Macbeth Group

Question:


fannyy90
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In Act 4, explain the paradox of the apparitions.

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Posted by fannyy90 on Friday October 26, 2007 at 7:24 PM and tagged with act 4, apparitions, macbeth, paradox.

Answers:


  1. bmadnick Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The paradox of the apparitions occurs in how Macbeth views what they show him and how the audience views their predictions. Macbeth needs to quell his fears that doom is upon him, so he takes the visions at face value. To the audience, the apparitions are symbols that foreshadow how the prophecies will be fulfilled. The armored head suggests war or rebellion, while the bloody child obscurely refers to Macduff's cesarean birth. Macbeth takes the comment at face value, and therein lies the irony. The crowned child is Malcolm and refers to the tree branches his soldiers will carry from Birnam Wood. The procession of kings reveals the future line of kings, all descended from Banquo.

    Macbeth believes only what he feels will benefit him. He can no longer make rational judgments, and Hecate knows this. The contradictory nature of the apparitions will go right over Macbeth's head, and he will take from the apparitions only what he wants.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth

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    Posted by bmadnick on Saturday October 27, 2007 at 8:49 AM