1. Macbeth Learning Objective Read and understand Act 4 Scene 2 and 3
Finalise understanding of Act 4

2. Starter WHO ARE THEY? What do you know about: Macduff Lady Macduff
Ross
Malcolm

3. Read
Act 4 Scene 2

4. Slaughter of the Innocents
Macbeth sinks to an all-time low here by slaughtering Macduff’s whole family. Look at this picture depicting the biblical Slaughter of the Innocents
and then look at Lady Macduff’s lines 70-4.
Why are Macbeth’s murdering intentions so disturbing at this part of the play?
Use the style and tone of the headline of a tabloid newspaper to report these events.

6. Before Act 4 Scene 3 Match the lines to the translation
Macbeth is a traitor
Macduff was a friend of Macbeth
Even a good man may obey a wicked king
Macbeth was once thought to be honest
Macduff has abruptly left his family behind in danger
Macduff may betray Malcolm to Macbeth
Macduff may kill Malcolm and Macbeth
He is not sure that Macduff is telling the truth
Malcolm is suspicious for his own safety
Macbeth has left Macduff unharmed
Evil often tries to look like good

7. Before Act 4 Scene 3 Match the lines to the translation
He is not sure that Macduff is telling the truth (line 11)
Macbeth was once thought to be honest (lines 12 – 13)
Macduff was a friend of Macbeth (line 13)
Macbeth has left Macduff unharmed (line 14)
Macduff may betray Malcom to Macbeth (lines 14 – 15)
Macduff may kill Malcolm and Macbeth (lines 16 – 17)
Macbeth is a traitor (line 18)
Even a good man may obey a wicked king (lines 19 – 20)
Evil often tries to look like good (lines 21-3)
Macduff has abruptly left his family behind in danger (Lines 26 – 8)
Malcolm is suspicious for his own safety (lines 29 – 30)

8. Read Act 4 Scene 3 Language Using lines 30 – 57 identify:
personification (of Scotland)
symbolic language (black, white)
religious imagery (hell, devil)
In groups consider how these relate to the ongoing themes of evil, ambition, deception and power.
Be prepared to feed back to the class.

9. Plenary
Macduff laments in Act 4 Scene 3 that Macbeth ‘has no children’. Yet Lady Macbeth claims to have breast fed a baby. Does it matter, in the play whether Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have children or not?
Extension – how would you explain the significance of children, childlessness and violence against children as recurring ideas in this play?

10. Homework
Must: Homework worksheet on dramatic events of Act 4 in a tweet.
Should: Develop each tweet to a text. Could: Develop each text to a haiku.