What happens in Act 4, scene 2 of Macbeth

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What happens in Act 4, scene 2 of Macbeth

Macduff's family is attacked.

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, but no sooner does he leave than a messenger arrives to tell Lady Macduff and her son to run for their lives. But it’s too late—the murderers have arrived, and they kill her son. She flees, the murderers hot on her heels.

Detailed Summary & Analysis

Act 1, scene 1 Act 1, scene 2 Act 1, scene 3 Act 1, scene 4 Act 1, scene 5 Act 1, scene 6 Act 1, scene 7 Act 2, scene 1 Act 2, scene 2 Act 2, scene 3 Act 2, scene 4 Act 3, scene 1 Act 3, scene 2 Act 3, scene 3 Act 3, scene 4 Act 3, scene 5 Act 3, scene 6 Act 4, scene 1 Act 4, scene 2 Act 4, scene 3 Act 5, scene 1 Act 5, scene 2 Act 5, scene 3 Act 5, scene 4 Act 5, scene 5 Act 5, scene 6 Act 5, scene 7 Act 5, scene 8 Act 5, scene 9 Act 5, scene 10 Act 5, scene 11

What happens in Act 4, scene 2 of Macbeth
What happens in Act 4, scene 2 of Macbeth

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Macbeth

Summary & Analysis

  • Act 1, scene 1
  • Act 1, scene 2
  • Act 1, scene 3
  • Act 1, scene 4
  • Act 1, scene 5
  • Act 1, scene 6
  • Act 1, scene 7
  • Act 2, scene 1
  • Act 2, scene 2
  • Act 2, scene 3
  • Act 2, scene 4
  • Act 3, scene 1
  • Act 3, scene 2
  • Act 3, scene 3
  • Act 3, scene 4
  • Act 3, scene 5
  • Act 3, scene 6
  • Act 4, scene 1
  • Act 4, scene 2
  • Act 4, scene 3
  • Act 5, scene 1
  • Act 5, scene 2
  • Act 5, scene 3
  • Act 5, scene 4
  • Act 5, scene 5
  • Act 5, scene 6
  • Act 5, scene 7
  • Act 5, scene 8
  • Act 5, scene 9
  • Act 5, scene 10
  • Act 5, scene 11

Themes

  • All Themes
  • What happens in Act 4, scene 2 of Macbeth

    Ambition
  • What happens in Act 4, scene 2 of Macbeth

    Fate
  • What happens in Act 4, scene 2 of Macbeth

    Violence
  • What happens in Act 4, scene 2 of Macbeth

    Nature and the Unnatural
  • What happens in Act 4, scene 2 of Macbeth

    Manhood

At Fife (Macduff's castle), Lady Macduff is angry. She demands to know why Macduff has gone to England, leaving her behind. She thinks Macduff is a coward. Ross says Macduff's flight could be the result of wisdom, not fear.

Another debate about manhood. Does a real man sacrifice the safety of his family for the good of his country?

Active Themes

What happens in Act 4, scene 2 of Macbeth

After Ross leaves, Lady Macduff turns to her son. She tells the boy that his father is dead. The boy doesn't believe her, but asks if his father is a traitor. Lady Macduff says yes, Macduff is a traitor: a man who swore an oath and broke it and now must hang. The boy thinks if traitors allow themselves to be hanged they must be fools, since there are undoubtedly more traitors than honest men in the world.

Macduff's son is wise beyond his years, noting that those who put themselves above society far outnumber those who put the common good above their own selfish ambitions.

Active Themes

What happens in Act 4, scene 2 of Macbeth

What happens in Act 4, scene 2 of Macbeth

A servant bursts in to warn of coming danger, then rushes out. Before Lady Macduff or her children can run, murderers enter the chamber, stab Macduff's son, and chase Lady Macduff offstage.

Macbeth has ordered the murder of the innocent. His loss of humanity is complete, and the seeds of his self-destruction are sown.

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What is the summary of Act 4 Scene 2?

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, but no sooner does he leave than a messenger arrives to tell Lady Macduff and her son to run for their lives.

What does Lady Macbeth do in Act 4 Scene 2?

She tells the boy that his father is dead. The boy doesn't believe her, but asks if his father is a traitor. Lady Macduff says yes, Macduff is a traitor: a man who swore an oath and broke it and now must hang.

What is the mood in Macbeth Act 4 Scene 2?

Macbeth is getting increasingly paranoid and starts to kill innocent people, for example: Lady Macduff and her son.

What happens in Act 4 of Macbeth?

Act 4 concerns Macbeth's growing fears about Macduff's loyalty, which are increased by the witches' prophecies and Macduff's decision to go to England. Ultimately, Macbeth secures his own downfall by murdering Macduff's family, as Macduff is now desperate for revenge.