- Macbeth treats the witches differently in Act IV compared to the first time he met them, in Act I, Scene i. In what way does he treat them differently and why? Are there any ways that he treats them the same as before?
- Discuss Macbeth's interpretation of the first three apparitions? Why does he insist on seeing the fourth apparition?
- Response due Monday, September 21.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
After Act IV of Macbeth
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In Act IV, there are many things happening in Macbeth's life. When he first meets the witches in Act I, he doesn't truly take their prophecies seriously. In other words, he was more skeptical about the prophecies, and he didn't let what the witches said guide his actions-that is, until lady Macbeth convinced him otherwise. At first in Act I, Macbeth said, "I know I am Thane of Glamis, but how of Cawdor?" (I, iii, 71-72). This shows how he did like what he heard, but didn't read too much into it. In other words, he was like saying "That would be nice, but me? How will that happen?" However, by the time he sees them again in Act IV, so much other things happened. He had already killed two very honorable men, he had the king's heirs out of the country, and he had already taken the witches' initial prophecies to a much higher level. He treats them differently, with higher regard and with more seriousness because when he comes the second time, hes more demanding, more anxious to see what they have to say because this time he beleives them, since, after all, their old prophecy turned out to be true. Now credulous about what the witches had to say, he wanted to see what they had to say about his future and what new challenges would come his way.
The first apparition warned Macbeth to beware of Macduff: "Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff" (IV i 71). He interpreted this warning as an "I was right, I did notice that Macduff wasn't at the ceremony" He thought that to take care of this problem, he should kill Macduff's family and castle. The second apparition told Macbeth that "none of woman born shall harm Macbeth" (IV, i 80-81). He didn't even worry about this, I actually think this prophecy made him overconfident. He assumed that no human would kill him, because every man is born from a woman. He didn't consider that men born from c-section weren't truly naturally born by woman, so he felt he had nothing to fear, that no other Thane would kill him, that Malcolm nor Donalbain would come and kill him. Lastly, the third apparation said that Macbeth would never be beat until "Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him. " (IV, i 93-94). Basically, this prophecy said that Macbeth would not be beaten until the woods moved up the hill. He thought this would never happen, because it said that the trees would start moving. Of course, trees aren't moving creatures and can't climb up hills, so he assumed he would be in power forever. He insists on seeing the fourth apparition because he wanted to know whether Banquo's issue or death would ever "reign in this [his] kingdom" (IV i 103).
In act I Macbeth is almost making fun of the witches-after all he never thought that the Thane of Cawdor would be killed for treason and later he would acquire this position (foreshadowing much?). He even kids about the witches prophecy with Banquo and later, after he speaks with lady Macbeth, decides to delve further into this. After noticing that the withces prophecies become true-with a little help form his evil and willingness to kill other men like the king and Banquo, Macbeth regards the withces as oracles. When he goes to visit them at Acheron, he feels powerful because he is king but also weary of what the withces might have to say. He is arrogant as soon as he starts to realize that the prophecies made by the withces favor him. I dont think he treats them in a similar fashion than the first time except for the fact that he deprecates them by calling them hags and ugly like he did in Act I. However, Macbeth is now more reckless and he is willing to "spurn fate, scorn death, and bear his hopes above wisdom, grace, and fear" (III v 30-31) in order to know what else the witches have in store for him. As each prophecy goes by, he becomes more and more confident since he dumbly assumes that no man of woman born does not exist, therefore he shall be king forever: he omits the possibility of c-section which is as we later know the case of Macduff's birth. Also, Macbeth believes it is impossible for Birnam Wood to come to Dunsinane sinc e aofrest can't just decide to go up a hill to a castle-it is inanimate.
Macbeth's greatest flaw is hindsight, or the i-knew-it-all-along syndrome. When the first apparition tells him "Beware Macduff!" (IV i 71-72) he assumes that he was right in suspecting of Macduff all along, ergo all of his other assumptions are right. He quickly resolves this by being "bloody, bold, and resolute" (IV i 78)and decides to kill Lady Macduff and his son.
In order to satisfy his overgrowing curiosity, Macbeth decides he wants to see the fourth apparition or show of Eight Kings. he does this to know if Banquo's descent will ever come to rule Scotland-if the apparition says it will happen, this means that Macbeth's reign will end one day or the other, something that Macbeth clearly does not want to happen.
