1. What three things does Macbeth learn from the witches and apparitions and how does he react to them?
2. How does Macbeth react to Macduff's departure? (use concrete details)
3. What action is taken by Macduff and Malcolm in Act IV? (use concrete details)
CARTER
ReplyDelete1) Macbeth sees "an armed head...a bloody child...a Child crowned, with a tree in his hand...a show of eight kings with Banquo last" (IV.i.?). To the first, he reacts with some arrogance, saying that he already figured as much. To the second, he has an even grater pride, as he feels he is invincible to its prophecy.
2) Macbeth reacts with "give to th'edge o'th' sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line," (IV.i.151-3). A bit overkill, he sees it as utmost treason, and gives him the greatest blow he can, the death of his family at his arrogance and disrespect.
3) Malcolm tries to test Macduff with things such as "smacking of every sin that has a name," (IV.iii.60-1). Macduff then begins to repeal his future king's qualms, saying that the treasury and kingdom will have more than enough to fill his tastes. Eventually, Macduff secedes to Malcolm, lament his country. Malcolm then sees that Macduff is loyal, and they begin to conspire against Macbeth.
CARTER
ReplyDelete1) What the first two tell him is that Macduff will be his end, and that he will be killed by someone not "of woman born". The crowned child tells him that when Birnam wood comes to this castle, it will be his death. He responds by saying the logical that trees cannot move. the last apparition makes him realize that he will be succeeded by other lines, that his own will not survive.
2) Macbeth's reaction is to change his policy of his actions. He states that now, "From this moment the very firstlings of my heart shall be firstlings of my hand," (IV.i.146-8). He becomes even more paranoid after this incident, by killing all those that even have a semblance of opposition to him.
3) Later, the two are visited by Ross, who informs Macduff of the death of his family. Macduff replies with, "I shall do so' but I must also feel it as a man," (IV.iii.122-3). This presents a change in the play, as up to this point, manliness is characterized by blond violence and brutality, not these emotions, with which it is now shown.
CARTER
ReplyDelete1) Macbeth doesn't really take the second prophesy seriously. He says that this makes him invincible, with the fact that "all men are born of women", trees can't move, and that he already knew Macduff was an enemy, so that prophecy was useless.
2) This shows a change in Macbeth. Whereas before he was lamenting at every little action, now he is impulsive and errant in his actions.
3) The two nobles conspire to rid of Macbeth using armies given to them by the King of England. They plan to use his royal blessing to have, essentially, the Mandate of Heaven against Macbeth.
1. Macbeth learns a lot from the witches. First, he learns to watch out for Macduff: "Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff, beware the Thane of Fife." (4.1, lines 71-72). Then he learns he shouldn't be afraid of women: " Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laught to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth." (4.1, lines 79-81)Finally, he learns that he will safely be king until Birnam Wood moves: "Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him." (4.1, lines 92-94).
ReplyDelete2. Macbeth decides to ruin and destroy everything of Macduff's: "The castle of Macduff I will surprise, seize upon Fife, give to th'edge o'th' sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that 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 gentleman?" (4.1, lines 150-155).
Lauren Steiner
1.Macbeth is excited to see the witches once again because he has based his actions, or so he thinks, on their prophesies. The first apparition is an armed head and to beware Macduff because "He knows thy thought". the Second apparition is a bloody child along with information of women being harmless. This further confuses Macbeth in his next actions as he does not know whether to still beware Macduff. The third apparition is a crowned child. They say he will remain in control until some woods move with seems impossible and fortifies Macbeth with his power.
ReplyDelete2. Macbeth feels confident in his reign until he hears the news of Macduff leaving. In the conversation with the witches he believes, "..our high-placed Macbeth shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath to time and mortal custom" (4.1). to "From this moment the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand." (4.1, lines 146-148). This reveals Macbeth hidden side: fearful, uncertain, low self-esteem, unconfident..and so on. Even though there was not that much of a threat Macbeth decides himself to just begin murdering without as much thought and worry as there was at first with Duncan.
3. In Act IV, there is a huge scene with Macduff and Malcolm and it sounds like they are trying to take revenge on Macbeth. This is the first time in the novel, besides from Lady Macduff and her son, where it seems like they are definite that Macbeth is the culprit. Malcolm says, "But, for all this, when i shall tread upon the tyrant's head, or wear it on my sword, yet my poor country shall have more vices than it had before, more suffer, and more sundry ways than ever, by him that shall succeed." (4.3, lines 45-50). Malcolm states that they should take revenge and kill Macbeth or else their country/ society will decline.
Lauren Steiner
1. The first apparition is symbolic of power, security, and harm's way. Macbeth thinks he is in great power but questions himself later and decides to be "wicked" and kill, furthermore proving his connection with Free Will. The second apparition of a bloody child is symbolic of death and infertility for Macbeth and his Lady and can even be for Macduff's family because Macbeth kills his wife and son. this catches my attention as it makes me think its symbolizes Macbeth not remaining in reign because of someone else's kin defeating him and taking the crown.
ReplyDeleteI would like to add that i think it is significant that prior to Macbeth entering the scene the second witch says, "Something wicked this way comes." (4.1, line 45). This famous line gives me the sense of foreshadowing in progress and deeper meaning. I think it is saying that Macbeth, who has become wicked but was earlier considered kingly from the witches, is not done with his evil deeds quite yet.
