Act 1 Scene 1 (The Witches plan to meet Macbeth)
1) The play starts with thunder and lightning, which sets a dark and violent mood.
2) The Witches are the main character on the stage - this shows how important the theme of super natural is to the play. The Witches are mysterious - we don’t know what their purpose is.
3) The Witches speak in rhyming couplets, e.g. “When the hurly-burly’s done, / When the battle’s lost and won.” Only the supernatural characters in the play consistently use rhyme - it sets them apart from the other characters and makes their speech sound unnatural, as if they’re casting an evil spell.
4) The Witches plan to meet Macbeth, but don’t explain their intentions. Their rhyming couplet, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair, / Hover through the fog and filthy air” hints that they are evil.
Theme - Reality and Appearances:
The Witches introduce the idea that nothing is as it seems: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”. This theme is central to the play.
Writer’s Technique - Language
The Witches speak in paradoxes - “When the battle’s lost and won”. At first they don’t make sense, but their predictions become clearer as the play goes on.
Act 1 Scene 2 (King Duncan hears reports of the battle)
1) The Scottish army, led by Macbeth and Banquo, are fighting rebel armies from Norway and Ireland.
2) Shakespeare contrasts the eerie opening scene with the brutality and “bloody execution” of the battlefield. This sets a violent mood for the rest of the play.
3) The Captain and Duncan describe Macbeth as “brave” and “valiant”. At this point he’s a hero who’s loyal to his king and country.
Character - Macbeth:
At the start of the play Macbeth is celebrated fro his bloodthirsty nature - he cut the traitor MacDonald “from the nave to the chops”. It’s ironic that this violence eventually leads to his downfall.
Theme - Reality and Appearances
The Witches have just told the audience that “Fair is foul” - this suggests that the “Worthy” Macbeth might not be as good as the other characters believe. The audience hasn’t met Macbeth yet, so their view of him is based on what the other characters say.
Macbeth cuts off the traitor’s head - this foreshadows his own death at the end.
Act 1 Scene 3 (The Witches make three predictions)
1) The Witches are accompanied by thunder again - this recurring motif hints at chaos, danger and the overturning of the natural order.
2) Macbeth’s first line in this scene, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”, immediately links him to the Witches and their “Foul is fair prophecy.
Writer’s Techniques - Metaphor:
The Witches talk about sending a storm out on a sailor’s ship so that he can’t sleep. The sailor is a metaphor for what will happen to Macbeth, who’s made sleepless by guilt, and the ship is a metaphor for Scotland, which is almost destroyed during Macbeth’s violent reign.
Witches Predictions Analysed
1) The Witches predict that Macbeth will be made Thane of Cawdor, then King, and that Banquo’s descendants will also become kings. Banquo and Macbeth react differently to the news:
- Banquo is suspicious and questions his own sanity - he asks, “have we eaten on the insane root”.
- He warns that the Witches “Win us with honest trifles - to betray’s”. He accepts that the Witches are telling the truth, but he’s also aware that they’re manipulating Macbeth and himself.
- Banquo’s less easily deceived than Macbeth. He calls the Witches “instruments of darkness” because he sees they’re evil, whereas Macbeth is less certain - he says they “Cannot be ill, cannot be good”.
- The encounter with the Witches leaves Macbeth “rapt withal”. He’s spellbound by the predictions but he’s also scared by the powerful ambition that the Witches have awakened in him.
2) The Witches tell Banquo he will be “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater”. This is a reference to Banquo’s sons being kings, but it could also mean that Banquo is greater because he isn’t driven by greed and ambition.
3) Macbeth can’t stop thinking about the prophecies - this shows his lust for power. He immediately thinks about killing Duncan, but he’s also reluctant. At this point Macbeth isn’t an evil character - he’s wrestling with his conscience and torn between his ambition and his loyalty.
4) When Macbeth finds out he’s been made Thane of Cawdor, it shows that the first prediction has come true. This convinces him that the prediction about him becoming King will come true too, which strengthens his ambition.
