Act 4 of Macbeth

Scene 1

• In opening scene of this act the witches are present. once again they enter with a stage direction of thunder.
• During the incarnation there are many gruesome images that are revealed to the audience. however one of the most disturbing is that of "finger of birth-strangled babe." this also relates to pervious action where lady Macbeth talks about killing a new born child
• an intersting word used is that of "wicked" this could suggest that he is now completely evil as even the witches call him this. Alternatively, it could imply that he himself is part of the supernatural element to the play. this is because wicked used to relate to a soccerer
• In terms of context this opening could be viewed as significant as, at the time, peoples view on supernatural witches were extremely negative. Shakespeare could have crafted these ideas in to actual stage directed actions.
• Perhaps the most vivid imagery used when the apirations appear. The first is in the form of an armed head. this could be seen to foreshadow the beheading of the protagonist. Also the fact that the apiration warns of Macduff portrays the fact that Macduff will eventually commit the deed.
• the second apiration is in the form of a bloody child. it can be inferred that, this will be the most dramatic and disturbing vision. for modern interpretations, the practioner Artaud would provide an effective exploration. The fact that the child is bloody could be seen to foreshadow the murder of Macduff's son and also the death of young seyward. The third apiration is perhaps a more obvious prolepsis of the final scene. The crowned child could symbolise the young future king Malcolm. Where as the tree froreshadows the fact that the army use the trees for camoflage.

Scene 2

Scene 3