Act 4 Scene 1

PLOT
The witches cast a spell around a cauldron and Hecate congratulates them. Macbeth
visits the witches and they show him three apparitions. Firstly, an armed head
appears saying that Macbeth should ‘beware Macduff’. Secondly, a bloody child
appears, saying ‘none of woman born shall harm Macbeth’. Thirdly, a crowned child
holding a tree appears, saying that he will never be defeated ‘until Great Birnam
Wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him’. Macbeth is reassured, but asks
if Banquo’s descendants will ever reign. The witches advise against his question, but
he demands that they answer. An apparition of eight kings appears following
Banquo’s ghost. Macbeth is terrified and angry, but the witches disappear. Lennox
arrives with word that Macduff has fled to England. Privately, Macbeth vows to kill all
of Macduff’s family including ’his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace
him in his line’

SUMMARY
In a dark cavern, a bubbling cauldron hisses and spits, and the three
witches suddenly appear onstage. They circle the cauldron, chanting spells and
adding bizarre ingredients to their stew—“eye of newt and toe of frog, / Wool of bat
and tongue of dog” (4.1.14–15). Hecate materializes and compliments the witches
on their work. One of the witches then chants: “By the pricking of my thumbs, /
Something wicked this way comes” (4.1.61–62).
In fulfillment of the witch’s prediction, Macbeth enters. He asks the
witches to reveal the truth of their prophecies to him. To answer his
questions, they summon horrible apparitions, each of which offers a
prediction to allay Macbeth’s fears. First, a floating head warns him to
beware Macduff; Macbeth says that he has already guessed as much.
Then a bloody child appears and tells him that “none of woman born /
shall harm Macbeth” (4.1.96–97). Next, a crowned child holding a tree
tells him that he is safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill.
Finally, a procession of eight crowned kings walks by, the last carrying a
mirror. Banquo’s ghost walks at the end of the line. Macbeth demands to
know the meaning of this final vision, but the witches perform a mad
dance and then vanish. Lennox enters and tells Macbeth that Macduff has
fled to England. Macbeth resolves to send murderers to capture Macduff’s
castle and to kill Macduff’s wife and children.

Summary
In this scene, Macbeth goes to meet the witches again to learn how he
can remain the King of Scotland securely. The witches perform an evil
ritual, mixing together a foul broth in a cauldron with gross ingredients
like toad venom, snake fillets, dog tongues, and even a finger from a
strangled baby

As the witches chant and dance around the boiling cauldron, they
summon three apparitions (visions) to appear before Macbeth. The first
apparition is an armed head that warns Macbeth to beware of Macduff.
The second is a bloody child that tells Macbeth that no man born of
woman can harm him. The third apparition, a child wearing a crown and
holding a tree branch, says Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnam
Wood moves to fight him at Dunsinane Hill

These prophecies give Macbeth a false sense of overconfidence, making

him think he is invincible and his reign as king is secure. However, the
witches then show Macbeth a disturbing vision of a line of eight kings, the
last carrying a mirror reflecting more kings all descendants of Banquo,
Macbeth's former friend whom he had murdered

This vision shakes Macbeth, making him realise that, dedupite the
witches' assurances, his reign will be short-lived and end violently. In
anger, Macbeth demands answers from the witches about Banquo's
descendants becoming kings, but they dismiss him cruelly

As the witches depart, Macbeth learns that Macduff has fled to England.
Immediately, Macbeth resolves to act on the witches' warning by brutally
murdering Macduff's entire family to eliminate any threat to his power
Consumed by evil ambition from the witches' deceptions, Macbeth
willingly embarks on more violence and bloopshed.

