The Greatest of Macbeth!

1. What three things does Macbeth learn from the witches and apparitions and how does he react to them?

         Macbeth is greeted by the witches in Act Four, and is greeted through three apparitions proceeding the appearance of the three witches. The act and scene begin with the appearance of the witches, concocting their witchcraft will casting a few spells. The third witch proclaims, “Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, witches’ mummy, maw and gulf of the ravined salt-sea shark,…” (Shakespeare 4.1, 22-24). What the witches are referring two in their spell castings are all evil and vicious animals. This underlying symbolism depicts that the foreshadowing acts of Macbeth being poisoned. The lines of the witches create a gradual ramp for the climax of the scene. These crucial terms of the witches empower the meanings of the three apparitions, who appear halfway through the scene.

The first apparition “Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff, beware the Thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough” (Shakespeare 4.1, 71-72). The first apparition appears as a ghost head. The message he sends is to beware Macduff, so he does not deceive against him.

The second apparition proceeds proclaiming, “Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth” (Shakespeare 4.1, 79-81). The second apparition implies that Macbeth cannot be harmed by someone born out of a woman’s womb. In a significant arrogant response to the three witches and the three apparitions, Macbeth is not concerned at all the threat of Macduff. However, Macbeth is indeed in great danger of Macduff and this simply irony if humorous how Macbeth is pompous. The second witch’s lines symbolizes Macduff untimely ripped from his mother’s womb, therefore he would not be fatal with his birth mother. As Macduff was not born directly from his mother’s womb, he obtains a great threat to Macbeth. However, Macbeth fails to acknowledge the presence of Macduff is this society. Macbeth replies to the second apparition, “Then live, Macduff; what need I fear of thee?” (Shakespeare 4.1, 82). Macbeth responses in a very sarcastic and cunning manner, as he continues to view himself as the most pertinent figure in his hierarchical structured society.      

Lastly, the third apparition appears to Macbeth in scene one. The third apparition tells Macbeth, “Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are. Macbeth shall never vanquished be until great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him” (Shakespeare 4.1, 90-94). This apparition explains to Macbeth that he should not worry about the people he proposes who will be against him. The apparitions also entails that Macbeth shall not be vanquished, or harmed, unless Birnam Wood is able to move. However, Birnam Wood is not able to move literally, but is able figuratively. This parallels the context in which Macbeth views the prophecies. Macbeth views the texts of the witches and apparitions very literally, and obtains no concern to their relevance and their effect to him. In contrast, the witches and apparitions are taunting Macbeth with their figurative speech, which Macbeth is unable to comprehend and decipher the meanings and intentions of these characters. 

2. How does Macbeth react to Macduff's departure? (use concrete details)

         Macbeth reacts to Macduff’s departure in a very inquisitive manner. Macbeth inquires Lennox, Saw you the Weird Sisters?” (Shakespeare 4.2, 137). Lennox replies to Macbeth that he has not seen the three witches. These lines in the scene indicate deceptiveness and a fine line between what is real and not in this society. One can infer if these prophecies and appearances of the witches are a figment portrayed through the mind of only Macbeth.

         Lennox tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth is outraged, that Macduff has fleed. Mabeth quotes in return, “The castle upon Macduff I will surprise, seize upon Fife, give to th’edge o’th’ swor his wife, his babes, and all the unfortunate souls that trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool; this deed I’ll do before this purpose cool” (Shakespeare 4.2, 150-154). Macbeth will take the matters into his own hands, and force Macduff out of his way. Macbeth quotes that he will calmly murder his wife and children, as an act to break down any threats of his to empower Macbeth.

3. What action is taken by Macduff and Malcolm in Act IV? (use concrete details)

         Malcom greets Macduff in Act Four to test the allegiance of Macduff. Malcom tells Macduff, “This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, was once thought honest. You have loved him well; he hath not touched you yet. I am young; but something you may deserve of him through me, and wisdom to offer a weak, poor, innocent lamb t’appease an angry god” (Shakespeare 4.3, 12-17). Malcom tries to degrade the appearance of Macbeth, because he is slightly unsure of Macduff’s allegiance. Malcom also quotes derogatory statements against himself to also test Macduff.

A few lines later Macduff replies, “Not in the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damned in evils to top Macbeth” (Shakespeare 4.3, 56-57). From this quote of Macduff, Malcom realizes that Macduff agree on the evils of Macbeth. Malcom’s tests served great purpose, as he is relieved to find another noble man who agrees to be against Macbeth. At this point, Malcom and Macduff determine to go against Macbeth in an alliance. Macduff questions, “Fit to govern? No, not to live. O nation miserable, with an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptered,…” (Shakespeare 4.3, 103-105). Macduff and Malcom both agree that Macbeth should not be the King of Scotland.

Malcom responds, “The devil to his fellow, and delight no less in truth than life. My first false speaking was this upon myself. What I am truly is thine and my poor country’s to command-whither indeed, before thy here-approach, Old Siward with ten thousand warlike men, already at a point, was setting forth” (Shakespeare 4.3,130-136). Malcom implies that King Edward will aid them both in creating the demise and opposition of Macbeth. Macduff agrees to Malcom’s soliloquy emotions towards the connection, as he adds such welcoming and unwelcome deeds are hard to compose and relinquish.       

Love, 

Allison