Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Honors 12
Objective: To recognize and analyze the threads of falling action and resolution that lead to catharsis in a
Shakespearean plot.
Macbeth: Act IV Summary and Questions
Scene i: The three witches are creating a potion. Macbeth enters and demands the witches listen to him. The witches
then conjure different apparitions to speak to Macbeth, giving him further prophesies of the future. Not totally satisfied,
Macbeth asks about the original prophesy to Banquo and gets an unwanted answer. Lennox enters with the news that
Macduff has indeed gone to England Macbeth plots to kill his (Macduffs) wife and children, then.
Scene ii: At Macduffs castle. Lady Macduff isnt sure why her husband has fled she is afraid that he has turned traitor.
This she discusses with her son. A messenger enters to warn her that she is in danger. Murderers enter asking the
whereabouts of Macduff and call him a traitor. The son defends his fathers name and is stabbed. Lady Macduff is chased
out by the murderers and killed off stage.
Scene iii: Malcolm and Macduff discuss the situation and test each others loyalty regarding challenging Macbeth and
trustworthiness in their meeting. Macduff wants Malcolm to rule, but Malcolm thinks he is too evil himself worse even
than Macbeth. He then tells Macduff the reason for revealing these sins. Malcolm then tells Macduff about the King of
Englands special gift of curing illnesses. Ross then enters all the way from Scotland to give Macduff the news of
Scotland. He tells them that all of Scotland would fight against Macbeths troops if someone would only come and lead
them against Macbeth. Then he gives the sorry news of Macduffs familys death and Macduff is devastated. They ready
themselves to go to fight.
12. What happens to Lady Macduff and her child (children)? Who dies on stage? Writers purpose for this
death?
Scene 3England-- Remember that Malcolm has escaped to England after the murder of his father Duncan.
13. Look up Edward the Confessor who was the king of England at this time. How is he described? (6 pts)
14. Malcolm tests Macduff by pretending to be guilty of horrid sins? What is his purpose in revealing
these sins to Macduff?
15. What is Macduffs response to the news that his wife and children are dead? What is Malcolms advice?
How does Macduff respond?
Concluding Analysis10 pts each
A. How are the witches toying with Macbeth?
B. What is the purpose of the death performed on stage in this act?
C. Macduff serves as a foil for Macbethhow so? What other character revealed or referred to in Scene 3
contrasts Macbeth?
Resources:
Terms-- Foil from Literary Devices.net
In literature, a foil is a character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character with the objective to
highlight the traits of the other character. The term foil, though generally being applied for a contrasting character, may also be used
for any comparison that is drawn to portray a difference between two things.
Terms--Catharsisfrom Encyclopedia Britannica online
Catharsis is the purification or purgation of the emotions (especially pity and fear) primarily through art. In criticism, catharsis is
a metaphor used by Aristotle in the Poetics to describe the effects of true tragedy on the spectator. The use is derived from the medical
term katharsis (Greek: purgation or purification). Aristotle states that the purpose of tragedy is to arouse terror and pity and
thereby effect the catharsis of these emotions.