Literary Devices
Foreshadowing:“By the pricking of my thumbs,/ Something
wicked this way comes./ Whoever knocks!” (Act 4, sc. 1, lines
44-47).
Simile:“Like elves and fairies in a ring,
Enchanting all that you put in." ( Act 4, sc. 1, lines 42-42)
Rhyme:"Round about the cauldron go;
In the poison'd entrails throw." ( Act 4, sc.1 ,
lines 4-5)
Alliteration:"Ditch-deliver'd by a drab," ( Act 4, sc.1 , line 30)
Personification:"Though you untie the winds and let them fight"
( Act 4, sc.1, line 51)
Imagery:"Sliver'd in the moon's eclipse" (Act 4, sc.1, line 28)
Onomatopoeia:"Mew'd" and "Whin'd" (Act 4, sc. 1 , line 1and 2)

Analysis
This scene is very important in it’s own right, as well as significant to
both plot development and character development. Meeting the witches
for the first time creates another antagonist of a sort, being that they are
the literal temptresses. We see them as sisters, parts of a whole instead
of simply separate characters. They also represent a pagan set of values
and principals, being more amoral than other characters in the play
(aside from Lady Macbeth herself).
The witches develop Macbeth in such a way that he now is able to enact
immoral or traditionally ‘evil’ deeds himself, instead of due to the
coercion of others. While they do tempt him to a more evil way, they may
not even be truly evil themselves. They cast ‘spells’ and create potions,
but that in no way is the essence of evil.
In this scene, we see something defined as witchcraft, a very evil and
feared thing during that time period. While then, the very act of the
witches doing that would have been construed as evil, now we do not
see it as such. Now, it is just another action, and when we look at the
witches’ words, they are not necessarily evil or even really malicious.
They are just chanting slightly non-sensical combinations of words,
making their cauldron bubble and boil to create a potion.
We do learn about the ‘craft’ of the witches, which is an interesting thing
to bring up. The emphasis placed on that certainly implies, without even
having to read ahead, that there will be some of their potions used later
on in the play. When Macbeth enters immediately after they finish their
incantation, it is evident that he is going to be the one employing their
help.
Although he is asking their advice and knowledge, the very fact that he
came to see them shows that he is now acting of his own volition, and is
prepared to go through some less savory means to get what he wants.
This does show us a lot about Macbeth and what he may later do in the
play.
 .