Upon meeting the witches, in Act I, Macbeth is amused by their actions and appearance, they look out of this world. They claim that he will soon me Thane of Cowdor, which seems very much impossible to Macbeth. When they tell him this news, he asks "I know i am Thane of Glamis, but how of Cawdor?" (I,iii,71-72) because it is so improbable that he would reach this noble position. However, when he meets them again in act IV, he has already become Thane of Cowdor, making him believe in the Witches' prophecies. Also, he has told Lady Macbeth, who has a big influence on him and his decisions, and she encourages to believe what the Witches say. He now considers them oracles. After this prophecy became true, Macbeth was eager to know what the Witches had to say about his future, so he respects them more and believes in them. The first apparition warned Macbeth about Macduff, it told him, "beware Macduff" (IV, i, 71). The second one told him that no man born of a woman would kill him, but he didn't take into consideration that men born from c section weren't necessarily considered born of women. The third apparition said that he would be in power until the trees moved up the hill, and this is obviously impossible, to Macbeth became over confident about his reign. The reason he wanted to see the fourth apparition was because he wanted to know it Banquo's descent would ever reign Scotland, because if it did, then he would be out of power.
Comparing Macbeth's experiences with the Weird Sisters in both acts one and two, the greatest difference between them is Macbeth’s eagerness to know the future. In Act I, he is caught by surprise as the witches prophesize things he believes to be impossible. But, being corrupted by the witches’ accurate fortune telling, he is much more demanding in their second meeting: ¨I conjure you, by that which you profess, howe’er you come to know it, answer me… to what I ask you¨ (IV, i, 50-61). In Act I, it was Banquo who bade the witches to tell him more. In Act IV, however, Macbeth visits the sisters alone, asking specific questions concerning him and his future as king. It is clear that his insistence is caused by the talent of the witches itself; the witches’ accurate naming of him as Thane of Cawdor and King has led him to yearn for more prophetic sentences which he can use to his advantage.
The apparitions Macbeth sees in Act IV instill differing responses on his part. The first apparition (¨Beware Macduff!¨) merely confirms his already present fears, encouraging him to carry on with his plans to kill Macduff (IV, i, 72-74). The second apparition, that of a bloody child, reassures Macbeth of his standing as king, but does not deter him from going to extreme and criminal means to ensure his crown’s permanence. The third apparition, which leads him to believe that he will be king until he dies of old age, serves as a final guarantee of Macbeth’s triumph. To any outside observer, the threesome of apparitions should be enough. However, Macbeth’s growing ambition leads him to desire more knowledge, and he questions the witches, claiming that he ¨will be satisfied¨ (IV, i, 104). His now insatiable hunger for power has gotten the best of him, and, as we now know, will lead to his unavoidable downfall
The first time Macbeth encounters the wierd sisters he sees them as exactly that- wierd sisters.. talking wierd talk.. saying wierd and ridiculous things.. "What are these
So withered and so wild in their attire,
That look not like th' inhabitants o' th' Earth,
And yet are on ’t?—Live you?" (I,iii, 39-42) He takes them as a joke, as unnatural beings belonging to a circus. In the fourth act however, he treats them almost with respect, or at least admiration as to their magic and knowing of unknown knowledge. He demands some information about his condition because what they've said has come true, so they must have supernatural powers. He still keeps his distance from them, however- you do not want to get too familiar with witches.
Macbeth takes the first apparition as a bit of a warning, but also of reassurance that what he thought before was right. So, he decides to kill the lot of Macduffs. He is, however, appeased by the second and third apparition because- taken literally- they are saying that no harm will come to him. This is the magic of Shakespeare's plot twists and play on words. He insists on seeing the fourth apparition because he wants to know whether or not Banquo's killing is for naught- or really whether his descendants will still be kings (which is really ridiculous if one thinks about it- because if fate is what rules their lives, then by merely killing Banquo he did not alter fate... the sisters said HE would not be king, but his descendants WOULD).