Character - The Witches
The Witches tell Banquo he will be “Not so happy, yet much happier”. This hints that although Macbeth will get what he wants, it won’t make him happy. The Witches use paradoxes and riddles to confuse Macbeth and Banquo and lead them astray.
Act 1 Scene 4 (Macbeth is made Thane of Cawdor)
1) Duncan gives Macbeth the title of Thane of Cawdor as a reward for his loyalty.
2) Duncan uses an extended metaphor of plants, e.g “plant thee” and “make thee full of growing”, to show that he see it as his duty to nurture people who are loyal to him. Duncan sees Macbeth as a potential successor, suggesting that fate might make Macbeth King without him doing anything.
3) Macbeth seems confused in this scene. Outwardly he’s brave and loyal warlord, but inwardly his ambition is battling with his conscience. He wants to keep his “black and deep desires hidden, not just from other people but from himself.
Theme - Reality and Appearance:
Duncan says he misjudged the old Thane of Cawdor because there’s no way to “find the mind’s construction in the face” - he thinks that people who seem good and loyal may not be. It’s ironic - he also misjudges Macbeth.
Theme - Kingship:
Duncan is represented as a strong and fair leader - he rewards loyalty and wants Scotland to prosper. This contrasts with Macbeth’s violent, tyrannical rule.
Writer’s Techniques - Symbolism:
Duncan says, “signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine / On all deserves.” He thinks that fate will reward those who deserve it. Light is also linked to visibility, which contrasts with Macbeth’s desire to hide his intentions.
Turning point in the action - The Witches’ first prediction comes true.
Act 1 Scene 5 (Lady Macbeth decides Duncan must die)
1) The scene opens with Lady Macbeth alone, reading a letter from Macbeth about the Witches’ prophecies - this allows the audience to hear her inner thoughts and see what she’s really like.
2) She has no doubts about killing Duncan immediately sees that she’ll have to force Macbeth to do it because he’s “too full o’th’ milk of human kindness:.
3) Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy uses evil imagery such as “smoke of hell” and direst cruelty”, which shows the evil on her mind.
4) Her speech links her to the Witches - she uses imperatives, which make it sound like she’s casting a spell. She says “Come, you spirits” and “Come, thick night”, which links her to evil, unnatural spirits.
5) Macbeth enters and their dialogue in lines 56-58 is in half-line breaks. This makes their speech sound urgent and hurried - they’re both nervous and need to act quickly in case they’re interrupted.
Writer’s Techniques - Symbolism:
Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to “unsex me here” - she doesn’t want to be a woman because she see woman as weak and incapable of murder.
Act 1 Scene 6 (Duncan and the lords arrive at Macbeth’s castle)
1) Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle and is grateful for his hospitality and everything Macbeth’s done for him.
2) Lady Macbeth appears to be the perfect hostess - she flatters Duncan and thanks him for the “honours deep and broad” he has given them. Shakespeare contrasts this scene with the previous one to show how false Lady Macbeth is.
Writer’s Technique - Irony:
Duncan describes Macbeth’s castle as “pleasant” and says that it “sweetly recommends itself”. It’s ironic that Duncan feels happy and welcome at Macbeth’s castle - the audience knows what Macbeth’s got planned.
Writer’s Technique - Irony:
Duncan describes Macbeth’s love for Lady Macbeth as “sharp as his spur”. This is ironic - it wasn’t love that made Macbeth rush home but his desire to plot Duncan’s murder with Lady Macbeth. It’s also ironic because Lady Macbeth is the spur (encouragement) that drives Macbeth into action.
Act 1 Scene 7 (The Macbeths agree to kill Duncan)
1) Scene 7 opens with Macbeth’s soliloquy - he’s trying to decide whether to kill Duncan and gives a list of reasons why he shouldn’t:
- He knows that murder can “return / To plague the’inventor”, so if he kills Duncan he’s likely to end up being killed himself.
