Give Reasons :
Inthis scene , Macbeth returns to the witches because he is anxious about
the consequences of his actions and hopes to gain reassurance about his
position as king and identify potential threats to his power
In Act 4 Scene 1, Macbeth receives comfort from the witches
because they call up three apparitions which strengthen Macbeth’s
feeling of security
Macbeth decides not to spare Macduff’s life because he is not ready
to depend solely on the predictions of the apparitions and wants to
be doubly sure of his preservation.
Despite the assurance of the apparitions, Macbeth is anxious
because he wants to know whether Banquo’s issues will become
the future rulers of Scotland.
Witches command more apparitions to come out and pass before
Macbeth’s eyes like a dumb show because Macbeth had been
repeatedly asking whether Banquo’s issues will become the future
rulers of Scotland.
Macbeth’s cheerfulness gives the reader a fearful feeling because
the tragic hero is unable to see the ‘truth’ and his denouncement
has begun, a prelude to his great fall.
The second apparition assured Macbeth that he need not be afraid
of any person born of women, yet Macduff will not be spared
because Macbeth will not depend solely on predictions and will
doubly ensure his safety.
The third apparition’s prediction puts Macbeth in high spirits
because he feels assured that he will be able to live his allotted
span of life and will die in proper time.
The shadowy procession of eight kings disappoint and anger
Macbeth terribly because he realises that his fears are true and that
indeed the descendants of Banquo will rule Scotland.
Macbeth promises to turn his intention to action as soon as it is
formed in his mind because he feels his delays have enabled
Macduff to escape to England.
Structured Answers :
How is the power of sorcery described in this
scene?
In Act 4, Scene 1 of Macbeth, the power of sorcery is depicted as a dark
and potent force, manifested through various abilities of the witches .
They are bizarre in their appearance and engaged in repulsive deeds at
the dead of the night.
We are told, that they use grotesque body parts of loathed animals or
human beings, as ingredients to add to the bubbling cauldron - like eye
of newt and toe of a frog to brew a powerful potion in a bubbling
cauldron. The ingredients are all poisonous signifying the chaotic and
unsettling nature of their magic,representing the disturbing power of
their witchcraft. They could unleash the stormy wind upon the churches
- a domain of the religion. Having manipulated the natural elements
like wind and sea using their spells, and could cause shipwreck by huge
foamy, bellowing waves. They could shake the foundation of palaces and
structures as strong as pyramids. Interestingly the witches can also
conjure apparitions that answer Macbeth's questions and provide him
with cryptic prophecies he believes in.
Describe Macbeth’s meeting with the three apparitions
and explain their significance.
The witches summon three apparitions in order to answer Macbeth’s
questions about his future as the king of Scotland. Each of these
apparitions offer a different warning about the circumstances that will
lead to his downfall, although like the earlier prophecies of the witches,
their words are ambiguous and misleading. They appear in symbolic
form and Macbeth,who cannot interpret these symbols receive comfort
from these apparitions. Shakespeare however wants his audience to
understand the symbolic importance of these three apparitions.
The first of the three apparitions,is an armed head, which represents
Macbeth’s own head wearing a military helmet. It warns Macbeth to
watch out for Macduff, without offering any specifics about why Macbeth
should fear Macduff. It only hints at a future battle between the two
men. This message confirms one of Macbeth’s fears, but the remaining
two apparitions give prophecies that lead him to believe he will ultimately
be invincible. According to scholars, the armed head symbolically
represents Macbeth's head cut off and brought to Malcolm by Macduff.
The Second Apparition,in the form of a bloody child, explains that none
of the women born can harm Macbeth. These words are particularly
misleading as it seemingly suggests that no human being is capable of
defeating Macbeth. In the final act of the play it is revealed that this
refers to people born via cesarean section. The bloody child is Macduff
un-timely ripp'd from his mother's womb. The vague language of the
Second Apparition begins to lure Macbeth into a false sense of security.
The Third Apparition, the royal child with a tree in his hand is Malcolm,
the rightful heir to the Scottish throne. The final ghost implored Macbeth
to be proud and fearless of others. It then prophesizes that Macbeth will
only be beaten when the Great Birnam Wood, a nearby forest, arrives at
Dunsinane to fight. Given how absurd the literal image of trees arriving
for battle is, Macbeth feels even more secure in his position. He fails to
imagine the metaphorical side of this prediction, that Malcolm; will order
his soldiers to hew down a bough from the trees, and bear it before them
and march to Dunsinane
Together, the Three Apparitions highlight the connection between
Macbeth’s hubris and his tragic downfall. They correctly describe the
conditions that will lead to his destruction, and his inability to
Understand the real meaning of these words.
Explain the significance of the two fold golden orb and treble
sceptre.
The passage is a tribute to King James, a descendant of Banquo and
King of both England and Scotland when ‘Macbeth’ was performed.
A reference to the royalty of King James I can be found in the dumb
show of apparitions that the witches call out on being repeatedly asked
by Macbeth to show his future.In his vision, Macbeth sees that the last
king in the line of eight silent royal apparitions carries in his hands
“……two fold balls and treble scepters…” which could mean two different
things. First, it is possible that the two fold balls in this sentence
represents James’s dual coronation as ruler of Scotland and then of
England, because he was crowned in Scotland as King of Scotland and
there received an orb and a scepter. He was crowned again in England,
where he received an orb and two scepters. Therefore, the “treble
scepters carry”,is a reference to how James’s coronation united the three
nations of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
It looks like Shakespeare has just paid a compliment to his patron.It is
not surprising that Shakespeare aimed to please King James . Shortly
after his arrival in London, the king had insisted that Shakespeare's
troupe come under his own patronage, giving them unlimited
opportunities and in the process making Shakespeare a wealthy man.
Analyse the meaning and implications of Macbeth;s words: "From this
moment / The very firstlings of my heart shall be / The firstlings of my hand."
The line "From this moment the very firstlings of my heart shall be the
firstlings of my hand" signifies Macbeth's resolve to act upon his desires and
thoughts immediately, without deliberation. In other words, no more thinking
and contemplating about the pros and cons of being bad.
After his meeting with the witches Macbeth is shocked to learn from Lennox
that Macduff has fled to England. He regrets that he has not been quick
enough to capture Macduff and realises that resolutions are likely to become
futile if they are not acted upon as soon as they are made. It seems to him that
time flies quickly so in order to prevent the performance of his murderous
deeds,delay in translating his ideas into action has helped Macduff to escape
from his clutches, so he makes a resolution that the first thought of his heart
shall be the first deed executed
He swears that he will act on instinct, rather than acting on ambition and he
resolves to kill Macduff and all of his family. His announcement, ‘....No
boasting like a fool, this deed I’ll do before this purpose is cool’ - showcases
how his character evolves towards impulsiveness and recklessness as the play
progresses.
