Macbeth

The witches gather around a boiling cauldron in a cavern as a storm rages outside. They stir their concoction while chanting spells. When Hecate appears, she praises their efforts. Macbeth arrives and demands the truth about the prophecies. The witches offer to let Macbeth hear the truth from the mouth of their master and he accepts. A series of spirits and apparitions appears before Macbeth. The first warns him to “beware Macduff [and] beware the thane of Fife” (4.1.73-73). The second tells him that he cannot be killed by any man born of a woman. The third tells him that he is safe until a forest named Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. The final vision is of eight ghostly kings, the last of whom carries a mirror. The ghost of Banquo appears behind them. When Macbeth calls on the witches to tell him what the vision means, they dance and vanish, leaving Macbeth to ponder what he has seen. Lennox arrives to tell Macbeth that Macduff has already fled to England. Macbeth decides to send the murderers out to capture Macduff’s castle and to execute his wife and children.

At the castle of Macduff, Lady Macduff asks Ross why her husband has been forced to flee south, leaving everything behind. Ross tries to reason with her but can offer no comfort. When Ross leaves, Lady Macduff talks to her eldest son. She informs the young boy that his father was a traitor and is now dead. The boy does not believe her. He seems certain that Macduff is alive. A messenger arrives and tries to convince Lady Macduff that she is in grave danger. He tells her to flee and then quickly departs himself. Lady Macduff does nothing; she does not know where to run. A gang of murderers appears, searching for Macduff. When a murderer calls Macduff a traitor, Macduff’s son defends his father, calling the murderer a “shaggy-haired villain” (4.2.79). The murderers stab the boy and, as he shouts for his mother to run, they chase down Lady Macduff.

Malcolm and Macduff meet one another outside the palace of King Edward of England. Malcolm does not trust Macduff, as he left his family behind in Scotland and may be working secretly for Macbeth. Malcolm devises a test: He begins to deprecate himself, claiming to be guilty of many sins, such as lust, greed, and wrath. Macduff tries to contradict Malcolm, hoping that Malcolm will become an honest and benevolent king. But Malcolm continues. Eventually, Macduff cannot hold in his pain any more. He cries out for his country, calling “O Scotland, Scotland” (4.3.101). Macduff cannot help but agree that if Malcolm were guilty of all of these sins, he would be a terrible king. This outburst demonstrates to Malcolm that Macduff values his country, so Macduff passes Malcolm’s test. He assures Macduff that he is a good person and that he will make a good king. They embrace as allies. A doctor reveals that King Edward has the power to cure the ailments of the sick.

Ross arrives from Scotland, cryptically telling Macduff that his wife and son are ”at peace” (4.3.208). He advises Malcolm to return to Scotland, as many terrible things have befallen the country in his absence. Malcolm announces that the King of England has promised to lend him 10,000 men. At this, Ross cannot hold the truth in any longer. He breaks down, revealing that Macbeth has brutally murdered Macduff’s wife and children (they are at peace because their souls are in heaven). Macduff is stricken by grief that quickly turns into anger. He swears revenge against Macbeth.