ACT IV - Themes

Ambition

Appearances vs reality

The hope of the prophecies vs. what they really mean (death)

"Infected be the air whereon they ride, And damned all those that trust them!" P.66

-Macbeth pretends he didn't see the witches and that he doesn't believe in them, be though his choices in the play all reflect the prophecies.

Fate and free will :

The witches predicts the fate of Macbeth with the prophecy that he should beware of Macduff, none of woman born shall harm Macbeth and finally, Dunsinane Hill shall come against him. p. 63-64

Violence: each violent act lead inevitably to the next

The killing of Macduff’s family leads to Macduff wanting revenge and killing Macbeth.

“ O, I could play the woman with mine eyes

And braggart with my tongue! But gentle heavens,

Cut short all intermission; front to front

Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself;

Within my sword’s lenght set him. ” (p.80)

Gender roles

Macduff leaves his family but his wife stays strong.

ACT IV - Symbols

Macduff fleeing to England: marks the beginning of the end for Macbeth and his confidence as king.

ACT IV - Motif

Weather

Thunder = Prophecy/Witches and apparition of a bloody child

Blood: Bloody child, Blood-boltered Banquo “”(p.65)

Prophecy:  Banquo’s line of kings”Now  I see ‘tis true; for the blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon me, and points at them for his. What, is this so?”(p.65)

Further proof that Banquo’s children will become kings.

Dead children:

The second apparition is a bloody child

“Second Apparition. Be bloody, bold and resolute! Laugh to scorn

The pow’r of man, for none of woman born

Shall harm Macbeth.” (p.63)

“What you egg! (Stabbing him)” p.70

"He has killed me, mother:Run away, I pray you" p.70

Macbeth ordered murderers to go after Macduff and all his family. Macduff’s son is stabbed and Lady Macduff run’s away with the murderers chasing her.

"I grant him bloody, luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin that has my name"

p. 73