Macbeth treats the witches differently in Act IV compared to the first time he met them in Act I. In Act I, Macbeth treats the three witches as if they were weird strange trio babbling about nonsense like Macbeth becoming thane of Cawdor and becoming the king. In addition, Macbeth becomes skeptical due to the weird sisters’ dramatic promises. But later on as the story progresses, Macbeth realizes that the prophecies are becoming true; therefore, he becomes more aware of the witches’ prophecies and acknowledges the power and the accuracy of the witches’ prophecies and so he treats them more seriously than before. Macbeth in one way treats them the same as before as in keeping distance with them since he knows they are wicked creatures of darkness.
In Act IV, Macbeth goes to the witches for more answers to his future. The witches summon symbolic yet sinister apparitions. First an armed head appears and warns about Macduff. Macbeth interprets this as a warning and says to the witches that they “hast harped [his] fear aright” (IV, i, 74). This shows that Macbeth feared Macduff and later plans to kill Macduff’s family. For the second apparition, a bloody child appears and tells him that “none of woman born shall harm Macbeth” (IV.i.96–97). Macbeth unable to realize the twist of these words, interprets this apparition as that no human being will harm him since all humans are woman born. This made him confident and made him believe that no one will harm him and that he will be invincible. Later for the third apparition, a crowned child holding a tree tells him that he is safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. Macbeth interprets this as longevity of his throne. He insists on seeing the fourth apparition since he was curious and wanted to know if “Banquo’s issue ever reign in this kingdom” (IV, i, 102~103) in which his reign will be over. Unable to realize the true twisted cruel nature of mind confusing witches, Macbeth believes his interpretations and believes that he has an advantage by the information provided by the apparitions.
Macbeth treats the three witches differently by changing his views on their preaching. In the first Act, Macbeth treats the three witches as freaks of nature that in no way could be creatures of the earth. He listens to their preaching with amusement and skepticism. He enjoys the thought of becoming the thane of Cawdor as well as king but because he knows the thane of Cawdor is alive and well “By Sinel’s death I know I am thane of Glamis ...Speak I charge you.” (I iii 71-78) As the story continues and both of the prophecies come true he views on their power of insight changes. This change occurs because the first time he hear the preaching at first he did not act on it and was left hoping that the prophecies would come true. As the act continues he sees that the only way for the second prophecy to come true is by taking the matter into his own hands and killing the King. In Act IV, Macbeth comes to the three witches to learn what actions he must take to keep his position as king and fight against all those who oppose him. Although Macbeth acknowledges their powers he still treats them as creatures that are beneath him. This may be one of the reasons Hecate and the other three witches work together to destroy his life because he uses their powers for selfish reasons.
The first apparition Macbeth interprets the first apparition as a confirmation of his previous thoughts of Macduff “Beware Macduff. Beware the Thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough.” (IV i 71-72) After Macbeth noticed that Macduff was not present for his crowning Macbeth knew Macduff was not loyal to him and this apparition gave him the confirmation he needed.
The second apparition Macbeth interprets to be telling him to not only have no fear of death because no man could ever harm him but also to go out and be unmerciful and kill all those who stand in his way. Anyone who might pose a threat towards him he must kill them as a way to insure his life as king. “Be bloody, bold and resolute...Shall harm Macbeth.”(IV i 79-81)
The third apparition Macbeth interprets the preaching as a sign that he will never lose his kingdom. “Be lion-mettled, proud and take no care...Shall come against him” (IV i 90-93) He is filled with confidence that he will never be defeated.
He demanded to see the fourth apparition because he wants to know if Banquo’s sons will ever be kings and if he will lose his reign. He is baffled by this last preaching because from the first three apparitions he can see no defeat but from the last apparition he can see that he will not last long as the king.
The witches are Macbeth's only escape from his yielding fear. That's the main reason for him to treat the weird sisters with distinction. In Act I he did not need them, he had no fear, he just had the glory of being a brave soldier, now he has angst and the accuracy of the witches telling of him becoming Thane of Cawdor and king, rest now in his way out.
The first aparation "Beware Macduff" is simply a stemming fact to his utmost fear. The second apartion gives him the assurance that he's unbeatable, and gives him more ambition, and personally I think incentives more blood thirst for him.The third apparition leading him to believe of his success assures him. But it is now the insatiable power, that leads to his death. His ambition turned against his principles, and his past will.
