Macbeth- Quotes Act Four Flashcards
the witches’ demonic chant highlights the dual meanings and contradictions that appear throughout the play
“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble”
the witches refer to Macbeth as subhuman and evil,
contrasting with others’ impressions of him as heroic and noble in Act 1 – he is now closely
connected to their world of evil and corruption
“Something wicked this way comes”
– a “bloody child” delivers the second
prophecy which suggests Macbeth shall never be defeated as all humankind are birthed by
women. This fills Macbeth with overconfidence and a sense of invincibility
“none of woman born shall harm Macbeth”
– a crowned child clutching a tree branch assures Macbeth he will never be defeated as tress being able to move seems like an impossible occurrence (they are firmly rooted in the ground)
“Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane hill shall
come against him”
Macbeth’s obsession with who will succeed him is answered when he is shown a line of eight kings, follows by the “blood-boltered Banquo”. This vision causes the childless Macbeth great anguish as it confirms his greatest fear – he has sacrificed everything for the crown but it is destined not to remain in his family.
“Thy crown does sear mine eye-balls”
Macbeth decides that he will massacre Macduff’s family – Macbeth has become monstrous, inhuman and completely immoral at this point in the play
“give to the edge of the sword his wife, his babes”
Lady Macduff elicits the sympathy of the
audience as she is innocent and vulnerable
“Whither should I fly? I have done no harm.”
upon hearing Malcolm’s lies about the type of ruler he would be, Macduff cries out in despair for his beloved country, showing he is a true patriot, he tells Malcolm he is not only not “fit to govern” but “to live”
“O Scotland, Scotland!”
Ross tells Malcolm of the massacre of his family
“Your castle is surprised; your wife and babes savagely slaughtered”
Malcolm urges Macduff to turn his grief to anger and avenge his family
“Let’s make us medicines of our great revenge”
Malcolm feel he has heaven in his side in his conflict with Macbeth – the battle to come is one between good and evil
“Macbeth is ripe for shaking, and the powers above put on their instruments”
