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Macbeth Act 4 Study Guide
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Macbeth Act 4 Study GuideCompare the witches' speech pattern with Macbeth's. (Act 4:1) - Macbeth speaks in unrhymed iambic
pentameter (blank verse). The witches speak in irregular trochaic tetrameter (rhymed couplets).
What effect is Shakespeare creating by altering the speech patterns like this in Act 4:1? - Shakespeare is
establishing that the witches are other-worldly and are not to be trusted. The sing-song rhythm of their
speech makes them seem almost childlike and silly which emphasizes that they're going to seduce
Macbeth into a false sense of security.
Describe the three apparitions and the significance of each. (Act 4:1) - First Apparition:
Is a *head wearing a helmet* warning to *beware of Macduff*. The helmet indicates that Macduff poses
a military threat to Macbeth. And the fact that it is just a head, not a full warrior, might foreshadow
Macduff's beheading Macbeth.
Second Apparition:
Is a *bloody child* telling Macbeth to *be bold for no one born from a woman will harm him*. This
prediction is one of destiny stating that he will be harmed, just not by one born of woman.
Third Apparition:
Is a *child wearing a crown with a tree in his hand* telling that Macbeth will *not be defeated until
Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill*. The carrying of a tree foreshadows how a forest could be the
place where the crown is moved down to Malcolm or even Fleance.
What, after this, does Macbeth resolve? (Act 4:1) - Macbeth resolves that Macduff can not harm him
since he was obviously birthed by a woman. Macbeth decides to kill him anyways.
Pleased with the information, what one further thing does Macbeth desire to know and what is the
answer he gets? (Act 4:1) - Macbeth wants to know if Banquo's heirs will ever reign Scotland. Eight Kings
appear representing Banquo's heirs. The eighth King has a mirror that reflects a line of Kings. Macbeth
notes that some of the kings are carrying three scepters and two orbs. The two orbs indicate that
Banquo's descendants are kings of two countries (Scotland and England). The three scepters indicate
that they are kings of three countries (Scotland, England, and Ireland).
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