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Macbeth. Act IV. Act IV, scene i-A cave—in the middle, a boiling cauldron. The three witches prepare a potion in a boiling kettle. Macbeth arrives demanding to know his future, the witches then raise three apparitions. The Three Apparitions.
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Macbeth Act IV
Act IV, scene i-A cave—in the middle, a boiling cauldron. The three witches prepare a potion in a boiling kettle. Macbeth arrives demanding to know his future, the witches then raise three apparitions.
The Three Apparitions The first apparition is a head the tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff. The second apparition is a bloody child that assures Macbeth that he will never be harmed by anyone born of a woman. The third apparition tells him that he will never be defeated until the trees of Birnam Wood move toward his castle at Dunsinane.
Act IV, scene I continued… After hearing the three apparitions Macbeth asks about Banquo’s sons. A pantomime (parade) of eight kings come before his vision. All are men ending with the current Stuart king, James I.
Act IV, scene I continued… Mary Queen of Scots is left out of the pantomime. Remember, James the I of England [VI of Scotland] sided with Elizabeth I against his mother. She was executed in 1587. This deliberate omission was a political move by Shakespeare not to include King James I’s mother in the procession. Pictured here is Mary Queen of Scots and King James I (baby). Nice kid, eh?
Act IV, scene ii-Macduff’s castle at Fife Ross visits Lady Macduff to assure her of her husband’s wisdom and courage. Lady Macduff cannot be comforted, believing that he left out of fear.
Act IV, scene ii—continued After Ross leaves, she tells her son that his father is a traitor and is now dead. A messenger warns them to flee, but it is too late. They are murdered by Macbeth’s thugs.
Act IV, scene iii-England Before King Edward the Confessor’s palace. Macduff urges Malcolm to join him in an invasion of Scotland, where the people suffer under Macbeth’s harsh rule. Malcolm is uncertain of Macduff’s intent and motives, he tests him to see what kind of King Macduff would support. Once he is convinced of Macduff’s honesty, Malcolm tells him that he has ten-thousand soldiers ready to launch an attack.
Act IV, scene iii-continued… Ross arrives to tell them that some revolts against Macbeth have already begun. Reluctantly, Ross tells Macduff about the murder of his family. Wild with grief, Macduff vows to confront Macbeth and avenge the murders.
Motif A Motif is a significant phrase, description, or image that is repeated throughout a literary work. Macbeth contains several motifs that relate to the theme of overreaching ambition. What are repeated motifs throughout the play?
Motif—repeated images Violent storms Ill-fitting clothing Unnatural occurrences-like the owl killing the falcon. Blood Darkness or night
