • His short-sentences, rhetorical questions and repetition of the word 'all' show how he can't believe what Rosse has told him
   • This motivates Macduff to get revenge on Macbeth and his cruel reign

3. Lady Maduff and her son's murder

   • Lady Macduff is angry and scared because her husband has left her to protect their castle and children
     • Her fear shows how afraid people are under Macbeth's rule
       • "to do harm"/"is often laudable"
         • This shows how the morals of Scotland have been turned upside down
   • Lady Macduff compares herself to a wren protecting her nest from an owl
     • This refers back to the imagery created in Act 2, Scene 4 of the owl killing the falcon
       • It shows that Macbeth is now killing defenceless prey
   • The murder of Lady Macduff happens on stage
     • This shows how Macbeth is no longer concerned about people seeing his terrible crimes

4. Malcom tests Macduff's loyalty

   • Macduff goes to England to convince Malcom to raise an army against Macbeth
     • Malcom doesn't trust Macduff
       • This shows the fear and suspicion Macbeth has created
   • Malcom thinks that because Macduff's family hasn't been harmed he must support Macbeth
     • This creates dramatic irony - the audience knows that Macduff's family has been murdered
     • Malcom learnt from Duncan's mistakes - he doesn't blindly trust the thanes
       • Kingship
   • Malcom tests his loyalty by pretending to be more evil than Macbeth
     • Macduff passes Malcom's test by proving that he's loyal to Scotland and won't support another tyrant