Discussion Topic

An analysis of the evil characters and those leading the attack against Macbeth

Summary:

The evil characters in Macbeth include Macbeth himself, who becomes increasingly ruthless, and Lady Macbeth, who instigates his descent into tyranny. Leading the attack against Macbeth are characters like Macduff, who seeks revenge for his family's murder, and Malcolm, who aims to restore order and claim his rightful throne.

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Who are the evil characters in scene 4 of Macbeth?

Each of the five acts in the play has a fourth scene—except act 4, which only has three scenes—so I'm not positive which scene 4 you are referring to.

In act 1, scene 4, we learn about the death of the old Thane of Cawdor, a terrible and disloyal traitor to the king. He could be described as evil. However, Macbeth is also starting to consider what he might have to do to become king, especially after Duncan appoints his older son, Malcolm, as the Prince of Cumberland: his heir to the throne. We might say that we can see the seeds of evil beginning to germinate here.

In act 2, scene 4, the Thane of Ross converses with an unnamed old man about all of the strange things that have been happening since Duncan was murdered. When Macduff joins them, they discuss the king's two sons, Malcolm and

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joins them, they discuss the king's two sons, Malcolm andDonalbain, who are believed to have hired the chamberlains to murder their father, Duncan. Ross and Macduff might think of Duncan's sons as evil if they truly believe that the king's sons were responsible for his death.

In act 3, scene 4, we see the Macbeths' failed dinner party. In this scene, Macbeth is haunted by the ghost of Banquo, his best friend who he has recently had killed. If anyone is "evil" in this scene, it is Macbeth because he is the one deceiving his friends, and even his wife, pretending that he still expects Banquo to show up at the dinner when he knows full well that the man has been murdered. By the scene's end, he tells his wife, "We are yet but young in deed" (3.4.176). He means that they are going to have to keep committing crimes in order to hold on to their power and position. We might certainly see him as evil by now.

In act 5, scene 4, Malcolm leads his army toward Macbeth's castle. One of the Weird Sisters' prophecies, about Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane Hill, comes to fruition in this scene when Malcolm has his soldiers carry tree boughs in front of them to disguise their numbers. Macbeth is referred to here as "the tyrant," though he does not actually appear in the scene.

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Who are the four people leading the attack against Macbeth in act 5, scene 6?

In Shakespeare's play The Tragedy ofMacbeth, the four men who lead the army against Macbeth in Act V Scene VI are Macduff, Old Siward, Malcolm, and Young Siward.

Old Siward is a general in the English forces. In Act V, Scene II, readers learn from Menteith that Old Siward is Malcolm's uncle.

"The English power is near, led on by Malcolm,
His uncle Siward and the good Macduff."

In Act IV, Scene III, Malcolm tells Macduff about Old Siward's march with his impressive army:
"Whither indeed, before thy here-approach,
Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike men,
Already at a point, was setting forth."
Malcolm is the son of King Duncan and the rightful heir to the throne. He had fled Scotland under suspicion of murder when his father was killed.
Macduff is the Thane of Fife and is the one who eventually murders Macbeth. Macduff tests Malcolm to see whether he can tolerate him as a replacement to Macbeth before joining forces with him.

Young Siward is the son of Old Siward, the general, and is part of the army that comes against Macbeth. The way that they come against Macbeth in Act V, Scene VI, fulfills the prophecy from the third apparition that stated that Macbeth would not be defeated until Birnam Wood moved to Dunsinane. Macbeth believes this is impossible, so he gets overconfident and complacent, allowing the forces led by Malcolm, MacDuff, and Young and Old Siward to overtake him. Here is the prophecy from the third apparition from Act IV, Scene I:
"Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are. Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill Shall come against him."
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