Macbeth Act IV Summary The Three Weird Sisters and Hecate come together in preparation for their “meeting” with Macbeth. One of the Witches chants: “By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes” as Macbeth enters. Macbeth appears much changed during his second meeting with the Witches; he is demanding, disrespectful, and entitled—just as Hecate said. The Three Weird Sisters share 3 prophesies with Macbeth: An armed head: “Beware Macduff” A bloody child: “None of woman born shall harm Macbeth” A child crowned with a tree: Macbeth cannot be defeated until Birnam Wood “moves” to Dunsinane. Although the first confirms Macbeth’s suspicions about Macduff, the other two make him feel secure and confident. (Remember Hecate’s plan for Macbeth!) Finally, Macbeth demands to know about “Banquo’s issue” reigning in Scotland. The Witches initially resist, but finally show a line of 8 kings. They all resemble Banquo and the last king holds a mirror, indicating that Banquo’s line will always reign.

Macbeth Act IV Summary Continued… The Witches disappear as Lennox arrives with news that Macduff has fled to England; this news enrages Macbeth. Macbeth decides that “the firstlings of his heart will be the firstlings of his hand” which means that he will act and not hesitate or consider consequences. Because he cannot get to Macduff, Macbeth plans on destroying his entire family. Act IV, Scene ii The scene opens with Ross informing Lady Macduff that Macduff has fled to England. She is understandably upset as she feels her husband has abandoned his family, but Ross gently defends Macduff’s motives for leaving. After Ross leaves, Lady Macduff and her son share a tender scene. Lady Macduff calls her husband a traitor and tells her son his father is dead, but the son is perceptive enough to realize that his mother is just hurt. The son believes that there are more dishonest men in Scotland than honest men. A messenger arrives to warn Lady Macduff about the murderers approaching the castle. She doesn’t understand why they would come for her family as they have done nothing wrong. The scene ends with the son’s murder.

Macbeth Act IV, Scene iii Scene iii opens with Malcolm and Macduff discussing the state of Scotland. Malcolm questions Macduff leaving his family if things are truly as terrible as he claims. Ironically, he questions why Macduff would turn on Macbeth since Macbeth has not harmed him or his family… Malcolm tests Macduff and claims that he will be a greedy, violent, lustful, and cruel king. At the end of Malcolm’s speech, Macduff bemoans the state of his beloved country and cries, “O Scotland, Scotland!” Malcolm, seeing that Macduff’s sincere love of country, admits that his confession was a test. He now trusts Macduff. Ross arrives and after initially telling Macduff that his family is fine, finally admits that they have all been murdered by Macbeth’s henchmen. Malcolm urges Macduff to seek revenge like a man, but Macduff answers that he will do so, but he must also “feel it as a man” Act IV closes with the men agreeing to return to Scotland with an army of 10,000 to take back the throne.