In Act I, Macbeth treats the witches as inferior to him. He is also confused to what they are. He says “Speak, if you can: what are you?” (I. iii. 48) because he is not sure of what he is facing. He makes fun of their predictions. He does not take them seriously at all. He even says “I am Thane of Glamis, but how of Cawdor?” (I. iii.72-73). He continues to question what the witches predict for he does not understand how it can possibly be that he will be Thane of Cawdor and King. Once he sees that one of their predictions becomes a reality, he becomes less skeptical. Even when Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor, he does not know how he will be king until Lady Macbeth starts to influence him. Here is where he starts to act in order to fulfill the prophecies said by the three witches. When Macbeth encounters them again in Act IV he is much more demanding. He demands to have several questions answered (always treating the witches as inferior to him as he did in Act I) because now he believes what the witches have to say. He wanted to know what the future held for him to protect himself and the crown.
After seeing the first three apparitions, Macbeth is not worried. The first apparition said “Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff. Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough.” (IV. i. 73-74) Macbeth already suspected Macduff so this was like his confirmation to suspect him and another reason to kill Macduff and his family. The next apparition states that nobody born from a woman will harm Macbeth. Macbeth quickly thinks that no one can kill him since all men are born from women, but this actually meant that no one born naturally from a woman would kill him. A man born through cesarean could kill him. The last apparition tells him that until Birnam Wood goes to Dunsinane Hill he will be king. Obviously he believes that no forest can move so he is safe. For now he believes that he is safely on the throne and that he has nothing or no one to be afraid of.
Macbeth wants to see the fourth apparition because he wants to know about the part of the prophesy relating to Banquo and his descendents. He wants to know if Banquo’s son will come to rule Scotland. If the apparition shows that they will, then Macbeth is in trouble for the crown will no longer be his. Macbeth in the end does not fully comprehend the witches’ predictions. He interprets them too literally and does not look for the hidden meaning which is where the true predictions are. However, by this time his hands are already too full of blood and his downfall cannot be stopped.
Macbeth’s first impression of the witches might have been one of disgust, but as the witches loosened their tongues Macbeth disregarded their appearances and focused on the improbability of what the witches prophesied, but although what they said was nonsense at the time Macbeth didn’t let it go that easily and asked the witches to give him more information in a voice of disbelief and skepticism “Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more. By Sinel’s death I know I am thane of Glamis. But how of Cawdor? The thane of Cawdor lives, A prosperous gentleman, and to be king Stands not within the prospect of belief..”(I.iii.71-75). Moments later in Act I Ross and Angus bring news for him on behalf of the king they inform Macbeth that he is know thane of cawdor, he and Banquo were in disbelief since the witches’ words were becoming true; The witches gained Macbeth’s credibility. In Act IV Macbeth’s insecurities reappear, since his fears of loosing the crowns are stronger ever. Macbeth becomes anxious, so He decides to seek the witches, who as far as he is concerned are the only source of truth, but this time he entered with great confidence, for he spoke in a demanding tone because he was now king and was uneasy about his future, and trust giving himself to the will of the witches and; nevertheless preoccupied, since his destiny was on the line.
The witches answer his demands with three different apparitions; the first one was warning him against Macduff, giving sense his suspicions and therefore ordered the murder of his family, after the news brought by Lennox to eliminate the threat using the excuse of treachery, but backfires at the end. The second apparition tells him that none of woman born will harm him, referring to macduff and he decides to kill him himself just in case, but does the murder of his family changes this into the opposite thing and macduff will become his doom?. Witches are tricky because they never include disclaimers, which support their deceitfulness. The third apparition warns him that until the forest comes and gets him her will stop being king(again the witches don’t say how the forest is going to move ), Macbeth finds this hysterical because of the implausibility of this actually occurring, but I find irony in this since he came to believe in the remote possibility of becoming king so why not on The possibility of the forest moving.
Macbeth still has some doubts on Banquos prophecy, and wants to know if his son Fleance will be threat to his crown now that he has discarded macduff as a threat, so he asks for a fourth and last apparition which shows 8 kings all alike, Macbeth doesn’t know what does this means, but I believe that it serves to show Macbeth’s incapability to conformed and show how he always wants to know and control everything in order to relief his insecurities of loosing the crown .the apparition ultimately means is that his hunger for control will lead him to his doom but he is to blinded by his fears(fleance , banquo, and macduff) t see to see it.
