What are the witches doing when this scene opens?
What is the refrain or chorus of their song?
How does Macbeth greet the witches?
What is the first apparition and what does it prophesy?
What is the second apparition and what does it prophesy?
What is the third apparition and what does it prophesy?
What is the last apparition?
How does Macbeth plan to protect himself from Macduff’s threat?
How does Lady Macduff react when Ross tells her that Macduff has gone to England?
Why does Lady Macduff tell her son that his father is dead?
What happens at the end of the scene?
Examine the word choice in the Second Witch’s spell in Act IV, Scene 1, lines 12–19. What are some examples of words and phrases with strong connotations? What are the connotations?
What is the impact of the word choice on the tone of the Second Witch’s spell in Scene I, lines 12–19? Discuss not only the meaning but also the sounds created by the words and their placement.
In Act IV, Scene 2, what criticism does Lady Macduff express about her husband? Cite specific quotations from the text to support your response.
In Act IV, Scene 2, what can you infer about the kind of relationship that Lady Macduff has with her son? Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support your inferences.