Original

Translation

A cavern. In the middle, a boiling cauldron. Thunder. The three WITCHES enter.
A cavern. In the middle, a boiling cauldron. Thunder sounds. The three WITCHES
enter.
FIRST WITCH
Thrice the brinded cat hath mewed.
FIRST WITCH
The striped cat has meowed three times.
SECOND WITCH
Thrice, and once the hedge-pig whined.
SECOND WITCH
Three times. And the hedgehog has whined once.
THIRD WITCH
Harpier cries, “‘Tis time, ’tis time.”
THIRD WITCH
My familiar spirit Harpier cries out: “It’s time, it’s time!”
FIRST WITCH
Round about the cauldron go,5In the poisoned entrails throw.Toad, that under cold
stoneDays and nights has thirty-oneSweltered venom sleeping got,Boil thou first i’ th’
charmèd pot.
FIRST WITCH
Dance around the cauldron, and throw in the poisoned entrails. This toad—which
has slept under a cold rock, sweating venom for thirty-one days—will be the first to
boil in this magic cauldron.
ALL
10Double, double toil and trouble,Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
ALL
Double, double toil and trouble. Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
SECOND WITCH
Fillet of a fenny snake,In the cauldron boil and bake.Eye of newt and toe of
frog,15Wool of bat and tongue of dog,Adder’s fork and blind-worm’s sting,Lizard’s
leg and owlet’s wing,For a charm of powerful trouble,Like a hell-broth boil and
bubble.
SECOND WITCH
A fillet of swamp snake to boil and bake in the cauldron. And a newt’s eye; a frog’s
toe; a bat's fur; a dog's tongue; an adder's forked tongue; a blindworm's venomous
tongue; a lizard's leg; and an owl's wing. For a charm of powerful trouble, boil and
bubble like a broth of hell.
ALL
20Double, double toil and trouble,Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
ALL
Double, double toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
THIRD WITCH
Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf,Witches’ mummy, maw and gulfOf the ravined salt-sea
shark,25Root of hemlock digged i’ th’ dark,Liver of blaspheming Jew,Gall of goat and
slips of yewSlivered in the moon’s eclipse,Nose of Turk and Tartar’s lips,30Finger of
birth-strangled babeDitch-delivered by a drab,Make the gruel thick and slab.Add
thereto a tiger’s chaudron,For the ingredients of our cauldron.
THIRD WITCH
A dragon's scale; a wolf's tooth; a mummified witch; a ravenous shark's gullet and
stomach; a root of hemlock dug up in the dark; a blaspheming Jew's liver; a goat’s
gallbladder; twigs of yew taken during a lunar eclipse; a Turk’s nose; a Tartar’s lips;
and the finger of a baby strangled just after a prostitute gave birth to it in a
ditch. Make this potion sticky and thick. And now let’s add a tiger's entrails to the
ingredients in our cauldron.
ALL
35Double, double toil and trouble,Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
ALL
Double, double toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
SECOND WITCH
Cool it with a baboon’s blood,Then the charm is firm and good.
SECOND WITCH
We’ll cool the mixture with a baboon’s blood. Then the charm will be done.
HECATE enters with three other WITCHES.
HECATE enters with three other WITCHES.
HECATE
Oh well done! I commend your pains,40And every one shall share i’ th’ gains .And
now about the cauldron sing,Like elves and fairies in a ring,Enchanting all that you
put in.
HECATE
Well done! I praise your work, and every one of you will share the rewards. Now,
come sing around the cauldron in a ring like elves and fairies, enchanting everything
you put in.
Music plays. The six WITCHES sing a song called “Black Spirits.” HECATE exits.
Music plays. The six WITCHES sing a song called “Black Spirits.” HECATE exits.
SECOND WITCH
By the pricking of my thumbs,45Something wicked this way comes.Open,
locks,Whoever knocks.
SECOND WITCH
I can tell by the tingling in my thumbs: something wicked is coming. Open the doors
for whoever is knocking.
MACBETH enters.
MACBETH enters.
MACBETH
How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags?What is ’t you do?
MACBETH
What’s going on here, you secret, dark, midnight hags? What is it that you’re doing
here?
ALL
50A deed without a name.
ALL
Something that has no name.
MACBETH
I conjure you by that which you profess—Howe’er you come to know it—answer
me.Though you untie the winds and let them fightAgainst the churches, though the
yeasty waves55Confound and swallow navigation up,Though bladed corn be lodged
and trees blown down,Though castles topple on their warders’ heads,Though
palaces and pyramids do slopeTheir heads to their foundations, though the
treasure60Of nature’s germens tumble all together,Even till destruction sicken,
answer meTo what I ask you.
MACBETH
I command you by the demonic powers you serve to answer my questions, no matter
how you come to know those answers. I don’t care if you unleash violent winds that
tear down churches; cause the foaming waves to rise up and destroy all ships and
sailors; flatten crops and trees with storms; make castles fall down on the heads of
their inhabitants; cause palaces and pyramids to topple; or create so much chaos in
nature that destruction gets tired of itself. Just give me answers.
FIRST WITCH
Speak.
FIRST WITCH
Speak.
SECOND WITCH
Demand.
SECOND WITCH
Demand.
THIRD WITCH
65We’ll answer.
THIRD WITCH
We’ll answer.
FIRST WITCH
Say, if th’ hadst rather hear it from our mouths,Or from our masters’.
FIRST WITCH
Tell us: would you rather hear the answers from our mouths or from our masters’?
MACBETH
Call ‘em. Let me see ‘em.
MACBETH
Call them. Let me see them.
FIRST WITCH
Pour in sow’s blood, that hath eaten70Her nine farrow; grease that’s sweatenFrom
the murderer’s gibbet throwInto the flame.
FIRST WITCH
Pour in the blood of a sow that has eaten her nine offspring. Take the liquefied fat
from the corpse of a murderer hanged on the gallows, and throw it into the flame.
