Act 4, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis
Act 4, Scene 1
In the middle of a cavern is a boiling cauldron. The three witches enter to the sound of thunder. They brew a potion a with a variety of ingredients, first adding parts of animals (“Eye of newt and toe of frog”), then of people (“Nose of Turk and Tartar’s lips”). Hecate joins them briefly and commends them for their work, but she disappears before Macbeth enters.
Macbeth demands that the witches answer the questions he is about to ask. The witches ask whether he would prefer to hear the answers from them or from their masters, and Macbeth chooses the latter. The witches summon up three horrible apparitions. The first, a head wearing a helmet, tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff. The second, a bloody child, tells him that “none of woman born” can harm him. The third, a crowned child with a tree in his hand, says that he will never be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.
Macbeth is pleased with these pronouncements, which seem to suggest that he is invincible. He then asks whether Banquo’s descendants will ever be kings. A final apparition shows eight kings, the last of them holding a mirror, followed by the ghost of Banquo. The apparition vanishes and so do the witches, leaving Macbeth alone. Lennox enters, and Macbeth asks if he saw the witches. Lennox did not. He brings news that Macduff has fled to England. Even though he knows Macduff isn’t present, Macbeth decides to attack Macduff’s castle and kill his wife and children.
Analysis
The hideous ingredients in the witches’ brew and the macabre nature of the apparitions they summon emphasize to the audience just how unwisely Macbeth has chosen his associates. He, however, is cheered by the new predictions that he can only be killed by a man not born of a woman and that he will only be vanquished when Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane—both of which appear impossible to Macbeth. The only apparition that perturbs him is the one that confirms the witches’ original prophecy that Banquo will found a royal dynasty. It is often said that the mirror held by the line of kings in this scene was used to show King James I his own reflection when the play was performed before him, the implication being that he is a descendent of Banquo and a rightful king. However, the mirror may also have been used to reflect the eight kings on the stage, creating the visual illusion of a long line of kings.
Expert Q&A
What does "sow's blood that hath eaten her nine farrow" mean in Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth?
"Sow's blood that hath eaten her nine farrow" in Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth refers to the blood of a female pig that has cannibalized her offspring. The witches use this in their potion to signify the vile and evil nature of their magic, drawing on ancient pagan rituals and infanticide to emphasize the dark, terrible practices involved.
What is the irony of the witches' statement "Something wicked this way comes" in Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth?
The irony in the witches' statement, "Something wicked this way comes," in Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth, lies in the witches' own wickedness. They, being the epitome of evil, label Macbeth as wicked, oblivious to their role in inciting his dark ambitions. The witches, despite their inherent malevolence, ironically point out Macbeth's wickedness, which was largely a product of their manipulative prophecies.
In Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth, what do "blaspheming" and "chaudron" mean?
In Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth, "blaspheming" means to speak profanely about God or sacred things, often referring to Jews in Shakespeare's time for rejecting Christ. "Chaudron" refers to the entrails or guts of an animal, in this case, a tiger, used by the witches for their potion.
What four things do the witches show Macbeth in act 4, scene 1 of Macbeth and what does each say?
In Act 4, Scene 1, the witches show Macbeth four apparitions: an armed head warning him to beware Macduff; a bloody child stating that no man born of a woman will harm him; a crowned child holding a tree, suggesting he is safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane; and a line of eight kings, with Banquo's ghost, indicating Banquo's descendants will rule. These visions manipulate Macbeth's sense of security and fate.
What does the quote "Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs" from Macbeth Act 4, Scene 1 mean?
The quote "Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs" from Macbeth Act 4, Scene 1 expresses Macbeth's pain and discomfort upon seeing the ghost of Banquo and his descendants as future kings. This vision, presented by the witches, reminds Macbeth of his precarious hold on the throne and his tendency to misinterpret prophecies to fit his desires.
In Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth, how do alliteration and onomatopoeia affect the witches' language rhythm?
In Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth, alliteration and onomatopoeia enhance the witches' language rhythm by creating a fast-paced and rhythmic speech. Alliteration examples include "Harpier cries, 'Tis time, 'tis time,'" and onomatopoeia examples are "mewed," "whined," and "cries." Additionally, the trochaic tetrameter and end rhyme further accelerate the pace, emphasizing the supernatural and eerie atmosphere.
How do prophecies encourage false security in Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth?
In Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth, the prophecies foster a false sense of security in Macbeth. The warning about Macduff confirms his fears, making him feel secure in eliminating a threat. The prophecy that "none of woman born" can harm him leads him to underestimate Macduff, who was born via cesarean. Lastly, the prediction that he remains safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill seems impossible, reinforcing his misguided confidence in his invincibility.
What news does Lennox bring to Macbeth in Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth, and how does Macbeth react?
In Act 4, Scene 1, Lennox informs Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth, already influenced by the witches' prophecies, reacts by deciding to take immediate action against Macduff's family. This marks a significant descent into evil for Macbeth, who moves from contemplating fate to actively pursuing a violent course, planning the murder of Macduff's wife and children as retribution, highlighting his moral corruption.
In Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 1, what is the significance of the third apparition's tree?
The third apparition in Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth holds a tree, symbolizing Birnam Wood, and foretells that Macbeth will remain invincible until Birnam Wood approaches Dunsinane Hill. This prophecy gives Macbeth false confidence, as he interprets it literally, believing it impossible. However, the witches use this to manipulate him, leading to his eventual downfall when the prophecy comes true in an unexpected way, highlighting the deceptive nature of the apparitions' predictions.
What happens in Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth?
In Act 4, Scene 1, Macbeth consults the witches to learn about his future. They conjure visions: an "Armed Head" warns him of Macduff; a "bloody child" says no one born of a woman will harm him; and a "Child Crowned" assures his safety until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane. Macbeth is disturbed by a vision of Banquo's lineage of kings. He resolves to kill Macduff's family and questions the witches' trustworthiness.
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