Act 4 and 5: Macbeth Reading Comprehension Questions

Name ___________________________ Per ______ Date _____________ Act 4 1. What are the witches doing at the beginning of this act? At the beginning of Act 4, the witches are conjuring spells and performing rituals in a dark and desolate place 2. What three things does Macbeth learn from the witches and apparitions and how does he react to them? - The first apparition warns him to beware Macduff - The second apparition tells him that no one born of a woman can harm him - The third apparition informs him that he will not be defeated until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. Macbeth reacts with a mix of relief and arrogance. He feels reassured by the prophecies, believing that they guarantee his safety and invincibility 3. How does Macbeth react to Macduff's departure? Macbeth reacts to Macduff's departure with anger and frustration. He feels betrayed by Macduff's refusal to attend his coronation and suspects that Macduff is plotting against him 4. How does Macduff react to the news that his family has been slaughtered? Macduff reacts to the news that his family has been slaughtered with overwhelming grief and rage. He is devastated by the loss of his loved ones and vows to seek revenge against Macbeth for their murders 5. What action is taken by Macduff and Malcolm? Macduff and Malcolm join forces to overthrow Macbeth. They plan to gather an army and march against him to reclaim Scotland from his tyrannical rule Act 5 1. What significance does the doctor have? The doctor serves as a witness to Lady Macbeth's troubled mental state. He observes her sleepwalking and hears her confessing to crimes she and Macbeth have committed, providing insight into the psychological effects of guilt and paranoia 2. Why won't the doctor or the gentlewoman tell anyone what they have seen or heard? The doctor and the gentlewoman refuse to disclose what they have seen or heard because they understand the delicate nature of Lady Macbeth's condition and the potential consequences of revealing her secrets. They recognize the importance of patient confidentiality and do not wish to betray Lady Macbeth's trust Name ___________________________ 3. Per ______ Date _____________ What is Macbeth's current psychological condition? Macbeth's current psychological condition is deteriorating rapidly. He is consumed by guilt, paranoia, and despair, haunted by visions of those he has murdered and tormented by the fear of losing his power 4. How is the prophesy of Birnam Wood moving to Dusinane Hill fulfilled? The prophecy of Birnam Wood moving to Dunsinane Hill is fulfilled when Malcolm's army disguises themselves with branches from Birnam Wood as they march toward Dunsinane Hill. This gives the illusion that the forest is moving, fulfilling the witches' prophecy 5. Why doesn't Macbeth put his armor on when he goes out to do battle? Macbeth doesn't put his armor on when he goes out to do battle because he has become overconfident and believes himself invincible due to the witches' prophecies. He believes that no man born of a woman can harm him, so he sees no need for armor 6. What is said that frightens Macbeth before he is killed by Macduff? Before he is killed by Macduff, Macbeth is frightened by the realization that Macduff was "from his mother's womb untimely ripped," fulfilling the witches' prophecy that no man born of a woman can harm him 7. Who decides who becomes king and who does he choose? The decision of who becomes king ultimately lies with the surviving nobles and leaders of Scotland. After Macbeth's death, they choose Malcolm, the rightful heir to the throne and Duncan's son, as the new king of Scotland