ALL
Come, high or low;Thyself and office deftly show!
ALL
Come, spirit, high or low. Show yourself and your function.
Thunder. The FIRST APPARITION appears, in the form of a head wearing a helmet.
Thunder sounds. The FIRST APPARITION appears, in the form of a head wearing a
helmet.
MACBETH
75Tell me, thou unknown power—
MACBETH
Tell me, you unknown power—
FIRST WITCH
He knows thy thought.Hear his speech but say thou nought.
FIRST WITCH
He knows your thoughts. Listen to what he says, but don’t say a thing.
FIRST APPARITION
Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff.Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me.
Enough.
FIRST APPARITION
Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff. Beware the Thane of Fife. Release
me. Enough.
The FIRST APPARITION descends.
The FIRST APPARITION descends.
MACBETH
80Whate’er thou art, for thy good caution, thanks.Thou hast harped my fear aright.
But one word more—
MACBETH
Whatever you are, thanks for your good advice. You have described exactly what I
feared. But one more thing—
FIRST WITCH
He will not be commanded. Here’s anotherMore potent than the first.
FIRST WITCH
You can not command him. Here’s another, stronger than the first.
Thunder. The SECOND APPARITION appears, in the form of a bloody child.
Thunder sounds. The SECOND APPARITION appears, in the form of a bloody child.
SECOND APPARITION
Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!—
SECOND APPARITION
Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!
MACBETH
85Had I three ears, I’d hear thee.
MACBETH
If I had three ears, I’d use all three to listen.
SECOND APPARITION
Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scornThe power of man, for none of woman
bornShall harm Macbeth.
SECOND APPARITION
Be violent, bold, and determined. Mock the strength of other men, because no man
born from a woman will ever harm Macbeth.
The SECOND APPARITION descends.
The SECOND APPARITION descends.
MACBETH
Then live, Macduff. What need I fear of thee?90But yet I’ll make assurance double
sure,And take a bond of fate. Thou shalt not live,That I may tell pale-hearted fear it
lies,And sleep in spite of thunder.
MACBETH
Then live, Macduff. Why should I fear you? Yet, I’ll make doubly sure and guarantee
my fate. You will die, Macduff, and by killing you I will defeat my fear and always
sleep easily.
Thunder. The THIRD APPARITION appears, in the form of a child wearing a crown
and holding a tree in his hand.
Thunder sounds. The THIRD APPARITION appears, in the form of a child wearing a
crown and holding a tree in his hand.
MACBETH
What is this95That rises like the issue of a king,And wears upon his baby-brow the
roundAnd top of sovereignty?
MACBETH
What is this spirit that appears like the child of a king, wearing a royal crown on his
young head?
ALL
Listen but speak not to ’t.
ALL
Listen, but do not speak to it.
THIRD APPARITION
Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care100Who chafes, who frets, or where
conspirers are.Macbeth shall never vanquished be untilGreat Birnam Wood to high
Dunsinane HillShall come against him.
THIRD APPARITION
Be as courageous and proud as a lion. Don’t worry about who dislikes you, who
resents you, and who conspires against you. Macbeth will never be beaten until
Great Birnam Wood comes to fight you at Dunsinane Hill.
The THIRD APPARITION descends.
The THIRD APPARITION descends.
MACBETH
That will never be.105Who can impress the forest, bid the treeUnfix his earthbound
root? Sweet bodements! Good!Rebellious dead, rise never till the woodOf Birnam
rise, and our high-placed MacbethShall live the lease of nature, pay his breath110To
time and mortal custom. Yet my heartThrobs to know one thing. Tell me, if your
artCan tell so much: shall Banquo’s issue everReign in this kingdom?
MACBETH
That will never happen. Who can command the forest so that the trees lift their roots
from the earth? Sweet prophecies! Good! My murders will never rise until the forest
of Birnam rises, and I will live a full life and die only of old age, as is customary. But
my heart still throbs to know one thing. Tell me, if your dark powers can see it: will
Banquo’s sons ever reign in this kingdom?
ALL
Seek to know no more.
ALL
Do not try to learn more.
MACBETH
115I will be satisfied. Deny me this,And an eternal curse fall on you! Let me
know.Why sinks that cauldron? And what noise is this?
MACBETH
I demand to be satisfied. If you deny me, may an eternal curse fall on you! Let me
know. Why is that cauldron sinking? And what is that sound?
Oboes play music for a ceremonial procession.
Oboes play music for a ceremonial procession.
FIRST WITCH
Show.
FIRST WITCH
Show.
SECOND WITCH
Show.
SECOND WITCH
Show.
THIRD WITCH
120Show.
THIRD WITCH
Show.
ALL
Show his eyes and grieve his heart.Come like shadows; so depart!
ALL
Show him so his heart grieves. Come like shadows and depart as shadows too!
Eight kings parade across the stage, the last one holds a mirror in his hand, followed
by BANQUO.
Eight kings parade across the stage, the last one holds a mirror in his hand, followed
by BANQUO.
MACBETH
Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo. Down!Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs. And
thy hair,125Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first.A third is like the former. —
Filthy hags!Why do you show me this? A fourth? Start, eyes!What, will the line
stretch out to th’ crack of doom?Another yet? A seventh? I’ll see no more.130And yet
the eighth appears, who bears a glassWhich shows me many more, and some I
seeThat twofold balls and treble scepters carry.Horrible sight! Now I see ’tis true;For
the blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon me135And points at them for his.
MACBETH
[To BANQUO] You look too much like Banquo's ghost. Be gone!

