#Macbeth act 4 scene 1 summary full#
As they throw ingredients into their cauldron, they chant "double, double, toil and trouble"-a reminder that their speech is full of double meanings, paradox, and equivocation (IV i 10). All three men leave to prepare for battle.Īs the act opens, the witches carry on the theme of doubling and equivocation that threads throughout the play. Again Malcolm urges him to put his grief to good use and seek revenge. Macduff is overcome with guilt and sorrow from the murders that occurred while he was absent. Macduff is stunned speechless and Malcolm urges him to cure his grief by exacting revenge on Macbeth. When pressed further, he relates the story of their death. When Macduff asks how his wife and children are faring, Ross first responds that they are “well at peace” (180). Ross arrives from Scotland and reports that the country is in a shambles. The king, according to Malcolm, has a gift for healing people simply by laying his hands on them. He then announces that Siward has assembled an army of ten thousand men and is prepared to march on Scotland.Ī messenger appears and tells the men that the king of England is approaching, attended by a crowd of sick and despairing people who wish the king to cure them. In fact, he claims, the first lie he has ever told was this false confession to Macduff. Upon hearing this, Malcolm is convinced of Macduff's goodness and reveals that he was merely testing him he has none of these faults to which he has just confessed. Macduff despairs and says that he will leave Scotland forever if this is the case, since there seems to be no man fit to rule it. Malcolm, remembering his father's misplaced trust in Macbeth, decides to test Macduff: he confesses that he is a greedy, lustful, and sinful man who makes Macbeth look like an angel in comparison. Macduff arrives at the English court and meets with Malcolm. But before Lady Macduff can escape, murderers attack the house and kill everyone including Lady Macduff and her son.
A messenger interrupts them with a warning to flee the house immediately. The little boy demonstrates wisdom well beyond his years. After he leaves, Lady Macduff engages her son in a conversation about his missing father. He reassures her by telling her that her husband did only what was right and necessary. Act 4, Scene 2Īt Fife, Ross visits Lady Macduff, who is frightened for her own safety now that her husband has fled.
Macbeth resolves that he will henceforth act immediately on his ambitions: the first step will be to seize Fife and kill Macduff's wife and children. After the witches dance and disappear, Lennox enters with the news that Macduff has fled to England.
As Banquo points at this line of kings, Macbeth realizes that they are indeed his family line. The witches now show Macbeth a procession of kings, the eighth of whom holds a mirror in his hand, followed by Banquo. The cauldron sinks and a strange sound is heard.
Macbeth proceeds to ask his last question: will Banquo's children ever rule Scotland? This cheers Macbeth even more, since he knows that nothing can move a forest. The third apparition is a crowned child with a tree in its hand, who says that "Macbeth shall never vanquished be until / Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill / Shall come against him" (107-09). The second apparition is a bloody child, who tells him that "none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth" (96-97). The first is an armed head that warns Macbeth to beware the Thane of Fife (Macduff).
#Macbeth act 4 scene 1 summary series#
The witches complete their magic spell and summon forth a series of apparitions. Macbeth then enters, demanding answers to his pressing questions about the future. Hecate appears, they sing all together, and Hecate leaves. The witches circle a cauldron, mixing in a variety of grotesque ingredients while chanting "double, double toil and trouble / Fire burn, and cauldron bubble" (10-11).
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