Act 4 Scene 1:

Characters: Witch 1, 2 and 3, Hecate, Macbeth and Lennox, 1, 2 and 3 Apparition
Location: In a dark cave

Summary: Macbeth meets the three Witches in a cave. The witches summon Apparations and the first one (a floating head) warns him to beware Macduff. A bloody child appears and says “none of women born / shall harm Macbeth.” Lennox enters and tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth sends someone to murder his wife and Kids.

Simple Summary: Macbeth gets warned about Macduff. He also gets told that no born the normal way can hurt Macbeth.

Quote: ” For none of woman born shall harm Macbeth’

Quote Explained: This is saying that no man born should harm Macbeth. This giving him the thought that no human could possibly defeat him.

Analysis: The apparition lead Macbeth on into ever-further acts of violence with the false hope that nobody who is born of woman can harm him. Humans born by a cesarean could trouble him.

Scene 4 Act 2:

Characters: Lady Macduff, Rosse, Son, Messenger and Murderer
Location: Fife – A room in Macduff’s Castle

Summary: Lady Macduff tells her son that Macduff has died. Murderers come in and kill Macduffs son and he tells his mum to fleed.

Quote: “Fathered he is, and yet he’s fatherless.”
– Lady Macbeth

Quote Explained: This means Macduff is literally father but is fatherless due to lack of loyalty.

Scene 4 Sct 3:

Characters: Macduff, Malcom, Doctor and Rosse
Location: England – A room in the Kings Palace

Summary: Macduff passes Malcoms test of loyalty after his loyalty to Scotland. Rosse comes in and tells Macduff that his family is well He then falls in and tells Macduff that his wife, kids and servants are dead. Malcom urges Macduff to turn his grief into anger for Macbeth.

Quote: “This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues,15Was once thought honest.”
– Malcom

Quote Explained: Malcom is saying to Macduf that the act that Macbeth played on Macduff has left blisters on their tongue because it is so bad.