At the beggining of the play Macbeth acts skeptic towards the witches and their prophesies. This is natural since their appearences and their way opf being are not those of a normal person. However, as he is shortly after told that he is now the Thane of Cawdor he sees that thew first part of the phrophesy has come true. After this happens, he now starts taking more into consideration the words of the witches. Before this happened Macbeth was a little bit condescending towards the witches and acted dubious towards their assertions.
AS the plot progresses Macbeth becomes even more concerned with what the witches have to say.Now that he is fuill of ambition he relies almost entirely on the prophesies. Every action he does revolves around the idea of trying to chnage these prophesies. For example he tries to kill Fleance sincethe prophesy said that he might kill Macbeth. Thus, the witches gain a whole diferent level of cridibility. He tre4ats them with more respect since he wants to get more information from them. However he treats them the same in the sense that he is still only using them in order to have better knowledge of his future.
As the witches continue to inform him things in their apparitions, they leave a little more space for interpretation; thus, in a way, missleading Macbeth. The first apparition said:"Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff" (IV i 71). Macbeth had already noticed that Macduff was not at the dinner party so he grew even more skeptical of him. Ultimately he ends up killinghis faily and "taking over his castle" which ultimatley ends up worse for Macbeth.The second apparition "none of woman born shall harm Macbeth" (IV, i 80-81), is also harmfull for Macbeth sdince it tells him that no humas will ever be able to harm him. Thus tis mnakes him more tranquile and less aware of everything that can harm him. Ultimastely, the thisr apparition "Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him. " (IV, i 93-94), makes him more confused since he never believes that the forest can come up to him or at least not before years within its growth. The confusion of the three prophesies make him ultimately lose the bzttle of his ambitions. This is why it was so important for him tolisten to the fourth apparition because this way he thought he would find a feasible solution to remain king.
In act I Macbeth reacts with simple curiosity to the sisters’ forecast, and he does not truly believe what they are saying. “Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more…” (I, iii, 70) In act IV Macbeth is eager to know more from the witches due to the fact that the prophecies were fulfilled, although with a little help of his dreadful actions. He is willing to do whatever it takes in order to hear his future. “Even till destruction sicken, answer me to what I ask you.” (IV, i, 60-61) The curiosity is stronger in Act V, because now he actually believes they foretell. Macbeth interprets the three apparitions as reassurances of his suspicions (of Macduff), and positive advices (to get rid of Macduff) and not as obstacles (because everyone is born from women and forests can’t move). Macbeth feels powerful, he feels no threat from the apparitions but because he does not know the other sides to them. “For thy good caution thanks: thou has harped my fear aright.” (IV, i, 73-73) “Macduff what need I fear of thee?” (IV, i, 82) “That will never be, who can impress the forest…” (IV, i, 94-95) Macbeth’s real question is whether Banquo’s legacy will ever reign the kingdom, and this is why he insists for the fourth apparition.
In Act I Macbeth treats the witches with a certain degree of contempt and cynicism, he and Banquo even joke about the prophecies that are revealed to them. It is not until the prophecy begins to come true that Macbeth takes heed and begins to give the witches divinations their due weight. In Act IV Macbeth has already seen the truth of the witches words, and is fearful for the meaning of the second part of their prophecy that Banquo's seed would inherit the throne. He treats the witches with more respect and seems to be more conscious of their power.
When confronted with the apparitions Macbeths responses differ. To the first apparition he is grateful for the warning, but wishes to know more despite the witches command that he not speak back to the specters. To the bloody child he responds positively, interpreting its message as a proclamation of his indestructibility. The child with the crown and tree in hand speaks to Macbeth what appear to be good omens. It says that “Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill” and the king sees this as an impossible thing (Act IV, i, 96-98). He demands to see the fourth apparition because he is dying to know “shall Banquo’s issue ever Reign in this kingdom (Act IV, i, 106-107).” He is obviously still haunted by the first prophecy the witches made at the beginning of the play. He is then presented with the ghost of Banquo and his descendents, a line that stretches out forever with much power. He is haunted by this and resolves to stop it from occurring.
