Macbeth 4/5 Flashcards
(22 cards)
Act 4 Scene 1 summary
The Witches are huddled around their cauldron, creating a spell filled with nasty things to use on Macbeth. Macbeth appears and demands information about his future. Three (and another) apparitions appear and give Macbeth their prophecies before them, and the witches leave. Lennox arrives and informs Macbeth that Macduff has joined forces with Malcolm and fled to England. Macbeth decides that he is done pondering on his actions and decides to only act once he has an idea, and he plans on attacking Macduff’s castle.
Act 4 scene 2 summary
Lady Macduff questions Ross as to why Macduff has left. She feels betrayed. Ross insists to trust him. They are then murdered.
Act 4 scene 3 summary
Malcolm and Macduff speak and Malcolm decides he doesn’t trust Macduff, and decides to test him, saying horrible things about himself and getting Macduff to say that he would be a bad king. He passed the test and Malcolm trusted him. Ross comes in and tries to hide the fact that his family was just murdered, but cannot, and tells him.
Act 5 scene 1 summary
Lady Macbeth was seen sleeping walking and talking by her servant, who called a doctor to see whats up. The two observe Lady Macbeth at night as she, in a sleep walking state, reveals her and Macbeth’s murders and her own guilt about it. Both the doctor and gentlewoman are shocked to hear this, but do not reveal her secret. The doctor decides that there is nothing he can do to help because he cannot heal mental sickness, and states that she must be kept away from anything that could be used to harm herself and must be watched carefully.
Act 5 scene 2 summary
A Scottish army has met up with the English at the Birnam Wood forest The English are led by Malcolm and Siward. Angus expresses his view that those who still fight for and with Macbeth do it not because of love or loyalty, but out of fear and obligation.
Act 5 scene 3 summary
Reports that nobleman are turning against him does not faze Macbeth. Because of the prophecies, Macbeth remains overconfident and thinks he cannot fail or be defeated. He receives a report that ten thousand soldiers are on their way from England. As he puts on his battle armour (which is not needed yet) he and the doctor discuss Lady Macbeth’s condition, the doctor saying that he cannot heal her and that she needs to confess her sins to get rid of her guilt, but Macbeth is more focused on the battle to come.
Act 5 scene 4 summary
On their way to Macbeth’s castle, Malcolm and the English forces stop at Birnam Wood. Malcolm orders the soldiers to cut the branches from the trees to use as camouflage during their march towards the castle. This way, Macbeth’s army wont be able to see what they are doing or how many of them their are. (PROPHECY!!)
Act 5 scene 5 summary
Macbeth feels secure behind his mighty castle (has more advantage here because the second his soldiers are with the English, they will betray him). He hears the cry of a woman and is informed that his wife is dead and has killed herself. This sparks in him thoughts about the meaningless of life (we are just actors who will play our part then leave, the world will keep spinning). New reports claim that Birnam Wood appears to be marching towards dunsinane?!?!
Act 5 scene 6 summary
Malcolm and his forces have arrived at Macbeth’s castle. He orders the soldiers to drop their branches and for Siward and young Siward to lead the attack as he and Macduff follow behind. They wish each other luck and part.
Act 5 scene 7 summary
A confident Macbeth abandons the security of his castle and challenges all the comers on the battlefield. He finds himself cornered with no means of escape. But he is still confident that the second prediction (baby) will protect him. Young Siward comes upon Macbeth and after a battle, is killed. Macduff appears, seeking Macbeth out. Siward announces that the castle has surrendered and the battle will soon be over (they will win!).
Act 5 scene 8 summary
Macduff and Macbeth fight. At first, Macduff does poorly against Macbeth who brags about his charmed life and about the prophecy. Macduff reveals that he was “untimely ripped” (c-section) from his mother’s womb. Macbeth is shocked at first, so shocked he refuses to fight, but also refuses to surrender, and engages in battle again. Macduff kills Macbeth. Malcolm and Siward arrive and they learn about Young Siward’s death. Macduff reappears carrying Macbeth’s head and Malcolm is hailed as king with promises to restore Scotland’s peace.
What are the three prophecies?
Soldiers head - fear Macduff
Bloody baby - No one born of a woman shall harm or defeat you
Young boy king holding a tree - He will not be defeated in battle until Birnam Wood begins to march towards his castle.
What is the fourth apparition?
After wanting to know more about Banquo’s prophecies, Macbeth sees 8 kings that look like Banquo , the last holding a mirror that shows generations and generations of Banquo’s ancestors as kings. Then Banquo appears as well.
quote - Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff Beware the Thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough.
Soldier head (First apparition)
Act 4 scene 1
Macbeth, be wary and fear Macduff, the Thane of Fife. Now dismiss me and let me vanish.
quote - Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn the po’r of man for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.
Bloody baby (Second apparition)
Act 4 scene 1
Be brave and confident knowing that no man born of a woman shall harm you, be ready to laugh in the poor man’s face who dares to battle you.
quote - That will never be. Who can impress the forest, bid the tree unfix his earth-bound root? Sweet bodements good!
Macbeth
Act 4 scene 1
That (the trees of the forest marching to his castle) cannot happen, who on earth could even make the trees do such a thing!
quote - My first false speaking was this upon myself. What I truly is thine and my poor country’s to command
Malcolm
Act 4 scene 3
Admitting that he was tricking/lying to Macduff to see if he could trust him, and admitting that he truly is honourable and virtuous and that what he said was all a lie.
quote - Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself within my swords length set him. If he scape Heaven forgive him too!
Macduff
Act 4 scene 3
I am going to kill Macbeth myself and I wont let him escape for revenge on the murder of my wife, child, and family.
quote - Out, damned spot: I say!
Lady Macbeth
Act 5 scene 1
She sees the blood on her hands from their murder in her dream and it will not wash off, signifying her guilt and paranoia.
quote - as i did stand my watch upon the hill i looked toward birnam ad anon methought the wood began to move
The Messenger
Act 5 scene 5
Reporting to Macbeth that while he was on watch, he looked out to the forest and it appeared to be moving (English soldiers and branches)
quote - Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripped.
Macduff
Act 5 scene 8
Revealing that he was born of a c-section, telling Macbeth that he can kill him.
quote - Behold where stands th’urpers cursed head
Macduff
Presenting Macbeth’s head, Malcolms new role, and the end of Scotland’s suffering.
