Act IV

 The three witches prepare a potion in a boiling kettle.  Macbeth arrives demanding to know his future, the witches then raise three apparitions.

 The first apparition is a head the tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff.  The second apparition is a bloody child that assures Macbeth that he will never be harmed by anyone born of a woman.  The third apparition tells him that he will never be defeated until the trees of Birnam Wood move toward his castle at Dunsinane.

 After hearing the three apparitions Macbeth asks about Banquo’s sons.  A pantomime (parade) of eight kings come before his vision. All are men ending with the current Stuart king, James I.

 Mary Queen of Scots is left out of the pantomime.  Remember, James the I of England [VI of Scotland] sided with Elizabeth I against his mother. She was executed in This deliberate omission was a political move by Shakespeare not to include King James I’s mother in the procession.  Pictured here is Mary Queen of Scots and King James I (baby). Nice kid, eh?

 Ross visits Lady Macduff to assure her of her husband’s wisdom and courage.  Lady Macduff cannot be comforted, believing that he left out of fear.

 After Ross leaves, she tells her son that his father is a traitor and is now dead.  A messenger warns them to flee, but it is too late. They are murdered by Macbeth’s thugs.

 Macduff urges Malcolm to join him in an invasion of Scotland, where the people suffer under Macbeth’s harsh rule.  Malcolm is uncertain of Macduff’s intent and motives, he tests him to see what kind of King Macduff would support.  Once he is convinced of Macduff’s honesty, Malcolm tells him that he has ten-thousand soldiers ready to launch an attack.

 Ross arrives to tell them that some revolts against Macbeth have already begun.  Reluctantly, Ross tells Macduff about the murder of his family.  Wild with grief, Macduff vows to confront Macbeth and avenge the murders.

 A Motif is a significant phrase, description, or image that is repeated throughout a literary work.  Macbeth contains several motifs that relate to the theme of overreaching ambition. What are repeated motifs throughout the play?

 Violent storms  Ill-fitting clothing  Unnatural occurrences-like the owl killing the falcon.  Blood  Darkness or night