[To the first king] Your crown hurts my eyes.

[To the second king] Your golden hair, which looks itself like a crown, resembles the
hair on the first king. And this third king looks just like the second one.

[To himself] Filthy hags! Why do you show me this? A fourth! My eyes bulge from
their sockets! Will this line of kings stretch on to infinity? Yet another one? And a
seventh? I want to see no more. And yet an eighth appears, holding a mirror in which
I see many more kings. And some of those kings carry double orbs and triple
scepters! Horrible sight! Now I see it’s true: blood-splattered Banquo smiles at me
and points at them, identifying them as his descendants.
The spirits of the kings and BANQUO vanish.
The spirits of the kings and BANQUO vanish.
MACBETH
What, is this so?
MACBETH
What? Is this true?
FIRST WITCH
Ay, sir, all this is so. But whyStands Macbeth thus amazedly?Come, sisters, cheer
we up his sprites,140And show the best of our delights.I’ll charm th’ air to give a
sound,While you perform your antic round.That this great king may kindly say,Our
duties did his welcome pay.
FIRST WITCH
Yes, it’s all true. But why do you stand there so amazed? Come, sisters, let’s conjure
up some spirits and show him what we can do. I’ll charm the air to make music while
you perform your wild dance. Then this noble king will say that our ceremonies
repaid his friendly welcome.
Music plays. The WITCHES dance and then vanish.
Music plays. The WITCHES dance and then vanish.
MACBETH
145Where are they? Gone? Let this pernicious hourStand aye accursèd in the
calendar!Come in, without there.
MACBETH
Where are they? Gone? Let this evil hour be marked as cursed in the calendar.

[Calling to someone offstage] You outside, come in!

LENNOX enters.
LENNOX enters.
LENNOX
What’s your grace’s will?
LENNOX
What does your Grace command?
MACBETH
Saw you the weird sisters?
MACBETH
Did you see the weird sisters?
LENNOX
150No, my lord.
LENNOX
No, my lord.
MACBETH
Came they not by you?
MACBETH
They didn’t pass by you?
LENNOX
No, indeed, my lord.
LENNOX
No, indeed, my lord.
MACBETH
Infected be the air whereon they ride,And damned all those that trust them! I did
hear155The galloping of horse. Who was ’t came by?
MACBETH
The air they ride on is infected. Damn all those who trust them! I heard the galloping
of horses. Who was it that came this way?
LENNOX
‘Tis two or three, my lord, that bring you wordMacduff is fled to England.
LENNOX
My lord, two or three men came, bringing word that Macduff has fled to England.
MACBETH
Fled to England?
MACBETH
Fled to England?
LENNOX
Ay, my good lord.
LENNOX
Yes, my good lord.
MACBETH
160Time, thou anticipat’st my dread exploits.The flighty purpose never is
o’ertookUnless the deed go with it. From this momentThe very firstlings of my heart
shall beThe firstlings of my hand. And even now,165To crown my thoughts with acts,
be it thought anddone:The castle of Macduff I will surprise,Seize upon Fife, give to
th’ edge o’ th’ swordHis wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls170That trace him
in his line. No boasting like a fool.This deed I’ll do before this purpose cool.But no
more sights! —Where are these gentlemen?Come, bring me where they are.
MACBETH
[To himself] Time, you stand in the way of my terrifying plans. Unless you
immediately do what you planned, you never get the chance to do it. From this
moment on, I will act as soon as I want to do something. I will begin right now to
follow my thoughts immediately with action. I’ll launch a surprise attack against
Macduff’s castle; seize the town of Fife; and kill his wife, his children, and anyone
else unfortunate enough to bear even a trace of his blood. No more boasting like a
fool. I will do this deed before my sense of purpose dulls. And no more
hallucinations!

