Act 4 scene 1 Macbeth Lesson Objective At

Act 4, scene 1 Macbeth

Lesson Objective �At the end of this lesson we will have discussed the type of man Macbeth has now become.

Summary of Act 3, scene 5 �The witches meet with Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft. �She is angry that they spoke to Macbeth without asking her to help. �She ends by saying that they will ‘draw him on to his confusion’ and ruin him in the end.

Summary of Act 3, scene 6 �Lennox speaks with another Lord. Consider some key lines and what they tell us… ‘Banquo walked too late, whom you may say, if’t please you, Fleance killed, for Fleance fled’ ‘Who cannot want how monstrous it was for Malcolm and for Donalbain to kill their gracious father? ’

‘How it did grieve Macbeth! Did he not straight in pious rage the two delinquents tear…? ’ ‘So I say he has borne all things well…’ ‘I hear Macduff lives in disgrace’

Summary of Act 3, scene 6 �We find out that Malcolm and Macduff have sought the help of the Earl of Northumberland (Siward) in England. They hope to gain England’s help in overthrowing Macbeth. �Macduff went so far as to turn down a request to visit Macbeth – how do you suppose Macbeth would react to this?

Act 3 �Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both get what they want in this act – but are they happy? �It is interesting to note that Act 3 is the last act of the play in which the Macbeth’s appear together. Therefore, it marks the point where their relationship changes. �Look back on Lady Macbeth’s appearances in this act; how has their relationship changed?

Act 4, scene 1 �In this scene the witches prepare to meet with Macbeth again. Watch the start of the scene first. �We will need the following roles read: First Witch Second Witch Third Witch Hecate Macbeth First Apparition Second Apparition Third Apparition Lennox

Macbeth’s Obsession �Macbeth is obsessed with knowing the future. He says that ‘Howe’er you come to know it, answer me…. even till destruction sicken’

Apparition One �What does this apparition tell Macbeth? �What do you suppose Macbeth had hoped to ask it, before it disappeared? ‘But one more word-’

Apparition Two �What does the second apparition tell Macbeth? �How does Macbeth react?

Apparition Three �What does the third apparition tell Macbeth? �How do the three predictions serve to calm Macbeth?

�Macbeth demands to know what will happen with Banquo’s son, Fleance, despite being warned not to ask. What does this final vision show for Macbeth’s future?

Macbeth: A changed man �Macbeth’s suspicions about Macduff have been proven when he hears he has fled to England. What does he propose to do? How does this effectively show the type of man he has become?

Plenary �Add to your outline of Macbeth, recording information about the type of person he has become.