Act 4 Scene 2-

Macbeth

B Y J AY D A ,
S U M M E R , A AYA N
Summary
• Macduff's wife, Lady Macduff, questions Ross about her
husband fleeing to England. She doesn't understand why he
would leave his family defenseless at a time like this. Ross tries
to reassure her, insisting she trusts her husband’s judgment, and
then leaves. Lady Macduff tells her son that his father is dead, but
he does not believe her.
• Soon, a messenger arrives to tell Lady Macduff and her son that
danger is coming for them. Immediately after the murderers
arrive and they kill her son. She flees, with the murderers close
behind her.
Literary 1. Foreshadowing: The messenger's warning to Lady Macduff that she and her
children are in danger is an example of foreshadowing. This literary device hints
Devices And at the tragic events that will soon unfold and creates a sense of foreboding for the
audience.
Effects 2. Irony: Lady Macduff's insistence that she and her children are safe, despite the
warnings from Ross and the messenger, is an example of irony. This literary
device highlights the naivety of Lady Macduff's belief and creates a sense of
dramatic irony for the audience, who knows that she and her family are in grave
danger.
3. Pathetic Fallacy: The stormy weather outside the castle, which is described by
Lady Macduff and the messenger, is an example of pathetic fallacy. This literary
device uses the weather to reflect the mood and emotions of the characters,
creating a sense of tension and foreboding.
4. Symbolism: The murderers who enter the room and kill Lady Macduff and her
son are a symbol of the violence and chaos that has engulfed Scotland under
Macbeth's rule. This literary device highlights the destructive nature of Macbeth's
ambition and creates a sense of tragedy for the audience.
Key Quotes
1. "Wisdom! To leave his wife, to leave his babes, His mansion and his titles in a place/ From whence himself does fly?" -
Lady Macduff (lines 6-8)

• Lady Macduff is questioning the wisdom of Macduff, her husband, for leaving his family and home to go to England.
She feels abandoned and vulnerable, wondering how Macduff could leave them behind in such a dangerous time.

2. "Then the liars and swearers are fools, for there are liars and swearers enough to beat the honest men and hang up
them." - Son (lines 54-55)

• Lady Macduff's son is arguing that honesty is not always the best policy, since liars and swearers can often manipulate
and overpower honest men. He is highlighting the corrupt nature of the world they live in and the dangers they face.

• Metaphor - "Poor bird ... pitfall nor the gin" (4.2.34-35)- Lady Macduff compares her son's innocence, calling him, a
"poor bird"- one who is too naïve of all the dangerous traps and dangers in life.
Key Quotes 2
3. "He loves us not; He wants the natural touch: for the poor wren, The most diminutive of birds, will
fight, Her young ones in her nest, against the owl." - Lady Macduff (lines 8-11)

• Lady Macduff is criticizing Macduff for abandoning his family, claiming that even the smallest and weakest
creatures, like a wren, will fiercely protect their young. She feels that Macduff is not displaying the natural
love and protection that he should have for his family.

4. "Whither should I fly? / I have done no harm." – Lady Macduff (lines 70-71)

• Lady Macduff is expressing her fear and confusion at the danger they are facing. She has done nothing
wrong, yet she knows that she is in danger because of Macbeth's reign. This line highlights the injustice
and terror of the situation, where innocent people are caught up in the chaos and violence of those in
power.
Context

• Macbeth has now murdered an innocent family. This scene serves

to illustrate the devastating impact of Macbeth's harsh rule on the
innocent people of Scotland. This marks Macbeth's descent into
madness and insanity. Lady Macduff's anger and the warning of
danger, create a sense of fear, foreshadowing the violence and
tragedy that will soon unfold.
Act 5 Scene 1
Summary
• A doctor and a noble woman discusses
Lady Macbeth's bizarre behavior, which
includes sleepwalking. Suddenly Lady
Macbeth sleepwalks into the scene and
reveals details of Macbeth's
involvement with the murders and says
that she has blood on her hands but is
unable to wash it off.
 "Who would have
thought the old man
to have had so much
blood in him"

This quote can be interpreted as

commentary on human condition,
suggesting that someone innocent and
harmless as an "old man" can be full of life
within.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.

 The "damned spot" is symbolic of
Lady Macbeth's guilt and paranoia
that she cannot escape due to her
past actions.

"Out, damned spot! out, I

say!"

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

 "All the perfumes of
Arabia will not sweeten
this little hand."
This quote represents the
irreversibility of actions and the
overwhelming sense of remorse of
Lady Macbeth, along with her
altering state of mind
 "What's done cannot be
undone"
Lady Macbeth is struck with the sense
of judgement of their own conscience
to the crimes they have committed.
The following quote discusses the
entirety and disclosure of their actions
as sinful deeds which are irreversible
and consequent.
Literary devices

Lady Macbeth believes she cannot get rid of the blood, "all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten
this little hand," (line 37,38) is an irony, earlier in the play, Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that "a little
water clears us of this deed", she finds herself in a situation that Macbeth was previously in due to
the murdering of King Duncan and the guilt they had after.

'Blood' is a motif that is stated many times, the blood symbolizes the guilt Lady Macbeth is living
with. Another perspective is that the blood represents the power and ambition she has,
like Macbeth, when he fights in battle.

"What's done cannot be undone," is repetition that elucidates that the events taken place and the
actions Lady Macbeth has committed cannot be undone.
 • Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking
is caused by her guilt and
troubled conscience, however
in medieval Scottish context,
some people may have
interpreted her behavior as
evidence of supernatural
forces such as witchcraft or
possession from evil spirits.
• This fits into the theme of the
supernatural, which were
popular themes in literature at
the time. Shakespeare utilizes
sleepwalking to display the
theme to make the play
uneasy for the audience.
Relevant context
Important part of the scene
• "Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One, two, why, then, 'tis time to do't! Hell is murky! Fie, my lord,
fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to
account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him!"
• This is an important part of the scene because it reveals Lady Macbeth's hidden remorse, and
how it contradicts what she said earlier in the play.