Act 4, Scene 1
Characters: The three witches, Hecate, Macbeth,
and Lennox
Setting: A cavern, Night
- A visually stunning scene.
- Macbeth returns to the witches
to see if he can learn more
“Beware Macduff”
about his future.
-They show him four apparitions (a departure
from their earlier way of
communicating with him).
“Macbeth shall never
vanquish’d be until
Great Birnhame Wood
to high Dunsinane
Hill shall come
against him.”
Act 4, Scene 1, continued
Characters: The three witches, Hecate, Macbeth, Lennox
Setting: A cavern, Night
• Macbeth is quick to either believe or
dismiss the messages of each apparition
as it suits him. He is angry and paranoid.
• Lennox enters and informs Macbeth that
Macduff has fled to England, presumably
to prepare for war against Macbeth.
• Macbeth vows to fight and to slaughter
Macduff and his family.
Banquo’s line of kings
Act 4, Scene 2
Characters: Lady Macduff, Ross, Macduff’s young son,
a messenger, a murderer
Setting: Fife, Macduff’s castle
•Lady Macduff opens this
scene discussing the
disarray in Scotland
and (surprise)
attacking her husband’s
masculinity. Why has he
fled and left them alone?
•Macbeth carries out his
most heinous deed so far.
•He murders Macduff’s
defenseless family for no
discernable reason.
•At this point it becomes nearly impossible for the audience
to sympathize with Macbeth.
Act 4, Scene 3
Characters: Macduff, Malcolm, Ross,
Doctor
Setting: England, King Edward’s
castle
• The longest scene in the play.
• It is the only scene not in Scotland,
and it exudes peace and order. England
is depicted as a place of Christianity and
goodness. A stark contrast to the chaos and wickedness
gripping Scotland.
• Macduff arrives in England to meet with Malcolm. They are both
wary, and test each other to see if either is loyal to Macbeth.
They eventually determine that they are united against Macbeth.
Much of this scene is spent extolling the virtues of England and King
Edward the confessor.
• Ross arrives and informs Macduff that his entire family has been slain,
• Macduff swears to seek revenge against Macbeth.