Macbeth Act 4 & 5

Review

Important Characters

- Macbeth- Lady Macbeth- The Witches- Macduff- Malcolm

Important Events: Act 4, Scene 1

- The Witches have gathered again to meet Macbeth; they give him three more

predictions/warnings

- To beware Macduff

- No man of woman born shall defeat Macbeth

- Macbeth will remain undefeated until Birnam Wood marches against him

- Macbeth considers himself invincible

Important Events: Act 4, Scene 2

- Macbeth has learned that Macduff is in England raising an army against him with

Malcolm

- In retaliation, Macbeth has Lady Macduff and Macduff’s son murdered

Important Events: Act 4, Scene 3

- Takes place in England; Malcolm and Macduff agree to trust each other and plan to

launch an attack against Macbeth

- Macduff receives news that his wife and son have been murdered by Macbeth

Important Events: Act 5, Scene 1

- Doctor and Lady Macbeths servant talking about her sleepwalking and sleeptalking

- Lady Macbeth appears, sleepwalking, wringing her hands and talking about the

bloody spot that won’t come out

- Her guilt at her role in Macbeth’s murderous rampage is beginning to take its toll

Important Events: Act 5, Scene 2

- Soldiers discussing the plans for the attack against Macbeth and plan to put

Malcolm on the throne

- They will meet at Birnam Wood and march upon Dunsinane

- They say that Macbeth’s army only supports him because they are afraid of him

- They state that it’s no wonder Macbeth has gone insane, he has so much guilt for

what he has done

Important Events: Act 5, Scene 3

- Macbeth is brought news of the planned attack. He is not worried because he still

believes himself unbeatable. How could a forest march against him? And how can

anyone not be born of a woman?

Important Events: Act 5, Scene 4

- Malcolm, Macduff, and their army have gathered at Birnam Wood

- They plan to have all soldiers carry large branches and pieces of the trees in front of

them as they march to conceal the size of the army

- This will also make it look as though Birnam Wood is moving (witches warning)

Important Events: Act 5, Scene 5

- Macbeth learns of his wife’s suicide, but seems unphased - he is so caught up in his

ambition that he no longer even cares for his wifes well being

- Learns that it looks as though Birnam Wood is marching on Dunsinane

- Begins to question the prophecies of the witches

Important Events: Act 5, Scene 6

- Attack has officially started

- Siward will lead the first attack

- Macduff and Malcolm will do the rest

Important Events: Act 5, Scene 7

- Young Siward is killed by Macbeth, who is still convinced that he will not be killed

because no man born of woman can kill him

- Macbeths castle has been surrendered by the men inside

- Macduff plans to attack Macduff

Important Events: Act 5, Scene 8

- Macduff and Macbeth encounter each other

- We learn that Macduff was born via c-section, not natural, so technically not from a

woman (sneaky witches)

- Macduff kills and beheads Macbeth

- Malcolm is made king

Important Quotes

“Be blood, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn. The power of man, for none of woman born

shall harm Macbeth.” The Witches, Act 4, Scene 1.

- Prediction made by the witches. Sets Macbeth up for failure by giving him false

hope. Theme: fate vs free will, influence of supernatural

Important Quotes

“Macbeth shall never be vanquished until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill;

Shall come against him.” The Witches, Act 4, Scene 1

- Third prediction by the witches, Macbeth cannot be defeated until Birnam Wood (a

forest) marches against him. Again, sets Macbeth up for failure by giving him false

hope. Theme: fate vs free will; influence of supernatural

Important Quotes

“By pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.” The Witches, Act 4, Scene

1

- The Witches stating that Macbeth has arrived. They are calling him wicked, showing

his true nature. Theme: appearance vs reality; influence of supernatural (the

witches has a role in bringing out his true self)

Important Quotes

“Out, damned spot.” Lady Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 1

- Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking and sleep talking, wringing and washing her hands,

saying this line. Her guilt at her role in Macbeths murderous rampage is getting to

her. She cannot wash the blood from her hands, which is a metaphor for being

unable to forgive yourself for your actions. Theme: Guilt, Dangers of Ambition

Important Quotes

“ As I did stand my watch upon the hill, I looked towards Birnam and anon methought the

wood began to move.” Messenger to Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5

- Soldiers carrying branches have begun their march against Dunsinane, making it

look as though the forest is marching. Macbeth begins to doubt the witches. Theme:

Fate vs free will, appearance vs reality

Important Quotes

“Despair thy charm, and let the angel whom thou still hast served tell thee, Macduff was

from his mother’s womb untimely ripped.” Macduff, Act 5, Scene 8

- Macduff was born via C-Section, therefore not from a woman naturally. He is able to

defeat Macbeth. Theme: appearance vs reality, influence of supernatural; fate vs

free will

Vocabulary

1. Toil

2. Vanquish

3. Vice

4. Perturbation

5. Recoil

6. Speculative

7. Abhorred

8. Brandish

Questions

1. How is the theme of GUILT portrayed in scene 4 and 5?

2. How is the theme of DANGERS OF AMBITION portrayed in scene 4 and 5?

3. What warnings/prophecies do the witches made for Macbeth?

4. How do these prophecies play out?

5. What is an example of character vs self conflict in the play?

6. What is an example of character vs supernatural conflict in the play?

7. Provide an example of a static character in the play? A dynamic character?