The Body is Discovered

• How does the Porter's monologue affect the tension in the scene before Duncan's body is discovered?

  It relieves tension while simultaneously building suspense.
• What role does dramatic irony play in the audience's anticipation of Duncan's murder?

  The audience knows Duncan has been murdered, while the characters do not, creating suspense.
• What does the Porter refer to the Macbeths' castle gate as?

  "Hell-gate"
• What does the Porter joke about in relation to treason?

  He jokes about a man sent to hell who "committed treason".
• How does Lennox's description of the night contribute to the atmosphere of the scene?

  His comments about the "unruly" and stormy night create a sense of foreboding.
• What does Lennox compare the wind's sound to?

  He compares it to "strange screams of death".
• What does Lennox mean when he says the storm was "prophesying with accents terrible"?

  It reflects the terrible events that have occurred and foreshadows future events.
• How does Macduff's reaction to finding Duncan's body contribute to the scene?

  His horror emphasizes the severity of the murder.
• What does Macbeth confess to doing out of rage?

  He confesses to killing Duncan's servants.
• Why does Lady Macbeth faint when she hears Macbeth's confession?

  It could be to distract others from Macbeth's behavior or due to her horror at his violence.
• Why do Malcolm and Donalbain decide to run away?

  They fear for their lives after Duncan's murder.
• How does Malcolm and Donalbain's flight affect Macbeth's position?

  It makes them look guilty and allows Macbeth to take the throne.
• What is notable about Macbeth's speech before Duncan's body is found?

  He speaks in short sentences, indicating distraction and tension.
• How does Macbeth's language change upon discovering Duncan's body?

  He uses poetic language, describing Duncan's "silver skin laced with his golden blood".
• What does Macbeth attempt to do after seeing Macduff's language?

  He tries to mirror Macduff's language but fails to do so completely.
• What does Macduff's suspicion of Macbeth indicate about their relationship?

  Macduff's suspicion suggests a growing distrust between them.
• How does Macduff's behavior change after he becomes suspicious of Macbeth?

  He remains relatively quiet for the rest of the scene.
• What is the purpose of Scene 4 in Macbeth?

  To create a sense of fear and uncertainty as a bridge between Act 2 and Act 3
• How do strange events after Duncan's death reflect the natural order in Macbeth?

  They show that the country's well-being is linked to that of its king, indicating bad omens for Macbeth's reign
• What does the phrase "dark night strangles the travelling lamp" symbolize in Scene 4?

  It symbolizes the evil that has come over Scotland
• What do the falcon and the owl represent in the scene?

  The falcon symbolizes Duncan, while the owl symbolizes Macbeth
• What unnatural event involving horses is mentioned in Scene 4?

  Horses have been eating each other
• What does Macduff's decision not to attend Macbeth's coronation suggest about his character?

  It suggests that he is suspicious of Macbeth and sets him up as Macbeth's main enemy
• What are the key themes presented in Scene 4 of Macbeth?

  • Fear and uncertainty
  • Disruption of natural order
  • Bad omens for Macbeth's reign
  • Symbolism of darkness and unnatural events
• How do the events in Scene 4 foreshadow future conflicts in Macbeth?

  • Strange occurrences indicate turmoil
  • Macduff's suspicion of Macbeth suggests impending opposition
  • The unnatural events symbolize the consequences of Macbeth's actions