In Act I Macbeth treats the witches with a certain degree of contempt and cynicism, he and Banquo even joke about the prophecies that are revealed to them. It is not until the prophecy begins to come true that Macbeth takes heed and begins to give the witches divinations their due weight. In Act IV Macbeth has already seen the truth of the witches words, and is fearful for the meaning of the second part of their prophecy that Banquo's seed would inherit the throne. He treats the witches with more respect and seems to be more conscious of their power.
When confronted with the apparitions Macbeths responses differ. To the first apparition he is grateful for the warning, but wishes to know more despite the witches command that he not speak back to the specters. To the bloody child he responds positively, interpreting its message as a proclamation of his indestructibility. The child with the crown and tree in hand speaks to Macbeth what appear to be good omens. It says that “Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill” and the king sees this as an impossible thing (Act IV, i, 96-98). He demands to see the fourth apparition because he is dying to know “shall Banquo’s issue ever Reign in this kingdom (Act IV, i, 106-107).” He is obviously still haunted by the first prophecy the witches made at the beginning of the play. He is then presented with the ghost of Banquo and his descendents, a line that stretches out forever with much power. He is haunted by this and resolves to stop it from occurring.
When Macbeth encounters the witches for the first time he doesn't take anything they said serious. He jokes about them with Banquo. But then he is more serious with them since he now sees that their profecies become true. This satisfies him because of the power he has gained, frightens him because of the second part of the witches' visions, and makes him more demanding from them. But maybe this is because he believes that the witches somehow have control over the future. They cast spells and make potions in cauldrons, “eye of newt and toe of frog, / Wool of bat and tongue of dog” (IV.i.14–15). This may relate to how everything they say become true because everything they say they can control. Even if Macbeth doesn't suspect that the witches control things, he knows they speak the truth and takes their profecies seriously.This is why he insists and even demands another profecy from the wierd sisters. After the first three apparitions, he remains too confident since he now thinks that no man can harm him. He puts more attention to Macduff's behavior, and he thought that he would never be beaten since it was, as he considered it, impossible. He interpreted the apparitions as he wanted and of course he would never be satisfied with them since he would always want to know more and to know if the second part of the initial prophecies where the descendants from Banquo would rule was true.
The reason why Macbeth treats the witches differently this time is because he is eager to know more about future up comings and events. He is striving to know what else will happen to him and he wants to know whether his kingdom is safe or not. The first time Macbeth talks to the witches he doesn’t go willingly, yet the second time he does go on purpose. He does treat them the same in the sense that he knows he is messing with evil spirits so he demands to know future dealings by cursing at them and screaming at them as well.The second time he visits the witches he is shocked to see that they are performing some evil conjure and because of it he has four different apparitions. The first is a floating head that tells him to beware of Macduff, and Macbeth says that he was already suspicious about him. The second is a bloody child that tells him that “none of woman born shall harm Macbeth” (IV, 1, 80-81). Then, a crowned king tells him that his kingdom will be safe until Birnam woods moves to Dunsinane Hill. The fourth and last apparition is a procession of eight crowned kings followed by the ghost of Banquo, and Macbeth is confused about this vision and demands to know what it means; however, the witches vanish and he is left puzzled.
Macbeth has to react differently to the witches because now he knows they are serious and their prophecy's indeed come true. In Act I when he first meets the witches he just thinks they are a bunch of crazy maybe even drunken ladies; however, as the story disembowels he realizes they are completely true. Since he now knows this he can question them further and find out whether the rest of the prophecy is true. This is why he heads for the witches' place and talks to them. The only difference is that know that he means business he talks to them as subordinates and even tries to command them as if they were ordinary people. I think in part he is blinded by his insatiable ambition because he is in brink of madness and what is causing this is his everlasting doubt of wether or not the prophecy will come true. Tis is another reason why his attitude towards the witches changes. The second time he sees them he is determined to find out the truth no matter what will be the consequence. I don;t think Macbeth treats them the same as before because the circumstances are different and now his motives are different. Everything has changed; therefore, he can't treat them the same as before.
