1. Act 4: Describe the most shocking ingredient in the witches’ potion. Why do you think Shakespeare included this scene?
2. Witch 2 says, “By the pricking of my thumb, Something wicked this way comes.” Who comes?
3. What is Macbeth’s attitude towards the witches this time?
4. What four things did the witches show Macbeth? What does each show/say? What is Macbeth’s reaction?
5. Macbeth says (about the witches), “Infected be the air whereon they ride, And damned all those that trust them!” What is Macbeth, in effect, saying about himself?
6. Describe the three predictions the witches give Macbeth.
7. What is the fourth vision the witches show Macbeth? What is his reaction to it?
8. Compare the prophecies given in Act I with those in the opening scene of Act IV. How are they different?
9. Where is Macduff?
10. Why does Lady Macduff’s son say liars and swearers are fools?
11. Why does Macbeth kill Macduff’s wife, children, and servants?
12. Who is called “young fry of treachery” in scene 2?
13. Malcolm says, “Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell. Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, Yet grace must still look so.” What does that mean?
14. Macduff says, “Oh, Scotland, Scotland!” Why?
15. What news does Ross bring to Macduff?
16. Macbeth’s decision to murder Macduff’s family differs from his decisions to commit the two earlier murders. In what way?
17. What change in Macbeth’s character does this difference reflect?
18. In the long scene that ends Act IV, Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty. Why does he distrust Macduff?
19. What do we learn about each man through this exchange?
20. Near the end of Scene iii, what new plans are revealed? Thinking over the witches’ prophecies, and all the other information you have at this point, how do you expect the action to be resolved in Act V?