Lauren Steiner
ROY
ReplyDelete1) Macbeth sees "an armed head...a bloody child...a Child crowned, with a tree in his hand...a show of eight kings with Banquo last" (4.1). In the first prophesy, he reacts with arrogance seeing as how he already knew this information. To the second he is fearful and tries to take things into his own hands. 2) Macbeth says "give to th'edge o'th' sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line," (4.1.151-3). He sees it as utmost treason, and gives him the greatest blow he can, the death of his family at his arrogance and disrespect. 3) Malcolm tries to tell and conspire with Macduff with things saying, "smacking of every sin that has a name," (4.3.60-1). Macduff then begins to take away his future king's concerns, saying that the treasury and kingdom will have more than enough to fill his tastes. Eventually, Macduff secedes to Malcolm, lament his country. Malcolm then sees that Macduff is loyal, and they begin to conspire against Macbeth.
ROY
ReplyDeleteTO Lauren:
1) I believe that Macbeth tries to take it into his own hands through free will in order to chagne Banquo's fate. He believes that he can change his own destiny through killing off Fleance.
2) I believe that Macbeth is very cautious of Macduff's departure and he wants to wage war with him.
ROY:
ReplyDeleteHere are some quotes to backup my answers
1) Macbeth! macbeth! macbeth! Beware macduff, beware the Thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough" (4.1.54-58)
Macbeth! macbeth! macbeth... Be bloody be bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth..." (4.1.78-84)
2)
"The castle of Macduff I will surpise, seize upon Fife, give to th'edge o'th' sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool; this deed I'll do before this purpose cool." (4.1.150-154)
3)
"With this there frows in my most ill-composed affection such a stanchless avarice that, were I king, I should cut off the nobles of their lands, desire his jewels and this other's house, and my more-having would be as a sauce to make hunger more..." (4.3.77-83)
One of the Quotes above is ROY's
ReplyDeleteCARTER
ReplyDeleteTo Lauren: your answers are good, but the second apparition doesn't say women are harmless, it says that no one born of a woman can harm him.
To Roy: I don't think Macbeth was fearful of the second prophecy, in fact quite the opposite, as he say there is nothing to worry about. I like the quotes you use though.
1. Just revising my former answer: the second apparition is not to not worry about women but people born of women, which is everyone, except the trick is that Macduff was ripped from the womb.
ReplyDelete2. Macbeth reacts to Macduff's departure hastily. He reacts with anger and fear and chooses to kill his whole family. This only infuriates Macduff more anyway. Lennox says "'tis two or three, my lord, that bring you word Macduff is fled to England." and Macbeth says "Fled to England!" (4.1). This is Macbeth's first impression and i earlier stated his decision.
3. Macduff and Malcolm primarily think revenge. for instance, Macduff states, "Let us rather hold fast the mortal sword, and like good men bestride our downfall'n birthday." (4.3, lines 2-4). I am uncertain as to if anyone else knows that MAcbeth is the villain, but Malcolm sounds like he is going to make it known: "That, when they shall be opened, black Macbeth will seem as pure as snow, and the pure state esteem him as a lamb, being compared with my confineless harms" (4.3 lines 53-56).
Lauren Steiner
3. At the end of the Act, after Macduff and Malcolm hear of the slayings of Macduff's family Malcolm exclaims his feelings and a paradox, "Macbeth is ripe for shaking, and the powers above put on their instruments. Receive what cheer you may. The night is long that never finds the day." (4.3, lines 239-242). Although after this Malcolm starts saying that Scotland will suffer even more is Macbeth is gone, because Malcolm is evil too: " a stanchless avarice that, were I king, I should cut off the nobles for their lands, desire his jewels and this other's house, and my more-having would be a sauce to make me hunger more, that i should forge quarrels unjust against the good an the loyal, destroying them for wealth." (4.3, lines 79-86).
ReplyDeleteLauren Steiner
Amelia
ReplyDelete1) Macbeth is told to beware Macduff, that he can only be harmed by a man not born of a woman, and that he will only be harmed when the “Great Birnam Wood” comes “to high Dunsinane Hill” (pg. 115). However, he takes all of these prophecies very literally, instead of taking them as a warning. He sees it as a confirmation that he is untouchable. It adds to his delusion that he is in control of all the power.
Amelia
ReplyDelete2) Macbeth sends a mercenary to murder all of Macduff’s remaining family, "give to th'edge o'th' sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line" He wants to wipe out everyone he cares about to break him down and assert his power (once again) in some sick way without considering the repercussions.
Amelia
ReplyDeleteConcrete details for number 1!
1)“ Beware Macduff, beware the Thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough"
“Be bloody be bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth”
Amelia
ReplyDelete3) Because they both know there are traitors among them, they are testing one another for true loyalty. Because Macduff makes outlandish, terrible claims, Malcom does not trust him as much, even though Macduff is trying to find is there is trust between them. Much of that scene is a misunderstanding between the two of them.
Amelia
ReplyDelete3) Also in this scene, Macduff and Malcom confide in one another that Macbeth is in a position of suspicion in relation with all of these horrendous deaths, Macduff’s family now included. Because of this, their plan to kill him is now put into action. At the close of the scene, Malcom says “Macbeth is ripe for shaking” saying that it is time to put him in his place.
CARTER
ReplyDeleteTo Amelia: First off, FINALLY! Second, Macbeth not only wanted to kill Macduff's family, but Macduff himself, that's why the murderer asked where he was. Third, it is not Macduff that makes the outlandish claims, but Malcolm.
Amelia
ReplyDeleteTo Carter: Oh, okay! I must have gotten the names mixed up.
It looks like I stumbled into a reading group? I came on to steal your mask of red death pic via google image search and saw no one was following, so I joined up. Looks like I may be too late though...
ReplyDelete