Macbeth insists on seeing the fourth apparition because he feels that the fourth apparition will decide his fate. Not only tha tbut he asks if Banquo's sons will be King's. Macbeth says to the witches, "Tell me, if you art can tell so much: shall Banquo's issue ever reign in this kingdom (IV, i, 101-103)?" He insist on asking this because if the apparition turned out to be many sons of Banquo being king it meant that he would have to be dead. This meant the doom of Macbeth. The other apparitions meant nothing to him because he thought they were to unlikely to become true. The apparitions had said beware Macduff, no woman born can ever hurt Macbeth, and until Birnam Wood reach Dunsinane Macbeth shall not fall. These statements, MAcbeth thought, were impossible to come true; therefore, he had to see if BAaquo's sons were going to be Kings or not. The final apparition reveals his fate and it is one he doesn't like because it reveals Banquo's sons as Kings the very thought he had feared for so much.
Macbeth's reactions to the witches prophecies evolve throughout the play. In Act I, his curiosity is what leads him into listening to the witches' visions, although he remains very prudent and does not entirely believe what they are telling him, “Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more…” (I, iii, 70). In Act IV, his attitude towards the witches becomes less apprehensive. After having realized that the prophecies did come true, Macbeth wishes to know more and treats the witches with regard. He is looking forward to hear what the witches have to say and is hopefull for his future.
The apparitions warned Macbeth of his destiny. The first, proved that he had to beware of Macduff, "Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff!" (IV, i, 71). The second explained that "none women born shall harm Macbeth"(IV, i, 81). The third, protected Macbeth from any violence, "Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him. " (IV, i 93-94). All of these apparitions taught Macbeth the truth of his future and how he will be treated. He insisted in knowing the fourth apparition because he was eager to know wether Banquo's death would come to "reign in this kingdom" (IV, i, 103).
When Macbeth meets the witches for the first time he has no idea of their power or who they are he treats them as monsters "What are these
So withered and so wild in their attire,
That look not like th' inhabitants o' th' Earth,
And yet are on ’t?"
even when they give they give Macbeth his future as future Thane of Cawdor and King, he dosen't understand why they would say such things. Later Macbeth learns the true power of the weird sisters and therefore respects their power and when he seems them again he treats them with respect and belives all that is told to him.
The apparitions are taken very seriously by Macbeth when the first one tells him to beware of Macduff, Macbeth starts to see that he must take care of this and thats why he attacks Macduff castle. In the second aparition when he is told that "None of woman born will harm Macbeth" he takes it as a way that he is unstopable and that noone will be able to kill him (this gives him a fake feeling of safty, for he didn't expect any alternative). The third apparition tells him that he would only be defeated when Birnam Woods would climb to the castle, again making him feel invincible, not expecting any other way for the wood to move. The reason that Macbeth insists on the fourth apparition is to see if Banquo's descent is a threat to his kingship.
In this scene Macbeth seems as if he no longer knows who else not to trust and is not sure of what else to do. It seems as if his intentions are no longer to keep the crown but rather to keep on doing wrongful acts, thinking that it will assure his possession of the crown. However this is the scene in which everyone starts to raise suspicion and he looses the few loyal followers that he had. Due to his erratic behaviour; seeing Banquo’s ghost, and going back to the witches. In scene one Banquo and Macbeth stumble upon the witches and he after he is told his prophecy, he takes them as a joke. But as things start to unfold and the witches’ prophecies begin to come true Macbeth believes them and starts to control his doings according to what the witches told him. In this act it seems as if he reaches a wall and he doesn’t know what else to do, so he goes in search of the witches wanting to ask them how they knew what they knew. “ How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags! What is it you do?” (IIII, I, 48-49) he treats them with certain arrogance as if he knew what they were and knew what they were capable of. He demands to know they knew that he were to become king and that Banquo’s children were to become kings. So they tell him to beware of Macduff, hence Macbeth sends for Macduff in fear that he might run away to England to speak with Malcolm. However this is already done so he sends to destroy his palace and kill everyone within it, including his wife and babes. The witches make three apparitions appear before Macbeth. The first one tells him to beware of Macduff, thane of fife. The second apparition tells him that’s he shall not be harmed by any man born of woman. The third apparition warns him that he shall never be vanquished until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. This is the last of the apparitions; however Macbeth demands to know if Banquo’s children will ever rein. “Shall Banquo’s issue ever reign in this kingdom?” (IIII, I, 102-103) however the witches never tend to his wish to know this, and this is why Macbeth demands a fourth apparition, one that never comes.
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