Shakespeare's Macbeth Act 4, scene 1 In a cavern, the weird sisters throw awful ingredients such as eye of newt and toe of frog" (line 14) into a cauldron full of a boiling brew. Hecate arrives, and all dance and sing. One witch cries out, "Something wicked this way comes" (line 62). Macbeth enters. He commands the witches to answer his questions. The witches conjure up three apparitions. First a floating head appears and tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff. Next, a bloody child appears. The child says that "no man of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth" (lines 9596). Finally a child wearing a crown and holding a tree appears. It says that Macbeth will not be defeated until Great Birnam Wood marches to Dunsinane Hill. Macbeth is pleased: since forests don't march, he must be invincible. Macbeth wants to know one more thing: will Banquo's heirs have the throne? The witches perform a final conjuring. Eight kings appear walking in a line, the eighth holding a mirror, and all of them followed by Banquo's ghost. Macbeth, furious at this sign that Banquo's heirs will get the throne, demands answers. But Hecate mocks him and the witches vanish. Lennox enters. He brings word that Macduff has fled to England. In an aside, Macbeth scolds himself for failing to kill Macduff when he wanted to earlier. He vows in the future to act on every impulse, and decides to attack Macduff's castle and kill anyone connected to him: servants, wife, and children. Act 4, scene 1 Shakespeare's Macbeth WITCHES' APPARITIONS pages 136 and 138
What Macbeth Sees What Macbeth Hears Symbolism/Meaning
Macduff's rebellion a floating head beware of Macduff Macbeth's fate Macbeth is confused. Why should he beware of Madcuff if "no man of woman born "no man of woman born / shall harm him" a bloody child Shall harm Macbeth" (lines 9596). He thinks this means no one can harm him. He is wrong.
child with crown and tree symbolize Malcolm; Macbeth thinks he is a child wearing a crown and Great Birnam Wood will invincible because trees holding a tree march to Dunsinane Hill can't march. However he misunderstands this apparition as it is a symbol of Malcom's attack. Act 4, scene 1 Shakespeare's Macbeth DO NOW: Reread pages 136 and 138 and examine yesterday's WITHCES' APPARITIONS chart. An important theme in Macbeth has been things are not always what they seem to be. Make a prediction about the three apparitions as they relate to Macbeth.
What Macbeth Sees What Macbeth Hears Symbolism/Meaning
Macduff's rebellion a floating head beware of Macduff Macbeth's fate Macbeth is confused. Why should he beware of Madcuff if "no man of woman born "no man of woman born / shall harm him" a bloody child Shall harm Macbeth" (lines 9596). He thinks this means no one can harm him. He is wrong.
child with crown and tree symbolize Malcolm; Macbeth thinks he is a child wearing a crown and Great Birnam Wood will invincible because trees holding a tree march to Dunsinane Hill can't march. However he misunderstands this apparition as it is a symbol of Malcom's attack.
At least some of the prophecies are not as positive as Macbeth believes they are. He is not completely safe. Act 4, scene 1 Shakespeare's Macbeth
FOURTH APPARITION page 140 What does Macbeth learn from the images of the eight kings?
He learns that Banquo’s descendants will reign. He also sees that the last one has a mirror (glass) which shows that there will be more than eight kings. He sees images (balls and scepters) that let him know that more than one country will be ruled by these kings. Act 4, scene 1 Shakespeare's Macbeth page 144
Macbeth's Attitude Towards Killing Macbeth's Attitude Towards Killing Duncan Macduff's Family coldblooded execution of an entire filled with doubt and guilt innocent family persuaded by Lady Macbeth lost all semblance of humanity no guilt or doubt
Macbeth has interpreted the prophecies as meaning he cannot be touched. Therefore, the murders he is currently planning seem much worse because they are completely unnecessary. They gain him nothing and are against people who are not a threat.