act 4 reading notes

1.       Scene 1

a.       Witches three surround a boiling cauldron; Hecatate is present and is approving of their work.

b.      They add occult strange items to the pot, Strange emphasis on the trinity of signs. Grotesque items such as human extremities and organs, as well as a baby.

c.       Macbeth appears.

1.       Wonders if the witches can divulge the meaning of the prophecy.

2.       First apparition summoned is a head. It floats out to warn Macbeth of Macduff, to which Macbeth is not surprised.

3.       The second is a bloody child, He/She states Macbeth has no need to fear the bloody retributions of any woman.

4.       The third apparition is of a child wearing a crown and holding a tree (?). He states Macbeth need not worry until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. Possibly geographic regions. Sketchy warning at best.

5.       Finally, a lineage of kings with the ghost of Banquo appear, they were not supposed to, so Macbeth is taken aback and in anguish.

d.      Macbeth asks the witches the meaning of the final vision, they cackle and dance as to “lift his spirits” and vanish.

e.      Lennox appears, and makes it clear the weird sisters were only visible to Macbeth, Macbeth then curses their spontaneity. It is learned that Macduff flees to England, so Macbeth vows to kill him.

2.       Scene 2

a.       Lady Macduff and her child are talking to Ross.

1.       It is clear Lady Macduff finds her husband’s fleeing to be inopportune, and hazardous to the family.

2.       Feels betrayed, as if Macduff left them behind. She tells her children that he is dead.

3.       The children perceive otherwise, and when confronted by murderers, a child of Macduff is killed. (protecting his families honor?)

b.      In shock and fear, Lady Macduff flees from the murderers screaming there is a murder afoot.

c.       Exunt

3.       Scene 3

a.       Macduff and Malcom’s bonding moments.

1.       Malcom debates Macduff’s honesty, he fears he was sent by Macbeth.

2.       Macduff understands, and they list off their loyalties and qualifications, however what convinces Malcom at the end is Macduff’s sorrow for the destroyed country Macbeth has left in his reign.

3.       Malcom States he is no candidate for the throne.

b.      A doctor enters.

1.       He states there is a group of individuals with the detriment of evil souls.

c.       Ross enters as a messenger.

1.       He states Scotland is in a state of peril and that they should return to right the wrong. But then Duff asks how his family is. Ross originally says they live and are well, despite the king’s aggressions.

2.       After a while of talking, Macduff agrees to return in force to free the country.

3.       Ross buckles and admits Macduff’s family is dead. Duff is anguished.

d.      Malcom pleads he turn the anguish into hate for Macbeth.