- As Duncan’s “kinsman” and “host” he has a duty to protect him.
- Duncan is a good king - he’s “clear in his great office”, so killing him will lead to “deep damnation”.
- Macbeth knows his own ambition will be his downfall.
2) Lady Macbeth is forceful - she bullies and persuades Macbeth through with the murder by questioning his masculinity. She says that killing Duncan Macbeth will be “so much more the man”. This has a double meaning - he’ll be more of a man, and he’ll be King.
3) She rejects her femininity by telling Macbeth that she’d kill her own child. She’s trying to prove how remorseless and evil she is.
Writer’s Technique - Suspense:
Act One ends with anticipation - the murder has been planned but hasn’t happened. This builds suspense for the audience.
Writer’s Technique - Imagery:
Lady Macbeth uses language connected with alchemy (the process of turning cheap metal into gold): “A limbeck” and “receipt” are the apparatus used and “fume” refers to the gases produced. Alchemists never succeeded in turning cheap metal into real gold - Shakespeare is hinting that Macbeth will never become a good king.
Act 2 Scene 1 (The famous ‘dagger’ bit)
1) Banquo and his son, Fleance, go for a walk at night. Fleance is reminder to the audience about the Witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s sons will be kings.
2) There aren’t any stars: “Their candles are all out”, so it’s very dark. The darkness symbolises the evil that Macbeth is about to do. The starless sky also echoes Duncan’s speech in Act 1, Scene 4 about stars shining on the deserving - Macbeth is undeserving.
3) Macbeth promises that if Banquo supports him, he’ll “honour” him, but Banquo replies that he’ll only help Macbeth if he can keep “allegiance clear”. This shows that he’s loyal to Duncan.
Character - Banquo:
Banquo’s response shows that he’s more moral than Macbeth, but his “cursed thoughts” and mention of the Witches may hint that he’s thinking about acting on the prophecies.
Theme - The Supernatural:
In his soliloquy Macbeth talks about “witchcraft”, “Hecate’s offerings” and “ a ghost”. This links Macbeth to the Witches and shows how he’s affected by their predictions. He starts seeing visions of a dagger - it’s not clear if it’s leading him to commit murder or warning him against it.
Act 2 Scene 2 (The deed is done)
1) Lady Macbeth waits for Macbeth to return from killing Duncan. She’s startled by every noise, and she says couldn’t kill Duncan because he reminded her of her father. This suggests that Lady Macbeth isn’t as merciless as she appears.
2) The murder takes place offstage - this increases the suspense and makes the audience imagine the killing, which makes it more horrific. It also lets the audience see how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are affected by their experience in Duncan’s room.
3) There’s a lot of foreshadowing in this scene:
- Macbeths doubts “Nepune’s ocean” will clean the blood off his hands - he’s feeling guilty. Lady Macbeth doesn’t seem bothered by her bloody hands - it’s ironic foreshadowing of her frenzied hand washing in Act 5.
- Macbeth says he’s “murdered sleep” - sleep symbolises peace and a clear conscience, so murdering sleep shows that he’s wracked with guilt. This also foreshadows Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking in Act 5.
- There are also references to insanity - Lady Macbeth talks about Macbeth going “mad” and being “brain-sickly” - it’s an ironic foreshadowing of her own madness later.
4) The stage directions add to the tension - there’s a repetition of a knocking sound, which gives a sense of urgency. This seems to echo Macbeth’s pounding heart, and is a sign of his fear and guilt.
Turning point in the action - Macbeth commits his first murder.
Act 2 Scene 3 (Duncan’s body is discovered)
1) The Porter’s comic monologue relieves the tension, but also suspense before Duncan’s body is found.
2) Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to increase the audience’s anticipation - the audience knows that Duncan has been murdered and although the characters don’t know, they can sense evil:
- The Porter describes the Macbeths’ castle gate as a “hell-gate” and makes a joke about a man sent to hell who “committed treason”.
