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Quizzes > Books & Literature

Macbeth Act 4 Quiz: Vocabulary and Key Terms

Quick, free quiz to test Macbeth Act 4 vocabulary. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Azriel HunterUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of layered Macbeth elements and key terms avarice integrity on teal background for Act 4 quiz

This Macbeth Act 4 quiz helps you check key vocabulary and moments, from avarice to integrity, and see what you know. Get instant feedback on definitions and context, then build skills with Macbeth vocabulary act 1 and Macbeth act 3 quiz, or review with Macbeth acts 1-3 quiz.

What does the word "avarice" most nearly mean in the context of Macbeth Act 4?
Courage
Greed
Generosity
Envy
Avarice means extreme greed, especially for wealth or material gain, which reflects Macbeth's insatiable hunger for power in Act 4. This term captures one of the play's central themes: the destructive nature of unchecked ambition. By labeling Macbeth's desires as avarice, Shakespeare underscores the moral decay of his protagonist. For more on this definition, see .
In Act 4, "brandish" most nearly means:
Discard
Remove
Conceal
Wield or wave
To brandish means to wave or flourish something, often a weapon, in a threatening or showy manner. Macbeth brandishes his sword metaphorically as he moves toward violent action. Shakespeare uses this verb to evoke visual drama on stage. For further detail, see .
The term "hamper" in Act 4 is best understood as:
Wrap
Hinder or obstruct
Collect
Carry
Hamper means to impede progress or movement, which reflects obstacles placed before Macbeth's opponents. In Act 4, it conveys restraint or obstruction, heightening the play's tension. Shakespeare often uses it to emphasize conflict and struggle. For more, see .
What is the meaning of "purged" in Macbeth Act 4?
Delayed
Cleansed or purified
Hidden
Punished
Purged means cleansed or rid of impurities, often used metaphorically for guilt or sin. In Act 4, characters seek a form of purging to remove moral stain. The word underscores themes of guilt and redemption in the play. See .
In the witches' chant, "gall" most nearly means:
Wound
Gift
Bitterness
Heal
Gall refers to bitterness or something bitter to the taste. Shakespeare uses it in the witches' ingredients to evoke a caustic, malevolent atmosphere. The term also connotes deep resentment, aligning with the play's dark mood. For more information, see .
What does "desolate" mean in the line "A desolate place" from Act 4?
Bright
Deserted or bleak
Packed
Joyful
Desolate means abandoned or grimly empty, perfectly capturing the witches' lonely heath in Act 4. Shakespeare's setting emphasizes isolation and supernatural menace. The desolation heightens suspense and foreboding. More details at .
The word "vigil" in Act 4 most closely means:
A hall
A watch or period of keeping awake
A ceremony
A feast
A vigil is a period of wakefulness, often for keeping watch or prayer. In Act 4, the term suggests a tense, watchful atmosphere as characters anticipate danger. The word reinforces the play's themes of suspicion and uneasy anticipation. See .
What does "consolation" mean in Macbeth Act 4?
Fear
Sorrow
Comfort or solace
Anger
Consolation means relief or comfort, especially following loss or distress. In Act 4, characters seek consolation amid tragedy and betrayal. Shakespeare uses it to highlight human response to grief. For more, see .
In Act 4, the term "incensed" most nearly means:
Awakened
Bored
Calm
Very angry
Incensed means enraged or extremely angry. Macbeth becomes incensed when he hears of Macduff's defiance in Act 4. Shakespeare's choice of this word intensifies Macbeth's wrath. Learn more at .
The word "sovereignty" in Act 4 refers to:
Religion
Poverty
Supreme power or authority
Honesty
Sovereignty means supreme authority or rule, which aligns with the discussion of kingship and power in Act 4. Macbeth's fears about losing sovereignty drive much of the action. Shakespeare explores the burdens of royal power through this term. More at .
How is "integrity" used in Macbeth Act 4?
Revenge
Honesty or moral uprightness
Strength
Madness
Integrity refers to moral soundness and honesty, contrasting sharply with Macbeth's deceit. In Act 4, it highlights characters like Macduff who remain true to their principles. Shakespeare uses the term to contrast virtue with corruption. For details, see .
In Act 4, who is described as an "equivocator"?
A doctor
A friend
A hero
Someone who speaks ambiguously to deceive
An equivocator is a person who uses ambiguous language to conceal the truth or avoid commitment. Shakespeare uses the term to comment on deceptive rhetoric in Act 4. It underscores themes of appearance versus reality. See .
What does "beguile" mean in the context of Macbeth Act 4?
Betray
Deceive or charm
Awaken
Ignore
Beguile means to deceive or charm, often with misleading intent. Macbeth uses deception repeatedly, and the witches beguile him with their prophecies in Act 4. The word highlights tricky appearances in the play. For more information, see .
In Act 4, "brood" most nearly means:
To hatch
To rejoice
To worry or fret
To reflect
To brood means to dwell on a subject, especially in a worrying or morose way. Macbeth broods over his fears and guilt throughout Act 4. Shakespeare uses this to show the character's inner torment. See .
What is the meaning of "cleave" as Macbeth uses it in Act 4?
Beg
Betray
Cling or adhere
Split apart
Cleave can mean either to split or to cling; here it means to cling. In Act 4, characters cleave to loyalty or ambition. Shakespeare's dual-use underscores tension between union and division. More at .
In the phrase "Nothing in his life became him like the leaving it," what does "prompt" mean, if used elsewhere similarly?
Delay
Threaten
Hasten
Encourage or move to action
To prompt means to incite or encourage action. Shakespeare uses it when one character urges another. The verb shows how words can drive deeds in the play. See .
