Act 4 Scene 1


Macbeth


used by the human characters.However, despite the horrendous spells and awful chanting, the real evil lies in the heart of Macbeth – the witches have merely encouraged it.


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Macbeth is presentedwith three apparitions. The firstwarnsMacbeth, ‘BewareMacduff!’ thus confirmingMacbeth’s suspicions ofMacduff. The second apparition givesMacbeth confidence by instructing him to ‘Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn/ The power of man’ as ‘none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth’. Just as Hecate predicted in Act 3, Macbeth becomes overconfident thinking nomanmay harmhim. The third apparition buoysMacbeth’s confidence further. He learns that ‘Macbeth shall never vanquished be until / Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill / Shall come against him’. As such a thing seems impossible, Macbeth assumes that he will live a full lifespan. Despite the last two seemingly positive predictions, Macbeth decides to murder Macduff to ‘make assurance double sure’.


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Macbeth doesn’t reflect on the possiblemeanings of the apparitions. Instead he takes them as positive signs: ‘Sweet bodements! good!’


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Macbeth is shown a procession of kings, all descendants of Banquo. The eighth king is James I, King of England and Scotland whenMacbeth was first performed. Shakespeare intended to flatter James I in this play.


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Macbeth’smoral decline continues in this scene.He decides tomurderMacduff’s family in an unnecessary act of vindictive evil: ‘give to the edge o' the sword / His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line’. Macbeth promises he will now act without reflection, satisfying every murderous whim: ‘The very firstlings of my heart shall be / The firstlings of my hand’. Macbeth’s transformation from the noble warrior of Act 1 to a cruel tyrant is now complete.


Questions


1. Compare Macbeth’s encounter with the witches in Act 1 Scene 3 with his meeting in this scene.


2. (a) Describe each of the apparitions that Macbeth sees. (b) State what advice each of them gives. (c) What effect does this advice have on Macbeth?


3. In Act 3, Scene 5 Hecate predicts that Macbeth, ‘shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace and fear: And you all know, security Is mortals' chiefest enemy’


Is she correct? Explain your answer by referring to the text.


4. There seems to be no logical reason for Macbeth to murder Macduff’s family. Why do you think he does it?


5. Why does Macbeth say, ‘The very firstlings of my heart shall be / The firstlings of my hand’? 91


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