Macbeth act 4 summary

Here is a more detailed look at what happens in each scene of Macbeth, to help you look at the structure of the play and interrogate it.

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Macbeth act 4 summary

Hecate appears, they sing all together, and Hecate leaves. Macbeth then enters, demanding answers to his pressing questions about the future. The witches complete their magic spell and summon forth a series of apparitions. The first is an armed head that warns Macbeth to beware the Thane of Fife Macduff. This news bolsters Macbeth spirits. This cheers Macbeth even more, since he knows that nothing can move a forest. Macbeth proceeds to ask his last question: will Banquo's children ever rule Scotland? The cauldron sinks and a strange sound is heard. The witches now show Macbeth a procession of kings, the eighth of whom holds a mirror in his hand, followed by Banquo. As Banquo points at this line of kings, Macbeth realizes that they are indeed his family line. After the witches dance and disappear, Lennox enters with the news that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth resolves that he will henceforth act immediately on his ambitions: the first step will be to seize Fife and kill Macduff's wife and children.

Why do you think Shakespeare ends the act here? Read a translation Read a translation of Act 4, Scene 2. The climax to Macbeth's reaction occurs in the line "What!

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Macbeth returns to the Weird Sisters and boldly demands to be shown a series of apparitions that tell his future. The first apparition is the disembodied head of a warrior who seems to warn Macbeth of a bloody revenge at the hands of Macduff. The second is a blood-covered child who comforts Macbeth with the news that he cannot be killed by any man "of woman born. Encouraged by the news of such impossibilities, Macbeth asks, "Shall Banquo's issue ever reign in this kingdom? All this serves only to enrage Macbeth, who, trusting in his own pride, reveals in an aside to the audience his determination to slaughter the family of Macduff. This scene can be roughly divided into three: the Witches' casting of a spell; the supernatural answers to Macbeth's demands; and Macbeth's return to the cold world of political and social reality. The scene's structure deliberately recalls the opening scenes of the play. Once more, Macbeth's destiny is in question. Once more, he receives three prophecies. Once more, he is left on his own to decide how best to interpret those prophecies.

Macbeth act 4 summary

Here is a more detailed look at what happens in each scene of Macbeth, to help you look at the structure of the play and interrogate it. These are important character developments, or key questions that an acting company might ask when they first go through the play together at the start of rehearsal. If you work through these as you go, they will help you to make sense of the play as well as starting to look at the text itself. Notice what the Captain and Ross say about Macbeth before we meet him.

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Read a translation Read a translation of Act 4, Scene 2. Password Your password must: Be between characters. Sign up and get instant access to creating and saving your own notes as you read. What impression does this give of him as a man? After the witches dance and disappear, Lennox enters with the news that Macduff has fled to England. Help us by taking a short survey — it will only take a few minutes and will help us make the Shakespeare Learning Zone even better for everyone. Did Macbeth always want to be king? Your PLUS subscription has expired. Then, breaking down, Ross confesses to Macduff that Macbeth has murdered his wife and children. Go ad-free AND get instant access to grade-boosting study tools! What convinces Macbeth that he is invincible over Macduff's army? He carries a tree, just as his soldiers will later carry tree branches from Birnam Wood to Dunsinane.

Hecate appears, they sing all together, and Hecate leaves. Macbeth then enters, demanding answers to his pressing questions about the future.

Popular pages: Macbeth. What news took the wind out of Macbeth's invincibility? The witches are vicious and have planned a horrible death for a sailor that offended them. In the procession of kings, Macbeth also notes that some carry "twofold balls and treble scepters"—as if even the signs of their power have been doubled. Lennox enters. How do you think suspicions are growing among the thanes? Sign in. SparkNotes Plus. Send password reset email. Already have an account? As quickly as they arrive, they disappear. Understand every line of Macbeth.