- Lennox comments on how “unruly” and stormy the night was - he tells Macbeth that the wind sounded like “strange screams of death”.
- He also says the storm was “prophesying with accents terrible / Of dire combustion and confused events”. This reflects the terrible events that have taken place and foreshadows the events to come.
3) Macduff finds Duncan’s body - his reaction shows how horrified he is, and makes the murder seem even worse.
4) Macbeths confesses to killing Duncan’s servants out of rage. When Lady Macbeth hears this she faints. Thins could be to distract the other characters from Macbeth’s suspicious behaviour, or she may actually horrified by Macbeth’s violence, which she didn’t help plan.
5) Malcom and Donaldbain run away because they fear for their lives. It makes them look guilty and allows Macbeth to take the throne.
Writer’s Technique - Language:
- Before Duncan’s body is found, Macbeth speaks in short sentences - “Twas a rough night”, “Not yet” - he seems distracted and tense. This highlights his guilt and nervousness.
- When Duncan’s body is discovered, Macbeth’s language changes - he describes “silver skin laced with his golden blood”. His poetic language seems false.
Act 2 Scene 4 (Macbeth is about to be made king)
1) This scene is a bridge between Act 2 and Act 3. Its purpose is to create a sense of fear and uncertainty.
2) Strange events have happened since Duncan’s death, which show how the natural order has been disrupted. A country’s well-being is linked to that of its king, so events are bad omens for Macbeth’s reign.
- Its dark during the day: “dark night strangles the travelling lamp”. This symbolises the evil that has come over Scotland.
- A falcon has been savagely killed by an owl - the falcon symbolises Duncan, and the owl symbolises Macbeth.
- Horses have been eating each other, which is unnatural.
3) The scene ends with Macduff telling Ross that Macbeth will be King. Macduff isn’t going to the coronation - this suggests he’s suspicious of Macbeth and sets him up as Macbeth’s main enemy.
Act 3 Scene 1 (Macbeth plots Banquo’s murder)
1) The scene opens with Banquo’s soliloquy.
His inner thoughts reveal several things:
He’s suspicious of Macbeth, who he thinks “play’dst most foully” for the crown.
He’s still thinking about the Witches’ prediction that his descendants will be kings. He’s ambitious, but unlike Macbeth, he’s willing to let fate take its course.
2) Macbeth’s soliloquy shows that his attitude to murder has changed. In Act 1 he was tormented by killing Duncan and almost couldn’t do it, but he’s decisive about killing Banquo - murder has become easy.
3) Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo. This shows how much his character has changed - in Act 1, Scene 1 he was a fearless hero, but now he can’t meet his enemy’s face-to-face. He’s become a coward.
4) Macbeth has become more like Lady Macbeth. He persuades the murderers to do what he wants by questioning their masculinity and telling lies to convince them that Banquo is their enemy.
Theme - Fate and Free Will:
Macbeth thinks he can change fate and prevent Banquo’s descendants from becoming kings by killing Banquo and Fleance.
Act 3 Scene 2 (The Macbeths are feeling insecure)
1) Lady Macbeth and Macbeth both feel insecure about Macbeth’s position as king.
2) Shakespeare uses oxymorons in this scene, e.g. “doubtful joy” and “restless ecstasy”, to show their mixed emotions. They’ve got what they wanted but they also feel guilty and uneasy.
3) This scene shows a change in the Macbeths’ relationship. Macbeth hints that he plans to kill Banquo, but he refuses to confide in Lady Macbeth. This could be because he wants to protect Lady Macbeth from more guilt, or because he’s driven by his own ambition that her opinion doesn’t matter.
4) Macbeth uses a lot animal imagery in this scene, e.g. “full of scorpions is my mind” and “the bat has flown”. This sets an unsettling tone - these animals remind the audience of evil and emphasizes Macbeth’s feeling if insecurity and paranoia.
