Act 4

• Key words to describe Macbeth in act 4

  Tyrannical demeanour, imperatives, foreshadowing, ambiguousness, ephemeral sense of security, invincibility, excessive blood thirst, heinous acts.
• Lady Macduff and her son are killed

  Their murders are emblematic of Macbeth's excessive bloodthirst - they presented no threat yet he is now on an unstoppable trajectory of murder. They are symbols of innocence - the dialogue between Lady Macduff and her son is intimate, showing the natural maternal bond. She also speaks in the semantic field of birds, comparing herself to a "diminutive wren", which characterises them as prey, thus securing Macbeth within the role of a predator.
• Lady Macduff and her Son are killed

  This is the first murder to happen on stage, suggesting Macbeth no longer cares for his reputation, and takes pride in his heinous acts he has committed himself to evil. Conversely, it is intentional that Macbeth does not carry out the murder himself, as it ensures he is still somewhat redeemable from the epitome of evil. This is vital in constructing the play as a tragedy as a tragic hero most be able to elicit some sympathy from the audience, despite their flaws.
• Comparison

  Macbeth's reaction to the Witches is wholly selfish - in act 1 when hearing of prophecies that he would be king he refers to them as "imperfect speakers", yet as they portray Banquo's descendants as kings seen in the stage directions "enter a show of eight kings... Banquo's ghost following" he is angered and insults them as "filthy hags". It appears Macbeth only hears what appeals to him and rejects information he doesn't like.
• Seeking out the supernatural

  Macbeth's hubris is explicit, as when he enters he speaks with imperative phrases such as "tell me" and "call 'em", showing he is driven by greed and hunger for power.

  This is the first time Macbeth has intentionally encountered the witches, reinforcing his abandonment of resisting evil - he no longer can pretend to himself to be scrupulous (moral), he now embraces his new tyrannical demeanour.

  He threatens the witches with an "eternal curse", which is ironic as we have seen their overt supernatural power - he believes he can supersede this.
• Seeking out the supernatural 2


  The witches summon three apparitions which are manifestations of the threats Macbeth faces:

  • "An armed head" warns Macbeth of Macduff - it is emblematic of the violence of battle and foreshadows Macbeth's decapitation.
  • "A bloody child" serves to represent Macduff who was born by caesarean section.
  • "A child crowned with a tree in his hand" which could represent the rightful heir to the throne, Malcolm The tree could perhaps be emblematic of Birnam wood, where Macbeth lives, or the natural imagery could suggest that Scotland would flourish under Malcolm's rule.
• Seeking out the supernatural 3

  Each of the prophecies are equivocal - the second is particularly pertinent (important) in revealing "none of women born shall harm Macbeth", which is ambiguous, and Macbeth's hubris denies him from being able to read into their deception.

  It gives Macbeth an ephemeral (temporary) sense of security and invincibility, yet he still plots to kill Macduff - "thou shalt not live" - exposing how he is now driven by a thirst for blood and violence rather than fear or ambition.