What does "judicious" mean in Macbeth Act 4?
Cruel
Poor
Swift
Wise and careful
Judicious means having or showing good judgment. In Act 4, characters who act with deliberation are described this way. Shakespeare contrasts judicious counsel with rash decisions. More at .
In Act 4, "confound" most nearly means:
Salute
Confuse or frustrate
Praise
Defeat honorably
Confound means to bewilder or bring to ruin. Shakespeare uses it when Macduff wants to confound Macbeth's plans. It underscores the chaos of betrayal. See .
What is a "charnel" place as mentioned in Act 4?
A kitchen
A burial place or vault
A garden
A battlefield
A charnel house is a building where human skeletal remains are kept. Shakespeare's mention evokes death and decay, reinforcing the play's grim atmosphere. The witches' lair becomes a metaphorical charnel. More at .
In Macbeth Act 4, what does "resolute" mean?
Weak
Determined or unwavering
Tired
Kind
Resolute means firmly determined. Macbeth's resolute actions contrast with fleeting loyalties around him. Shakespeare uses the term to highlight character firmness amid turmoil. For more, visit .
The word "rancors" in Act 4 most nearly means:
Deep resentments
Gifts
Songs
Warriors
Rancors are long-held feelings of bitterness or resentment. In Act 4, several characters harbor rancors that drive the action. Shakespeare uses the plural to emphasize multiple grudges. See .
What does "apparitions" refer to in the witches' scene in Act 4?
Shadows
Ghostly visions
Treaties
Speeches
Apparitions are supernatural appearances or ghosts. The witches summon them in Act 4 to deliver prophecies to Macbeth. The term underscores the scene's eerie, otherworldly tone. More at .
In Act 4, "forestall" most nearly means:
Wait
Reward
Greet
Prevent or hinder
To forestall means to act in order to prevent or delay something. Macbeth hopes to forestall threats to his throne by consulting the witches in Act 4. Shakespeare uses it to convey strategic intervention. See .
In Act 4, what does "homage" mean?
Respectful honor or tribute
Gift
Payment
Injury
Homage is an expression of respect or reverence, often formally shown to a sovereign. Characters in Act 4 give homage to their king or express loyalty. Shakespeare highlights fealty and political bonds with this term. For more, see .
What does "censure" mean in Macbeth Act 4?
Paint
Measure
Praise highly
Express strong disapproval
To censure means to criticize severely. In Act 4, characters censure Macbeth's tyranny. Shakespeare uses the term to highlight moral judgment. More details at .
Which meaning best fits "similitude" in Act 4?
Disparity
Similarity or likeness
Crudeness
Design
Similitude means likeness or resemblance, used by Shakespeare to draw parallels between characters or situations. In Act 4, he compares past and present to emphasize themes. See .
In the witches' prophecy, what does "dismal" mean?
Bright
Joyous
Gloomy or depressing
Clear
Dismal means bleak or depressing, fitting the witches' dark incantations in Act 4. Shakespeare's choice reinforces the play's ominous mood. More at .
What does "impede" mean as used in Act 4?
Honor
Support
Obstruct or hinder
Measure
To impede means to obstruct or slow the progress of something. Macbeth's enemies try to impede his reign. Shakespeare uses it to underscore conflict. See .
In Act 4, "furbish" is used to mean:
Break
Hide
Polish or brighten
Sell
Furbish means to restore shine or polish. Macbeth's desire to furbish his reputation is ironic given his crimes. Shakespeare uses this term to contrast appearance with reality. More at .
What does "pristine" mean in Act 4?
Pure or unspoiled
Dark
Broken
Used
Pristine means in its original, unspoiled state. Shakespeare often uses it to contrast innocence with corruption. In Act 4, the witches' references to purity heighten dramatic irony. See .
"Malevolence" in Act 4 most nearly means:
Comfort
Bravery
Ill will or hatred
Beauty
Malevolence means having or showing a desire to harm others. Macbeth's malevolent deeds escalate in Act 4. Shakespeare uses this noun to paint his moral decline. For more, see .
What does "blaspheme" mean as used by Macbeth or the witches in Act 4?
Speak disrespectfully about sacred things
Pray earnestly
Honor truly
Chant softly
Blaspheme means to speak sacrilegiously about God or sacred things. The witches' rituals in Act 4 verge on blasphemy, underlining their evil. Shakespeare uses it to shock audiences. More at .
In Act 4, "stealthy" most nearly means:
Open
Secretive or sneaky
Violent
Loud
Stealthy means acting quietly or secretly to avoid detection. Macbeth moves with stealth as he plots further murders. Shakespeare uses this adjective to convey treachery. For more information, see .
What does "grievous" mean in the line describing Macduff's reaction in Act 4?
Smooth
Serious or severe
Funny
Trivial
Grievous means causing grief or sorrow; serious. Macduff's response to his family's fate is described as grievous. Shakespeare uses the term to heighten pathos. More at .
What does "vantage" mean as Macbeth uses it in Act 4?
Advantage or position of strength
Disadvantage
Distance
Hatred
Vantage refers to a position or condition that gives one a superior view or advantage. In Act 4, Macbeth seeks any vantage to secure his throne. Shakespeare's use underscores strategic power plays. See .
In Act 4, the insult "caitiff" is used to describe a character. What does it mean?
A trusted friend
A wealthy noble
A cowardly or despicable person
A noble warrior
Caitiff means a wretch or despicable coward. Shakespeare employs it in Act 4 to demean enemies or traitors. The term heightens invective and moral judgment. More at .
In Act 4 Scene 3, Malcolm lists several vices. Which word means "lack of self-control"?
Courage
Avarice
Gluttony
Intemperance
Intemperance means lack of restraint or self-control, especially regarding appetites or passions. In Act 4 Scene 3, Malcolm warns Macduff about this vice. Shakespeare uses the term to test loyalty and moral integrity. See .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze Shakespearean Vocabulary -