Character - The Macbeths:
There’s evidence that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have switched roles - before she told him to “look like / th’ innocent flower” - now he tells her to flatter Banquo and says they must make their “faces vizards to our hearts”.
Writer’s Technique - Foreshadowing:
Macbeth envies Duncan because he isn’t troubled by “Malice domestic, foreign levy” (civil war or foreign armies). This foreshadows Macduff’s uprising and the English attack at the end of the play.
Act 3 Scene 3 (Banquo is murdered)
1) A third murderer joins the other murderers as they prepare to kill Banquo. Macbeth has sent another murderer because he’s paranoid and doesn’t trust anyone. Some directors empathise this by making Macbeth the third murderer.
2) The sun is setting and darkness is coming - this symbolises the terror of Macbeth’s reign. Banquo approaches carrying a torch - the light symbolises Banquo’s goodness. When he’s murdered the light goes out - his goodness has been destroyed.
3) Fleance escapes - the Witches’ prediction about Banquo’s sons becoming kings could still come true. This shows that it’s impossible to cheat fate, which suggests Macbeth would have become King even if he hadn’t forced it to happen.
Act 3 Scene 4 (Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost)
1) The Macbeths hold a feast. Macbeth’s in a good mood because he thinks that Banquo and Fleance are being dealt with. He’s happy to “play the humble host” - the word “play” suggests he hospitality is fake.
2) One of the murderers tells Macbeth that he’s killed Banquo but Fleance has escaped. Macbeth replies that he’s “cabined, cribbed, confined”. The alliteration empathises how trapped he feels. With Fleance still alive Macbeth knows that his future as King is uncertain.
3) Banquo’s ghost appears after Macbeth receives the news about Banquo’s death and Fleance escape - it’s a symptom of his guilt and anxiety. The ghost is an important dramatic device:
Only Macbeth can see the ghost, so the audience is unsure whether it’s real or trick of Macbeth’s guilty conscience.
The ghost appears when Macbeth says Banquo’s name- this suggests that it is a guilt-inspired hallucination.
It echoes the ghostly dagger that Macbeth saw before Duncan’s murder.
The ghost sits on Macbeth’s throne - this is a visual and dramatic reminder to the audience of the Witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s descendants will be kings.
4) Macbeth’s behaviour is so strange that Lady Macbeth has to pretend he’s unwell. She takes control again, and echoes Act 1 Scene 7 when she asks him, “Are you a man?” She thinks his fear isn’t manly.
5) Macbeth says, “It will have blood they say - blood will have blood.” His repetition of the work “blood” shows his fear - he’s starting to see his inevitability of his downfall.
Theme - The Supernatural:
In the previous scene Macbeth envied Duncan because he was at peace, but the ghost of Banquo suggests to Macbeth that even in death he won’t be able to rest.
Character - Macbeth:
Macbeth says he’s killed so many people that “Returning were as tedious as go o’er”. He’s despairing here - he doesn’t want to keep killing, but he thinks it’s the only way to secure the throne.
Act 3 Scene 5 (The Witches meet with Hecate)
1) The Goddess of Witches, Hecate is annoyed that the three Witches have been meddling in Macbeth’s business without involving her.
2) The Witches plan to summon apparitions to trick Macbeth into being overconfident: “security / Is mortals’ chiefest enemy.” By making him bold they’re making sure he’ll continue his reign of terror - plunging natural order into chaos.
Writer’s Technique - Mood and Atmosphere:
This is a dark scene which creates an atmosphere of fear and evil.
Theme - Fate and Free Will:
Hecate says that Macbeth “shall spurn fate” - he thinks that he can change the course of destiny and stop Banquo’s descendants from being King.
Act 3 Scene 6 (Lennox plans uprising)
1) This is another is another bridge scene, between Act 3 and Act 4. The minor characters tell the audience everything that’s happened - Macduff has raised and army against Macbeth, while Malcom is at the English court.
