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'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 4, Scenes 1 to 3

I can explain what happens in Act 4, Scenes 1 to 3 of ‘Macbeth’ with a focus on the character of Macbeth and the setting, Scotland.

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Year 10
Eduqas

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 4, Scenes 1 to 3

I can explain what happens in Act 4, Scenes 1 to 3 of ‘Macbeth’ with a focus on the character of Macbeth and the setting, Scotland.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Scotland is unstable under Macbeth’s leadership
  2. In Act 4, Scene 1, the witches give Macbeth further prophecies
  3. Macduff is a loyal Scottish Thane whose family is killed by Macbeth
  4. Macbeth feels the witches’ prophecies make him invincible
  5. Malcolm and Macduff prepare to go to war with Macbeth in order to restore Scotland to strength and stability

Keywords

  • Precarious - If something is precarious, it is insecure or unstable.

  • Malevolent - If you are malevolent, you want to do harm to others.

  • Contrast - Contrast is a synonym for difference.

  • Stable - Something stable is secure or solid. It is the opposite of something precarious.

  • Invincible - If someone is invincible, they can’t be defeated or killed.

Common misconception

Malcolm is an immoral person.

Malcolm pretends he is filled with lust and greed, but this is to test Macduff's loyalty.

The opening of Act 4 is a spectacle with the witches around a cauldron and visions shown to Macbeth. Consider which production might most bring this scene alive for your students.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Macbeth', why is Macbeth's reign over Scotland unnatural?
He is Jacobean, not Scottish.
Correct answer: He committed regicide to get the throne.
Correct answer: The witches were involved in his ascension to the throne.
Lady Macbeth is monarch too, and it should just be Macbeth.
Correct answer: The rightful heir, Malcolm, is alive
Q2.
In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', why does Malcolm, King Duncan's eldest son, flee to England?
Banquo tells him to, suspecting Macbeth of regicide.
Macbeth forces him to.
He wants to rule England, not Scotland.
He wants to escape the responsibility of being King.
Correct answer: He is scared that the person who killed his father will also kill him.
Q3.
At the end of Act 3 of 'Macbeth', what does Macbeth decide to do?
Hire murderers to kill Fleance.
Ask the witches to kill Banquo's ghos.
Separate from Lady Macbeth.
Kill Banquo.
Correct answer: Ask the witches for more information about his reign.
Q4.
On the night King Duncan was killed in 'Macbeth', Lennox says the weather was terrible: "the earth Was feverous and did ."
Correct Answer: shake, shake.
Q5.
In Act 3, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', Lennox and a Lord talk about Macbeth. They describe him as a 'tyrant'. What is a tyrant?
A tyrant is someone who uses their power morally.
A tyrant is a monarch.
Correct answer: A tyrant is someone who uses their power in an unjust way.
A tyrant is someone who uses supernatural power to get what they want.
A tyrant is a character in a play who does evil things.
Q6.
In Act 3, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth complains that he has no legacy as Banquo's sons will become kings. He says the witches put a "Barren in my gripe."
Correct Answer: sceptre, Sceptre.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the scenes from Act 4 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points.
Correct Answer:Act 4, Scene 1,Macbeth seeks the witches; they give further prophecies.

Macbeth seeks the witches; they give further prophecies.

Correct Answer:Act 4, Scene 2,Lady Macduff and her son are killed by hired murderers.

Lady Macduff and her son are killed by hired murderers.

Correct Answer:Act 4, Scene 3,Malcolm and Macduff prepare an army to overthrow Macbeth.

Malcolm and Macduff prepare an army to overthrow Macbeth.

Q2.
How does Act 4, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth' show Macbeth's increasing desperation?
He asks Lady Macbeth to come to see the witches with him.
Correct answer: He doesn't mind if the witches have to destroy things to tell him his prophecies
Correct answer: He decides to kill Macduff's family - a woman and child.
Correct answer: He puts his trust in witches, not his subjects or wife.
He asks the witches to make Scotland stronger; he no longer feels he is able to.
Q3.
In Act 4, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', the witches give Macbeth three further prophecies. What do they say?
"Beware Malcolm."
Correct answer: "None of woman born Shall harm Macbeth."
"None of Scotland born Shall harm Macbeth."
Correct answer: "You can't be harmed 'until' Birnam wood come to Dunsinane."
"Leave Dunsinane for Birnam wood 'until' it's safe."
Q4.
In Act 4, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', Macduff hears of his wife and child's murder by Macbeth. Malcolm tells him "let grief Convert to ".
Correct Answer: anger, Anger, anger., 'anger', 'Anger'
Q5.
In Act 4, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', Macduff describes Scotland. He calls it "O nation ."
Correct Answer: miserable, Miserable, miserable., 'miserable', Miserable.
Q6.
In Act 4, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', Macduff describes Macbeth. He calls him a 'tyrant '.
Correct Answer: bloody-scepter'd, bloody sceptered, bloody-sceptered, boody scepter'd, 'bloody-scepter'd'