In Macbeth, Macbeth suffers many
conflicting emotions and suffers from an overriding ambition which "o'er leaps itself"
(I.vii.27), meaning that he realizes it causes him to make rash decisions in the pursuit
of his aspirations. As the witches anticipate Macbeth's new title of Thane of Cawdor
and, indeed, go so much further in prophesying his future as king, he, with much
encouragement and even coercion from Lady Macbeth, is unable to restrain himself from
satisfying those prophesies.
However, he becomes uncertain
and overwhelmed by circumstances after seeing Banquo's ghost and so is eager to ensure
that, after going to so much trouble to ensure that he is king, there is nothing in his
way. He feels that the witches can reassure him. The witches are fully aware of
Macbeth's weakness and of his "wicked" nature and intend to take full advantage of
him.
The apparitions appear in Act IV, scene
i:
- The first apparition is "an Armed Head,"
which warns Macbeth of Macduff but Macbeth is not afraid of him and can eliminate
Macduff easily enough he feels. - The second apparition
is "a Bloody Child," and Macbeth feels empowered when he is told that "none of woman
born" (80) can hurt him. - The third apparition is "a Child
Crowned, with a tree in his hand," which tells Macbeth that he will not be defeated
"until Great Birnam Wood...shall come against him" (93). That makes Macbeth feel that he
is invincible.
There is still a nagging concern
for Macbeth about the previous prophecy which stated that Banquo's heirs shall also be
kings and so Macbeth presses the witches for more. The witches, reluctantly it seems,
reveal:
- "A show of eight Kings, and Banquo
last..." which disturbs Macbeth as there is a line of kings, all of whom look like
Banquo.
Macbeth does not see this last one as a
warning or question his purpose but is resolved to destroy all and any threat to him. He
immediately sets out to ensure the death Macduff's entire family, confident that he can
overcome any hindrance in his path.
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