Act 2 scene 4

• What key theme is linked to Act 2, Scene 4?

  The unnatural order of things
• What is the primary focus of Act 2, Scene 4?

  Exposition and moving the plot forward
• What is the setting of Scene 4?

  Outside Macbeth's castle
• Who are the characters present in Scene 4?

  Ross and an old man
• What does the old man symbolize in the scene?

  The common Scottish person affected by events
• How many years does the old man claim to remember?

  Seventy years
• What does the old man say about the events of the past 70 years?

  Many strange and dreadful things happened
• What does Ross imply about the heavens in his response to the old man?

  The heavens are troubled by man's actions
• What does the phrase "night strangles the traveling lamp" suggest?

  Daytime is overshadowed by unnatural darkness
• What does the old man compare the unnatural darkness to?

  The unnatural deed of Duncan's murder
• What unusual event involving a falcon does the old man describe?

  A falcon was killed by an owl
• What does the falcon's death by an owl symbolize?

  The inversion of the natural order
• What happens to Duncan's horses after his murder?

  They turn wild and break their stalls
• What rumor does the old man mention about Duncan's horses?

  They started eating each other
• What does the behavior of the horses reflect about the state of nature?

  Nature is disrupted by unnatural events
• Who arrives at the end of Scene 4?

  Macduff
• What question does Ross ask Macduff upon his arrival?

  How goes the world, sir?
• What does Macduff imply about the state of the world?

  It is visibly troubled and chaotic
• What does Ross question about the murder of Duncan?

  What good could the guards gain from it?
• Who does Macduff say is suspected of the murder?

  Malcolm and Donalbain
• What action do Malcolm and Donalbain take after Duncan's murder?

  They flee the scene
• What suspicion falls upon Malcolm and Donalbain after they flee?

  They are suspected of the murder
• Who is asking about the murder of the king?

  Ross
• What does Ross question about the murder?

  He questions the motive behind it
• Who does Macduff say Macbeth has slain?

  The guards of King Duncan
• What suspicion falls on Malcolm and Donalbain?

  They are suspected of the king's murder
• Why does Ross find the sons' actions suspicious?

  They fled immediately after the murder
• What does Ross mean by "against nature"?

  It refers to sons killing their father
• What does Macduff imply about ambition?

  It can lead to self-destructive actions
• Who is likely to become king after Duncan?

  Macbeth
• What does Macduff say about Macbeth's coronation?

  Macbeth has already been named king
• Where is Macbeth going for his coronation?

  To Scone
• What happens to Duncan's body after his death?

  It is taken to his burial place
• What does Macduff decide not to attend?

  Macbeth's coronation
• What does Macduff's absence from the coronation suggest?

  He may distrust Macbeth
• What does Ross plan to do after parting with Macduff?

  He plans to attend the coronation
• What does Macduff hope for Macbeth's reign?

  That he will be a good king
• What do the "old robes" and "new robes" symbolize?

  Old robes symbolize Duncan, new robes symbolize Macbeth
• What does Ross say as a farewell to Macduff?

  God's blessing go with you
• What does the language of inversion refer to in the context of the play?

  Good becoming bad and vice versa