Act 4 Scene 1 Flashcards

1
Q

overview of act IV scene i

A

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

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2
Q

what does the scene open with?

A
  • 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
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3
Q

Who are the three apparitions and what do they represent?

A

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.

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4
Q

What is the significance of the fourth vision (Banquo’s descendants)?

A
  • 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.
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5
Q

Finish the quote: ‘Double, double toil and trouble…’

A

"’…fire burn and cauldron bubble.’”

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6
Q

‘Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble.’

A
  • A famous incantation by the witches, reinforcing the supernatural theme.
  • Suggests chaos, dark magic, and manipulation.
  • Creates an eerie, unsettling atmosphere.
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7
Q

Finish the quote: ‘Something wicked…’

A

"’…this way comes.’”

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8
Q

‘Something wicked this way comes.’

A
  • 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.
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9
Q

How do the Witches pretend to obey Macbeth?

A
  • ‘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
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10
Q

Macbeth’s language at the start of the scene

A
  • confident
  • commands - ‘Tell me’ and ‘Call ‘em’ to control the witches
  • threatens them with ‘an eternal curse’ - he isn’t afraid of them
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11
Q

What do the apparitions symbolise?

A

threats to Macbeth

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12
Q

Symbolism of the armoured head which warns Macbeth about Macduff

A
  • armoured head - symbolic of Macbeth’s decapitation
  • symbolic of treachery and violence of the battle
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13
Q

Symbolism of the bloody child who tells Macbeth that no one born from a woman can harm him

A
  • could represent Macduff, born by Caesarean section
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14
Q

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

A
  • 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
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15
Q

Finish the quote: ‘Beware Macduff…’

A

"’…beware the Thane of Fife.’”

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16
Q

‘Beware Macduff; beware the Thane of Fife.’

A
  • 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.
17
Q

Finish the quote: ‘None of woman born…’

A

"’…shall harm Macbeth.’”

18
Q

‘None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.’

A
  • The second apparition gives Macbeth false confidence.
  • Macbeth believes he is invincible, misunderstanding the prophecy.
  • This overconfidence leads to his downfall.
19
Q

Finish the quote: ‘Macbeth shall never vanquished be until…’

A

"’…Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.’”

20
Q

‘Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.’

A
  • 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.
21
Q

Finish the quote: ‘Shall Banquo’s issue ever…’

A

"’…reign in this kingdom?’”

22
Q

‘Shall Banquo’s issue ever reign in this kingdom?’

A

”- Macbeth desperately asks if Banquo’s descendants will rule.
- Shows his obsession with securing his own dynasty.
- The witches’ vision confirms his worst fears.”

23
Q

How does Macbeth take the Witches’ predictions?

A
  • 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
24
Q

Finish the quote: ‘The very firstlings of my heart…’

A

"’…shall be the firstlings of my hand.’”

25
'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.
26
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.
27
What do the stage directions say as the apparitions leave?
- 'Descends' - suggests they are going back to hell
28
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.
29
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.
30
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.
31
the Witches' deception of Macbeth
- although the witches haven't lied, they have deliberately misled macbeth - another example of their deception
32
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.