[To LENNOX] Where are these messengers? Come, lead me to them.

They exit.
They exit.

Context questions
1. First witch: Round about the cauldron go; In the Poison'd entrails throw.

Toad, that under cold stone Days and nights has thirty one Swelter'd, venom sleeping got, Boil thou
first i' th' charmed pot.

a. Describe the atmosphere prevailing all around in this scene.

Answer. The atmosphere prevailing all around in this scene is gloomy, sinister and evil. The witches
are preparing a foul and poisonous brew by throwing repulsive ingredients like toad's venom, fenny
snake's hilet, eye of newt, toe of frog, wool of bat, tongue of dog, adder's fork, blindworm's sting,
lizard's leg, howjet's wing into the boiling cauldron

b. What are the witches preparing? Name any four ingridients they put on the cauldron.

Answer The witches are preparing a foul, poisonous brew by putting ingredients like toad's venom,
hilet of fenny snake, eye of newt, toe of frog, wool of bat, tongue of dog, adder s fork, blindworm's
sting, lizard sleg and howlet's wing into the boiling cauldron.

c. What significance does the boiling of the charmed pot have?

Answer The boiling of the charmed pot rias the significance of producing visions and apparitions that
will entrap Macbeth and lead him to his doom by giving him a false sense of secunty about his future
as the King ofScotland

d. What is the main intention of the witches in this scene?

Answer. The main intention of the witches in this scene is to use their foul and sinister tricks to
tempt Macbeth further into evil acts by showing him visions that will mislead him into thinking he is
invincible, thus luring him to his tuin and damnation

2. Macbeth: How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags!

What is't you do?

All: A deed without a name.

a. What is the difference we find in the manner and attitude of Macbeth now when he addresses the
witches from that when he first met them?

Answer. When Macbeth first met the witches, he was tentative and apprehensive in his manner of
addressing them. However, this scene, his attitude towards thems more authoritative, commanding
and insolent as he calls them secret, black, and midnight hags" and demands answers from them

b. What does Macbeth demand from the witches as soon as he meets them?

Answer. As soon as Macbeth meets the witches, he demands that they answer his questions
solemnly regardless of the evil ways they may have to employ like causing storms, destroying castles
or any other catastrophe

c. What termble consequences are expected to be produced by the evil words of the witches? State
any threeAnswer The terrible consequences expected to be produced by the evil words of the
witches are that they could untie the winds and let them fight against churches, cause yeasty waves
to confound and swallow navigation, cause bladed com to be lodged and trees blown down, and
cause castles to topple on their warders heads

d. What option do the witches put forward to Macbeth in answering his questions? What option
does Macbeth choose?

Answer The witches put forward the option to Macbeth of hearing their predictions either from their
own mouths or from their master spirits Macbeth chooses to hear the message from their master
spirits.

e. What instructions are given by the first witch to the others to throw into the fire?

Answer The first witch instructs the others to pour in sow's blood that has eaten her nine farrow,
and grease that has sweated from the murderer's gibtiet, into the flame

f. Describe the first apparition that appears in the scene.

B Answer. The first apparition that appears in the scene is San Armed Head which cries out
"Macbeth Macbeth Macbetty Beware Macduff! Beware the Thane of Eifel Dismiss me. Enough

3. First apparition: Macbeth! Macbethi Macbeth! Beware Macduff, Beware the Thane of Fife

Dismiss me Enough

a. What is the symbolism of the first apparition?

