Macbeth
Summary
ACT IV
Act IV is a very confusing time in the play. Macbeth goes to see the witches again
because he needs answers. He is desperate and very paranoid that everyone knows what
he did. Lady Macbeth’s role has changed dramatically; she is no longer involved in
Macbeth’s decisions and plans. Below you will find a summary of the witches’
predictions and other important elements about this act.
The witches are stirring up a brew as Macbeth comes to them one night. He wants
answers about his life. Remember: They are witches, they speak in riddles. Macbeth
does not get straight answers from them, instead, they make him look into the cauldron
and he sees visions that speak to him.
Vision #1:
A head with armor (Macduff)
The vision tells him to beware of Macduff
Vision #2:
A bloody child
“None of woman born shall harm Macbeth”
***Everyone is born of woman, this voice is telling him that no one will
ever be able to harm him.
Vision #3:
A child with a crown on his head, holding a tree
The vision tells him that he will never be beaten until Birnam Wood
comes to Dunsinane Hill.
***This is a strange prediction. Birnam Wood is a forest near Macbeth’s
castle, the vision and voice is telling him that the woods will actually
move and come to his castle. That can never happen.
Vision #4:
Macbeth asks about Banquo’s son, Fleance. A line of kings is seen in
mirrors. They all look like Fleance…
Macbeth is very confident after these predictions. He starts to believe that he is
untouchable and will never be defeated. In order to protect himself more, he sends a
group of murderers to Macduff’s home. Macduff wasn’t there so they killed his family
instead. Meanwhile, Macduff is in England trying to convince Malcolm that he wants to
join him in a battle against Macbeth. During their conversation Malcolm tries to trick
Macduff by pretending that he (Malcolm) would be a very bad king. He does this in order
to gather information from Macduff and see if he is truly loyal to Scotland. Ross delivers
the news about Macduff’s family. This only angers him more and now he has made it his
mission to kill and overthrow Macbeth once and for all.