2) Lennox suspects that Macbeth’s responsible for Duncan and Banquo’s murders. He’s careful not to speak his mind about Macbeth because he knows Macduff “lives in disgrace” for not being loyal to the King. However, Lennox’s true feelings are revealed by his speech:
The tone of his monologue is sarcastic, e.g. he says Duncan murder “did grieve Macbeth!” - he means the exact opposite.
He uses rhetorical questions: “To kill their gracious father?” - he doesn’t believe that Malcolm and Donalbain murdered Duncan.
His speech is full of exclamations such as “But, peace!” and “Damned fact!” This shows how angry he is, but also hints that he’s afraid to show his anger - his short, broken sentences suggest he’s trying to hold back emotions.
3) Lennox ends the scene by sending a message to the English court to free them from the “hand accursed” - this builds the tension because it becomes a question of how far Macbeth will go before he’s stopped. The audience see that Macbeth’s death is inevitable, and the only way to restore peace to Scotland.
Historical Context:
In Shakespeare’s time, people thought that the King was appointed by God, so when the Lord calls King Edward “holy”, this shows he’s the rightful King of England. The Lord says that Malcolm will have help from “Him above” = they believe he’s the rightful King of Scotland, so God will help him overcome Macbeth.
Writer’s Techniques:
Shakespeare wrote this scene from the perspective of the minor characters to develop the feeling of unrest in Scotland.
Act 4 Scene 1 (The Witches make more predictions)
1) The scene opens with the Witches casting a spell - “Double, double toil and trouble”. This reminds the audience of the evil intentions, and the word “double” hints at double meanings.
2) The gruesome list of body parts that the Witches throw into the cauldron sets a dark, frightening tone.
3) They announce Macbeth’s arrival by saying, “Something wicked this way comes” - this shows how much he’s changed from the brave hero of Act One.
4) The Witches pretend to obey him: “Speak. / Demand. / We’ll answer. They trick him into asking for the apparitions by saying that he can talk to their “masters” - the Witches know Macbeth’s biggest weakness is his ambition, so they play on his lust for power.
Writer’s Techniques:
Macbeth says, “through the yeasty waves / Confound and swallow navigation up”, which extends the metaphor that Macbeth is a sailor and Scotland is a ship.
Act 4 Scene 1 Part 2 (Summons apparitions to predict the future)
1) Macbeth’s language is confident at the start of the scene. He uses commands such as “Tell me” and “Call ‘em” to control the Witches and threatens them with “an eternal curse” - he’s not afraid of them.
2) The Witches summon three apparitions to predict the future - they symbolise the threats to Macbeth:
An armoured head warns Macbeth about Macduff - the armoured head could foreshadow Macbeth’s decapitation. It could also symbolise treachery and the violence of battle.
A bloody child tells Macbeth that no one born from woman can harm him - this could represent Macduff, born by Caesarean section.
A child wearing a crown and carrying a branch tells Macbeth that he can’t be beaten until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill - this could represent Malcolm, the rightful heir. The branch could represent Birnam Wood, but also the hope that Scotland might grow and flourish under Malcolm’s rule.
3) Macbeth takes the Witches’ predictions at face value, even though he knows that people who trust the Witches are “damned”. He’s desperate for them to give him good news to make him feel secure.
Turning point in the action:
Macbeth starts to believe that he’s invincible.
Act 4 Scene 1 Part 3 (Macbeth’s full of confidence)
1) The apparitions give Macbeth confidence. He thinks that he’ll never be defeated because it’s impossible for Birnam Wood to move and that he’s invincible because every man is born from a woman.
2) He wants to know if the Witches’ prophecy about Banquo is true, so they show him another vision - a line of Banquo’s descendants. Macbeth is angry: “Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs.”
3) Macbeth wants to kill Macduff’s family - this shows how evil and paranoid he’s become. He’s willing to kill anyone associated with his enemy even if they don’t pose a threat.
4) He doesn’t discuss the murders with Lady Macbeth any more - he’s driven solely by his own ambition and trusts no one.
