Act 4 Scene 1 Flashcards
overview of act IV scene i
the witches assemble to meet macbeth, and promise to answer his questions. their magic apparitions comfort him at first - and then give cause for alarm
what does the scene open with?
- the witches casting a spell
- ‘double, double toil and trouble’
- reminds the audience of the evil intentions
- ‘double’ - hints at double meanings
- gruesome list of body parts the witches throw in - creates a dark and frightening tone
Who are the three apparitions and what do they represent?
1st Apparition: An armed head – warns Macbeth to beware Macduff.
2nd Apparition: A bloody child – tells Macbeth that ‘none of woman born’ shall harm him.
3rd Apparition: A crowned child with a tree – says Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane.
What is the significance of the fourth vision (Banquo’s descendants)?
- Shows a line of kings descending from Banquo, confirming the witches’ original prophecy.
- Macbeth is horrified that Banquo’s heirs will rule instead of his own children.
- Strengthens his paranoia and fuels his violent decisions.
Finish the quote: ‘Double, double toil and trouble…’
"’…fire burn and cauldron bubble.’”
‘Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble.’
- A famous incantation by the witches, reinforcing the supernatural theme.
- Suggests chaos, dark magic, and manipulation.
- Creates an eerie, unsettling atmosphere.
Finish the quote: ‘Something wicked…’
"’…this way comes.’”
‘Something wicked this way comes.’
- The witches refer to Macbeth as ‘wicked’, showing how much he has changed from the brave hero in Act 1
- Suggests that Macbeth is now fully evil, beyond redemption.
- Highlights the theme of fate and supernatural influence.
How do the Witches pretend to obey Macbeth?
- ‘Speak. /Demand. /We’ll answer’
- they trick him into asking for the apparitions by saying that he can talk to their masters - the Witches know that Macbeth’s biggest weakness is his ambition - they play on his lust for power
Macbeth’s language at the start of the scene
- confident
- commands - ‘Tell me’ and ‘Call ‘em’ to control the witches
- threatens them with ‘an eternal curse’ - he isn’t afraid of them
What do the apparitions symbolise?
threats to Macbeth
Symbolism of the armoured head which warns Macbeth about Macduff
- armoured head - symbolic of Macbeth’s decapitation
- symbolic of treachery and violence of the battle
Symbolism of the bloody child who tells Macbeth that no one born from a woman can harm him
- could represent Macduff, born by Caesarean section
Symbolism of the child wearing a crown and carrying a branch who tells Macbeth that he can’t be beaten until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill
- could represent Malcolm, the rightful heir
- the branch could represent Birnam Wood, but also the hope that Soctaldn might grow and flourish under Malcolm’s rule
Finish the quote: ‘Beware Macduff…’
"’…beware the Thane of Fife.’”
‘Beware Macduff; beware the Thane of Fife.’
- The first apparition warns Macbeth about Macduff.
- Macbeth sees this as confirmation that Macduff is a threat.
- Leads Macbeth to order the murder of Macduff’s family.
Finish the quote: ‘None of woman born…’
"’…shall harm Macbeth.’”
‘None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.’
- The second apparition gives Macbeth false confidence.
- Macbeth believes he is invincible, misunderstanding the prophecy.
- This overconfidence leads to his downfall.
Finish the quote: ‘Macbeth shall never vanquished be until…’
"’…Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.’”
‘Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.’
- The third apparition gives Macbeth a false sense of security.
- He thinks it is impossible for a forest to move.
- Leads him to dismiss real threats.
Finish the quote: ‘Shall Banquo’s issue ever…’
"’…reign in this kingdom?’”
‘Shall Banquo’s issue ever reign in this kingdom?’
”- Macbeth desperately asks if Banquo’s descendants will rule.
- Shows his obsession with securing his own dynasty.
- The witches’ vision confirms his worst fears.”
How does Macbeth take the Witches’ predictions?
- at face value - although he know that people who trust the Witches are ‘damned’
- he is desperate for them to give him good news to make him feel secure
Finish the quote: ‘The very firstlings of my heart…’
"’…shall be the firstlings of my hand.’”
‘The very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand.’
- Macbeth decides to act on impulse rather than hesitation.
- Marks his complete descent into tyranny.
- Leads directly to the massacre of Macduff’s family.
What does Macbeth plan to do at the end of the scene?
- He orders the murder of Macduff’s wife and children.
- Shows his increasing cruelty and paranoia.
- Marks a turning point where Macbeth no longer hesitates to commit evil.
What do the stage directions say as the apparitions leave?
- ‘Descends’
- suggests they are going back to hell
What is the significance of Act 4, Scene 1?
- Reinforces the theme of fate vs. free will.
- Shows how Macbeth is manipulated by the witches’ misleading prophecies.
- Marks his descent into complete tyranny, leading to his downfall.
How does this scene foreshadow Macbeth’s downfall?
- The apparitions mislead him into thinking he is invincible.
- His overconfidence blinds him to real threats.
- Banquo’s descendants in the vision suggest his reign will not last.
How does Shakespeare create an eerie atmosphere in this scene?
- The witches’ chants and spells create a supernatural mood.
- The use of disturbing imagery (e.g., ‘finger of birth-strangled babe’).
- The apparitions’ cryptic messages build suspense and tension.
the Witches’ deception of Macbeth
- although the witches haven’t lied, they have deliberately misled macbeth
- another example of their deception
what does Macbeth want to do?
- he wants to kill Macduff’s family
- he is very evil and paranoid
- he is willing to kill anyone associated with his enemy, even if they do not pose as a threat
- macbeth doesn’t even discuss the murders with lady macbeth anymore - he is driven solely by his own ambition and trusts no one.