    Identify and interpret key terms from Macbeth Act 4, such as "avarice" and "integrity," to deepen your understanding of Shakespeare's language.

  2. Interpret Character Motivations -

    Examine how Lady Macbeth and the witches drive the plot in Act 4 by analyzing their speech and actions.

  3. Evaluate Prophetic Imagery -

    Assess the significance of the witches' prophecies and how their predictions influence Macbeth's decisions.

  4. Apply Contextual Clues -

    Use surrounding text to deduce the meanings of challenging words and phrases in the macbeth act 4 quiz.

  5. Enhance Critical Thinking -

    Strengthen your analytical skills by tackling act 4 questions macbeth style and justifying your quiz answers with textual evidence.

  6. Boost Quiz Performance -

    Gain confidence in your command of Shakespeare's terminology through targeted practice in this macbeth vocabulary quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Avarice -

    Avarice means extreme greed or insatiable desire for wealth, a key flaw driving Macbeth's tyranny in Act 4. Remember "A V A R I C E" as "All Value's A Relentless Itchy Covetous Excess" to hook the term in your memory. Literary scholars at Oxford note that Shakespeare uses avarice to expose moral decay in power.

  2. Integrity -

    Integrity, or moral uprightness, is tested when Macduff challenges Malcolm in Act 4, Scene 3 to prove his honor. Use the mnemonic "I N T E G R I T Y" = "I Never Trade Ethics, Gratitude Remains In True You" to recall its spelling and meaning. According to Cambridge analyses, this test scene highlights integrity versus ambition.

  3. Equivocate -

    To equivocate is to speak ambiguously or misleadingly, famously used by the witches ("Fair is foul, and foul is fair") in Act 4, Scene 1. Think "E-QUI-VIC-TATE" as "Elusive Questions, Underhanded Intent, Various Indirect Cryptic Answers Today Ever" to lock in the definition. The Arden Shakespeare edition explains how equivocation fuels Macbeth's false confidence.

  4. Palter -

    Palter means to talk or act insincerely; in Act 4, Macbeth himself palters with the witches for half-truths. Remember "PAL-TER" with "Playing A Lie Through Evasive Rhetoric." Research from the Folger Library shows that Shakespeare's use of palter deepens themes of deception and mistrust.

  5. Surcease -

    Surcease means to bring to an end, as in Macbeth's longing to "surcease" his torment after the apparitions' prophecies. Use the simple rhyme "Sur-cease = Sure-cease = Sure to cease" to memorize the term. Scholarly commentary at Harvard's Shakespeare site highlights how surcease underscores the play's tension between life and death.

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