The Renaissance Period {1485-1660}
New Characters!
Lady Macduff:Macduff’s wife who is angry with her husband for leaving her
Macduff’s young son: comforts mother after father leaves, is killed by Macbeth’s hired murderers
Summary!
Act IV, scene i: As the three witches and Hecate concoct a brew and chant over their caldron, Macbeth enters and demands to know the future. The witches show him three apparitions.
The Three Apparitions:
1. an armed head: warns Macbeth to beware of Macduff
2. a bloody child: no one born of a woman shall harm thee
3. a crowned child holding a branch: Warned that Macbeth will not be conquered until Birnam Wood comes to DunsinaneThe final apparition shows a line of 8 kings, including Banquo, with the last figure holding a mirror signifying the continuation of Banquo’s bloodline (this is shown as a dumb scene: one that does not have words)Macbeth cannot figure out why he should beware of Macduff when no one born of a woman can hurt him. At the end of the scene, Lennox comes in to tell Macbeth that Macduff has gone to England. Enraged, Macbeth vows to kill Macduff’s wife and children.
Act IV, scene ii: Lady Macbeth is talking to Ross about how angry she is that her husband left her. She does not understand why he left and refers to him as a traitor for breaking their marriage vows. After Ross leaves, Macduff’s young son comes in to comfort his mother. They are interrupted by a messenger who tells them to flee for their lives. Lady Macduff claims she has done nothing wrong and wants to know why she should have to leave. The murders then come in and kill the Macduff’s son and go after Lady Macduff. She runs off stage screaming.
Act IV, scene iii: Macduff tries to get Malcolm to help him fight Macbeth, but Malcolm first tests Macduff’s loyalty to Scotland. Once Macduff proves his loyalty, Malcolm tells him he has an army that is ready to attack Macbeth’s forces. Ross then enters and tells Macduff that his wife and children are doing well. Unfortunately, Ross means they are doing well in death, but Macduff misinterprets Ross’s words and think they are fine. Ross then explains that Macduff’s wife, children, and servants have all been murdered. Macduff turns his shock and grief to anger and vows to meet Macbeth in battle.