Answer. The first apparition, an Armed Head, represents symbolically Macbeth's head cut off by
Macduff and brought to Malcolm

b. How does Macbeth react to the warning of the first apparition?

Answer & Macbeth reacts to the warning of the first apparition by thanking it for the good caution
and saying that it has "harped my fear aright" or touched the chord of his fear correctly. However,
he wants to know one more thing from the apparition

c. Describe the second apparition.

Answer: The second apparition is a Bloody Child which addresses Macbeth thrice and asks him to be
bloody, bold, and resolute, and to not be afraid of any man born of woman as none of woman bom
shall harm Macbeth

d. What does the second apparition symbolise?

Answer The second apparition of the Bloody Child symbolises Macduff who was untimely ripped out
from his mother's womb

e. What are the three qualities Macbeth must acquire to despise the power of man?

Answer: The three qualities that Macbeth must acquire to despise the power of man, as advised by
the second Apparition are to be bloody, bold and resolute

4. Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are Macbeth
shall never vanquishld be, until Great Bimam wood to high & Dunsinane HillShall come against him.

a. Which apparition gives this assurance to Macbeth? How does it instil a sense of false security in
Macbeth?

Answer. This assurance is given to Macbeth by the third apparition, which is a Child Crowned, with a
tree in his hand. It instils a false sense of security in Macbeth by prophesying that he shall never be
vanquished until the impossible happens-until the Great Birnam Wood moves to the high Dunsinane
Hill against him. This seems improbable to Macbeth and he takes it as an assurance of his continued
reign.

b. What is Macbeth confident about? What is impossible and against the law of Nature to happen,
according to Macbeth?

Answer Macbeth is confident that no man born of woman can harm him. He thinks it is impossible
and against the law of Nature for the forest of Birnam to move towards Dunsinane Hill, as trees
cannot unfix their earthbound roots

c. Give the meanings of the following words: i) mettled Nchafes) fretsAnswer) mettled means high-
spirited, courageous ii) chafes means grieves or vexes (ii) frets means worries or is anxious

d. Macbeth uses the words 'Our high-placed Macbeth Why does he do so?

Answer: Macbeth uses the words "Our high-placed Macbeth' as he is so elated and overconfident
after the assurances given by the appantions that he starts referring to himself in third person and
calling himself high placed or exalted

e. What pertinent question does Macbeth ask the witches which they all decline to answer? What do
they say to Macbeth in unison?
Answer: The pertinent question that Macbeth asks the witches is whether Banquo's issue
(descendants) will ever reign in this kingdom. The witches decline to answer this question directly,
and instead say in unison "Seek to know no more?

5. First witch: Show!

Second witch: Show!

Third witch: Show!

All: Show his eyes and grieve his heart, Come like shadows, so depart

a. What is the spectacular show that the witches display in front of R. Macbeth's eyes?

Answer. The spectacular show that the witches display in front of Macbeth's eyes is a vision of eight
kings, the last one holding a glass in his hand, followed by the ghost of Banque

b. Why does the vision burn Macbeth's eyes and make them jump out of their sockets?

Answer The vision of the eight kings followed by Banquo burns Macbeth's eyes and makes them
jump out of their sockets because the eighth king bears a glass which shows many more kings, some
carrying two-fold balls and treble sceptres, indicating that they are Banquo's descendants who will
rule the kingdom after Macbeth

c. How many visions does Macbeth see? Describe each vision.

Answer: Macbeth sees a vision of eight kings. The first king resembles the spirit of Banquo, the
second has hair bound with gold like the first, the third is like the former two, and so on until the
eighth king who bears a glass showing many more kings who carry two-fold balls and treble sceptres,
indicating they are Banquo's royal descendants.

d. How does the first witch propose to cheer Macbeth's disturbed spirits?

Answer: The first witch proposes to cheer Macbeth's disturbed spirits by charming the air to give a
sound while she and the other witches perform their antic round of flance, so that this great king
(Macbeth) may kindly say that their duties did his welcome pay

6. Time, thou anticipat'st my dread exploits:

The flighty purpose never is olertook,

Unless the deed go with it. From this moment, The very firstlings of my heart shall be

The firstlings of my hand

a. What change do we find in the mood of Macbeth in the beginning and at the end of the scene?

