Act 4, Scene 1 – Macbeth Visits the Witches
The Witches show Macbeth three apparitions, and eight ghost kings that look like Banquo.
“Round the cauldron” – Theme: Supernatural
The scene opens with the Witches creating a vile potion. This reminds the audience of
their evil intentions and that they are a force for evil in the play.
“Liver…gall of goat…nose of Turk, and Tartar’s lips….” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
The gruesome list of body parts that the Witches throw into the cauldron sets a dark and
frightening tone.
“Something wicked this way comes” – Character: Macbeth
The Witches announces Macbeth’s arrival, showing that he has changed and is no longer
the honourable hero.
“Speak. Demand. We’ll answer”
The Witches pretend to obey Macbeth. They trick him into asking for the apparitions by
saying that he can talk to the ‘masters’ – the Witches know that Macbeth’s biggest
weakness is his ambition, so they play on his lust for power.
“Call ‘em, let me see ‘em”
Macbeth’s language is confident as he uses commands to control the Witches – he’s not
afraid of them.
The Witches summon three apparitions to predict Macbeth’s future – they symbolise
the threats to Macbeth. This is a turning point in the play, where Macbeth starts to
believe that he is invincible.
“FIRST APPARITION”
An armoured head warns Macbeth about Macduff. It could foreshadow Macbeth’s
decapitation and also symbolises treachery and the violence of battle.
“SECOND APPARITION”
A bloody child tell Macbeth that no one born from a woman can harm him. This
represents Macduff, born by caesarean section.
“THIRD APPARITION”
A child wearing a crown and carrying a branch tells Macbeth that he can’t be beaten
until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. This could represent Malcom – the rightful
heir. The branch could represent Birnam Wood, but also the hope that Scotland might
grow and flourish under Malcolm’s rule.
Descends – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Each spirit ‘descends’ after they have spoken. This may suggest that they are returning
to hell.
“Who can impress the forest, bid the tree, unfix his earthbound root?”
The apparitions give Macbeth confidence. He thinks that he will never be defeated
because it’s impossible for Birnam Wood to move and that he’s invincible because every
man is born from a woman.
“Shall Banquo’s issue ever reign in this kingdom?” – Theme: Kingship
To Macbeth, making sure his descendants are kings is as important as being king himself.
The Witches show Macbeth three apparitions, and eight ghost kings that look like Banquo.
“Round the cauldron” – Theme: Supernatural
The scene opens with the Witches creating a vile potion. This reminds the audience of
their evil intentions and that they are a force for evil in the play.
“Liver…gall of goat…nose of Turk, and Tartar’s lips….” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
The gruesome list of body parts that the Witches throw into the cauldron sets a dark and
frightening tone.
“Something wicked this way comes” – Character: Macbeth
The Witches announces Macbeth’s arrival, showing that he has changed and is no longer
the honourable hero.
“Speak. Demand. We’ll answer”
The Witches pretend to obey Macbeth. They trick him into asking for the apparitions by
saying that he can talk to the ‘masters’ – the Witches know that Macbeth’s biggest
weakness is his ambition, so they play on his lust for power.
“Call ‘em, let me see ‘em”
Macbeth’s language is confident as he uses commands to control the Witches – he’s not
afraid of them.
The Witches summon three apparitions to predict Macbeth’s future – they symbolise
the threats to Macbeth. This is a turning point in the play, where Macbeth starts to
believe that he is invincible.
“FIRST APPARITION”
An armoured head warns Macbeth about Macduff. It could foreshadow Macbeth’s
decapitation and also symbolises treachery and the violence of battle.
“SECOND APPARITION”
A bloody child tell Macbeth that no one born from a woman can harm him. This
represents Macduff, born by caesarean section.
“THIRD APPARITION”
A child wearing a crown and carrying a branch tells Macbeth that he can’t be beaten
until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. This could represent Malcom – the rightful
heir. The branch could represent Birnam Wood, but also the hope that Scotland might
grow and flourish under Malcolm’s rule.
Descends – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Each spirit ‘descends’ after they have spoken. This may suggest that they are returning
to hell.
“Who can impress the forest, bid the tree, unfix his earthbound root?”
The apparitions give Macbeth confidence. He thinks that he will never be defeated
because it’s impossible for Birnam Wood to move and that he’s invincible because every
man is born from a woman.
“Shall Banquo’s issue ever reign in this kingdom?” – Theme: Kingship
To Macbeth, making sure his descendants are kings is as important as being king himself.
