Act 4 Macbeth's Character Analysis
Act 4, Macbeth’s Character
Ritual the witches around the cauldron
The witches perform a ritual, which provide insight into Macbeth’s future. They circle the cauldron, chanting spells and adding bizarre ingredients to their stew. Macbeth calls upon the witches to answer his burning desire about his future.
Spectacle the Apparitions and the show of eight kings
The witches reveal the truth of their prophecies to him Macbeth. To answer his questions, they summon apparitions, each of which offers a prediction to relieve Macbeth’s fears. First, a floating head warns him to beware Macduff. Then a bloody child appears and tells him that “None of woman born shall harm Macbeth”. Next, a crowned child holding a tree tells him that he is safe until “Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill”. Finally, a procession of eight crowned kings walks by, the last carrying a mirror. Banquo’s ghost walks at the end of the line. From this, Macbeth would’ve felt very good and safe. He is reassured that no one can do harm to him but he also sees that Banquo’s descendants are wearing the crown. Macbeth is
Domestic family life Lady Macduff and her son
Lady Macduff and her sons live in the Macduff mansion. They lead a very proper life, with Lady Macduff angered at the departure of Macduff, calling him a coward. Their way of living is very different to Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. Lady Macduff is compassionate and loving towards her children, which is polar opposite to Lady Macbeth, who once said that she’d kill her own child.
Horrific violation the murders in Macduff’s castle
Lady Macduff and her sons are brutally murdered in their own house. They are murdered by the orders of Macbeth. This reveals to us that Macbeth is ruthless and acts on impulse as he sends out these orders the minute he hears of Macduff fleeing. It is also immoral to kill women let alone children proving that Macbeth is obviously not in his right mind.
Deception and moral complexity Malcolm’s testing of Macduff
Ritual the witches around the cauldron
The witches perform a ritual, which provide insight into Macbeth’s future. They circle the cauldron, chanting spells and adding bizarre ingredients to their stew. Macbeth calls upon the witches to answer his burning desire about his future.
Spectacle the Apparitions and the show of eight kings
The witches reveal the truth of their prophecies to him Macbeth. To answer his questions, they summon apparitions, each of which offers a prediction to relieve Macbeth’s fears. First, a floating head warns him to beware Macduff. Then a bloody child appears and tells him that “None of woman born shall harm Macbeth”. Next, a crowned child holding a tree tells him that he is safe until “Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill”. Finally, a procession of eight crowned kings walks by, the last carrying a mirror. Banquo’s ghost walks at the end of the line. From this, Macbeth would’ve felt very good and safe. He is reassured that no one can do harm to him but he also sees that Banquo’s descendants are wearing the crown. Macbeth is
Domestic family life Lady Macduff and her son
Lady Macduff and her sons live in the Macduff mansion. They lead a very proper life, with Lady Macduff angered at the departure of Macduff, calling him a coward. Their way of living is very different to Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. Lady Macduff is compassionate and loving towards her children, which is polar opposite to Lady Macbeth, who once said that she’d kill her own child.
Horrific violation the murders in Macduff’s castle
Lady Macduff and her sons are brutally murdered in their own house. They are murdered by the orders of Macbeth. This reveals to us that Macbeth is ruthless and acts on impulse as he sends out these orders the minute he hears of Macduff fleeing. It is also immoral to kill women let alone children proving that Macbeth is obviously not in his right mind.
Deception and moral complexity Malcolm’s testing of Macduff