Theme - Reality and Appearances:
Although the Witches haven’t lied, they’ve deliberately misled Macbeth. It’s another example of their deception.
Historical Context:
Some of Banquo’s descendants carry orbs and sceptres to show that they will be rulers of England as well as Scotland. Macbeth was written during the reign of King James, who ruled over Scotland and England.
Act 4 Scene 2 (Macbeth has Lady Macduff and her son murdered)
1) Lady Macduff is angry and scared because her husband has run off and left her to protect their castle and children.
2) Her fear shows how afraid people are under Macbeth’s rule. Her comment, “to do harm / Is often laudable”, shows how the morals of Scotland have been turned upside down by Macbeth’s tyranny.
3) Lady Macduff talks with her son - their witty dialogue shows their maternal bond. The caring character of Lady Macduff contrasts with Lady Macbeth, who would have “dashed the brains out” of her own child.
4) The murderer enters and stabs Lady Macduff’s son - it’s made even more brutal by the murderer calling him “egg” and “fry”, which highlights how young he is and shows that Macbeth is willing to kill defenceless children. It also shows that he’s too cowardly to commit the murders himself.
5) The murder of Lady Macduff’s son happens on stage - this symbolises the fact that Macbeth no longer cares if people see his terrible crimes.
Writer’s Techniques - Language:
Shakespeare starts this scene mid-dialogue. This highlights the confusion that Lady Macduff feels about her husband leaving.
Writer’s Techniques - Symbolism:
Lady Macduff compares herself to a wren, a tiny powerless bird, protecting her nest from an owl (Macbeth). This reminds the audience of the imagery of the owl killing the falcon in Act 2, Scene 4 and shows that Macbeth is now killing defenceless ‘prey’.
Act 4 Scene 3 ( Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty)
1) Macduff goes to England to convince Malcolm to raise an army against Macbeth. Malcolm doesn’t trust Macduff - this shows the fear and suspicion Macbeth’s created.
2) Malcolm 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.
3) Malcolm test Macduff’s loyalty by pretending to be more evil than Macbeth. Macduff passes Malcolm’s test by proving that he’s loyal to Scotland and won’t support another tyrant.
4) Shakespeare contrasts the kind, unselfish kingship of Edward with the cruel, selfish tyranny of Macbeth.
Theme - Loyalty:
Macduff shows his loyalty to Scotland by going to England to support Malcolm even though his family is in danger.
Theme - Kingship:
Malcolm has learnt from Duncan’s mistakes - he doesn’t blindly trust the thanes. This caution suggests that he’ll be a better king than Duncan.
Malcolm tells Macduff that he’s honest, grateful and god-fearing - good qualities for a king. Malcolm’s loyalty to his country contrasts with Macbeth’s tyranny and betrayal.
Theme - Supernatural:
Edward has “a heavenly gift of prophecy” and can cure the sick with his touch. Since rightful kings were thought to have been appointed by God, people thought that Edward has divine gifts - the opposite of the Witches’ evil, supernatural powers.
Act 4 Scene 3 Part 2 (Macduff discovers that his family has been murdered)
1) Rosse arrives and tells Macduff that his family have been killed - his reluctance to break the news created drama.
2) Macduff’s grief is clear from the way he speaks: “All my pretty ones? / Did you say all? O hell-kite! All? / What, all my pretty chickens” His short sentences, rhetorical questions and repetition of the word “all” shows that he can’t believe what Rosse has told him.
3) The murder of Macduff’s family is important to the plot - it motivates Macduff to get revenge on Macbeth and end his cruel reign.
Writer’s Techniques - Symbolism:
Like the Macbeths, Malcolm thinks masculinity means being aggressive - he tells Macduff to “Dispute it like a man”. Macduff contrasts this by saying he should “feel it as a man” - he believes that men are also sensitive. In this way, Macduff teaches Malcolm how to be a good man and king.