Answer: In the beginning of the scene, Macbeth is intrigued by the witches' prophecies and develops
an increased sense of confidence after their assurances of his invincibility. However, by the end of
the scene, after witnessing the vision of Banquo's descendants as future kings, his mood changes to
one of anger, disillusionment and a resolve to take immediate action to secure his reign
b. What news has Macbeth just received and from whom?

Answer: Macbeth has just received the news from Lennox that Macduff has fled to England.

c. What is the meaning and significance of the above extract? Explain in detail.

Answer. In this extract, Macbeth reflects that time for destiny) is anticipating and hampering his
dreadful actions He realizes that a purpose or intention can never be accomplished unless it is
immediately followed by the corresponding deed. From this moment on, Macbeth resolves that the
very first thoughts or conceptions of his heart will be put into action without delay by his hands. This
extract signifies Macbeth's decision to take ruthless steps to eliminate any potential threats to his
kingship by killing Macduff's family, as soon as he learns of Macduff's flight to England His overriding
ambition to remain in power has hardened his heart to commit more violence and bloodshed

d. What crime does. Macbeth plan to execute at the earliest?

Answer Upon learning that Macduff has fled to England, Macbeth plans to immediately surprise the
castle of Macduff, seize Fife, and put Macduff's wife, children and all those unfortunate souls tracing
Macdurf's lineage to the sword

e. How do we know that Macbeth's cravings to know more about his future have died down? Quote
the line that tells us so

Answer. We know that Macbeth's cravings to know more about his future have died down from the
line "But no more sights!" This shows that he is no longer interested in witnessing any more visions
or appantions from the witches

7. Comment on Macbeth's second meeting with the witches.

Answer: Macbeth's second meeting with the witches spells his doom and lures him to his ruin
through their deceptive prophecies. The witches instil a false sense of security in Macbeth by making
ambiguous predictions that seem to assure his continued reign but are actually foreshadowing his
downfall. The apparitions warn Macbeth to beware of Macduff but also state that no man born of
woman can harm him, and that he will not be overthrown until Birnam Wood moves to & Dunsinane
Hill-events that seem impossible to Macbeth. This overconfidence is shaken when the witches show
him a vision of Banquo's descendants as future kings, indicating that his own reign will be short-lived

While initially intrigued by the witches, Macbeth's attitude towards them becomes more
authoritative and insolent in this meeting. The witches evil intentions are evident as they use foul
ingredients like toad's venom, tongue of dog, and finger of a strangled babe to conjure their
apparitions. Their ambiguous prophecies Jure Macbeth into e false sense of invincibility, hardening
his heart to comme more violent acts like the murder of Macdurr's family Ultimately, the witches'
temptations lead Macbeth further down the path of evil and damnation, while also foreshadowing
the tragic consequences that await him

Extra Questions and Answers

1. What ingredients do the witches throw into the cauldron?

Answer: The witches throw various loathsome ingredients into the cauldron, including

Toad that has sweltered venom for thirty-one days and nights under a cold stone

Fillet of a fenny snake

Eye of newt and toe of frog

Wool of bat and tongue of dog

Adder's fork and blindworm's sting

Lizard's leg and howlet's wing

Scale of dragon and tooth of wolf

Witch's mummy, maw, and gulf of the ravined salt-sea shark

Root of hemlock digged in the dark

Liver of blaspheming Jew

Gall of goat and slips of yew slivered in the moon's eclipse

Nose of Turk and Tartar's lips

Finger of birth-strangled babe ditch-delivered by a drab

Tiger's chaudron

Extra Questions and Answers

10. How does Lennox's news about Macduff affect Macbeth's state of mind?

Answer: Lennox brings Macbeth the news that Macduff has fled to England. This shatters Macbeth's
false sense of security and triggers his resolve to act immediately. He says, "Time, thou anticipat'st
my dread exploits; / The flighty purpose never is o'ertook / Unless the deed go with it." Macbeth
realizes that he must act swiftly to eliminate potential threats, leading him to plan to "surprise"
Macduff's castle and kill his family.