This scene can be roughly divided into three: the Witches' casting of a spell the supernatural answers to Macbeth's demands and Macbeth's return to the cold world of political and social reality. All this serves only to enrage Macbeth, who, trusting in his own pride, reveals in an aside to the audience his determination to slaughter the family of Macduff. The second is a blood-covered child who comforts Macbeth with the news that he cannot be killed by any man "of woman born." The third is a child wearing a crown, who promises that Macbeth cannot lose in battle until Birnam wood physically moves toward his stronghold at Dunsinane.Įncouraged by the news of such impossibilities, Macbeth asks, "Shall Banquo's issue ever reign in this kingdom?" The Witches present an image of a ghostly procession of future kings, led by Banquo. The first apparition is the disembodied head of a warrior who seems to warn Macbeth of a bloody revenge at the hands of Macduff. At this news Macbeth says, "The flighty purpose never is o'ertook / Unless the deed go with it: from this moment / The very firstlings of my heart shall be / The firstlings of my hand." Act 4, Scene 1, lines 145-8 With this Macbeth decides to go to Fife, Macduff's home, and murder Macduff's wife and children while he is away in England rallying forces against Macbeth.Macbeth returns to the Weird Sisters and boldly demands to be shown a series of apparitions that tell his future. But while Macbeth was meeting with the witches, several riders came to give him word that Macduff had fled to England. Macbeth calls Lennox into the cave to ask if he saw the weird sisters leaving, and Lennox did not. After answering his question, the witches, joined by Hecate, dance around and then vanish. In the glass that the eighth holds are many more kings from Banquo's line. Macbeth sees that all of these kings are of Banquo's line as the ghost smiles at him and points at the kings of his lineage. The last king has a glass in his hand, and Banquo's ghost follows the eighth king. Although the witches tell him to be satisfied with what he already knows, Macbeth insists they answer his last question. He wants to know if Banquo's line will ever hold the throne. But Macbeth has another question that he insists the witches must answer. Macbeth feels invincible at these tidings because no one can bid the forest to uproot. This final vision tells the king that "Macbeth shall never vanquished be until / Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill / Shall come against him." Act 4, Scene 1, lines 92-4 It is a child crowned that holds a tree in his hand. Thunder sounds a third time and a third and final vision appears. But just to be sure, and so that he might rest easy, Macbeth vows to kill Macduff anyway. Macbeth reasons that if none shall kill him, he should not fear Macduff. The vision tells him, "Be bloody, bold, and resolute laugh to scorn / The power of man, for none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth." Act 4, Scene 1, lines 79-81 Thunder sounds and a second vision appears-a bloody child. Macbeth tries to ask another question of that vision, but one of the witches warns the king that these visions will not be commanded. Thunder sounds and a vision of an armed head rises and tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff, the Thane of Fife. Their master will answer Macbeth with apparitions. The witches tell Macbeth to watch and speak not because the questions in his mind are known. The witches call upon their potion to answer his thoughts and questions. Macbeth comes to the cavern and demands answers to his questions about the future. Hecate appears with them and tells them that their efforts shall be rewarded before she disappears again. They chant together as they concoct a potion or a brew. The three witches stand around a cauldron bubbling in a cavern with thunder in the background.
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