Reading Journal, Act IV, 'Macbeth'

Scene 1:

• ‘Round about the cauldron go; In the poisoned entrails throw’ ‘Double, double, toil and trouble.’ – is this Shakespeare trying to reiterate to the audience that the witches are still ever present, and powerful? They are casting a spell of some kind – is this presented towards Macbeth again?
• ‘Beware Macduff’. This is the only ‘clue’ the witches give to Macbeth, but immediately he will ‘make assurance double sure, And take a bond of fate.’ – he vows to kill Macduff. The witches do not give Macbeth a reason, but he jumps straight to conclusions which shows either how much he trusts the witches, or how much of a hold they have over him; or a mixture of both.
• An obvious difference with this scene between the plans to kill Duncan is that Lady Macbeth is not present. She played an extreme role in persuading Macbeth to kill Duncan after hearing the witches’ prophecy, however, now, Macbeth has taken it upon himself. This shows he is more self-assured than originally thought. However, it could be argued it is due to the deterioration of his mind.
• This is further developed through the speed of the scene. The speed of carrying out and deciding to carry out the deeds is significantly faster than making the decision to kill Duncan. This is also portraying Macbeth’s downfall and his sanity declining.

Scene 2:

• The killing of Lady Macduff and her children can be portrayed in some interpretation as very shocking and horrifying to watch – perhaps to reiterate the horror of Macbeth’s deeds.
• ‘I have done no harm’ – Lady Macduff shows innocence, which adds to the shock and emotion of the scene.

Scene 3:

• ‘Tis called the Evil – A most miraculous work in this good king…he solicits heaven…pitiful to the eye…sundry blessings.’ – Malcolm compares King of England to Macbeth – he is every Macbeth is not.
• Ross first says that Macduff’s wife and children are ‘why, well’. He avoids telling Macduff straight away perhaps because it is a terrible message to bring. Shakespeare shows evidence of human nature here. Ross then pulls himself together and tells him.
• ‘Sinful Macduff’ – Macduff blames himself for the murders. It is important that the audience see Macduff’s reaction as it makes the revenge more prominent. It is the first time we see the consequences of a murder, which is heart-hitting. Enforces moral stance by the audience. Macduff now has personal reasons to overthrow the King.
• We are caused to question whether Macduff’s reaction or the murder is more important. Obviously this depends on interpretation, but Macduff’s reaction puts a human element into the play and detracts it from just mindless murder.  His guilt adds another dimension. However, the killing of an innocent woman and her children takes Macbeth’s murders to a new level – he had no reason himself to kill him and only went on the words of ‘Beware Macduff’. This is a chilling outcome to another of the witches’ prophecies.