MACBETH Summary Act 4
Act 4, Scene 1 Summary,
Characters: Witches, Macbeth, Hecate, Lenox
Location: A dark cave
Time:
Events: witches are making a potion to prepare for meeting macbeth, Macbeth demands the witches to answer his questions, the witches summon their masters who are apparitions, first one is an armed head: warns macbeth about Macduff, second one is a bloody child: says no one born of a woman will harm him, Macbeth vows to kill Macduff, third apparition is a child with a crown and a tree in his hand: says he will not be defeated until Birnam wood comes to Dunsiane, the witches show Banquo’s descendants being kings, Lenox arrives to report Macduff has left to England, Macbeth decides to Kill Macduff’s family in his castle.
Quote: ‘Though castles topple on their warders’ heads; Though palaces and pyramids do slope Their heads to their foundations; though the treasure Of nature’s germens tumble all together, Even till destruction sicken, answer me To what I ask you.’ -Macbeth
Act 4, Scene 2 Summary,
Characters: Lady Macduff, Son, Messenger, Murderer, Rosse
Location: Macduff’s Castle
Time: Unknown
Events: Lady Macduff speaks to Rosse about Macduff leaving to England, he showed little concern for his family, Rosse leaves, Lady Macduff’s son questions the story of his father’s death, a messenger warns Lady Macduff of danger, Murderers come in and then THEY SAY THE QUOTE I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR and then chase lady Macduff.
Quote: ‘What, you egg! Young fry of treachery!’ ‘He has killed me, mother:’ -Murderer and Son
‘Her young ones in her nest, against the owl. All is fear and nothing is love;’-Lady Macduff
Act 4, Scene 3 Summary,
Characters: Malcolm, Macduff, Rosse, English Doctor
Location: A room in the English King’s Palace
Time: unknown
Events: Macduff visits Malcolm, Malcolm fears Macduff will betray him, Macduff gets upset to be suspected, Macduff pretends to be worse than Macbeth to test Macduff’s loyalty, says he will take all the money, Macduff finally believes that Malcolm is very evil, Malcolm believes this is all he needs to know that Malcolm is trustworthy, He says he was lying to test him, doctor enters, Malcolm explains King Edward heals people by just touching them, Rosse comes in to tell news from Scotland, Rosse tells them that Macduff’s family is perfectly fine and that many are preparing to rebel against Macbeth, Malcolm confirms that he will invade Scotland with the english army, Rosse then tells them of how his family died, Malcolm comforts Macduff and says to use his grief as a weapon, They leave to invade Scotland.
Quote: ‘Good God betimes remove The means that makes us strangers!’ -Malcolm