Act IV — Important Questions

No man born of a woman shall ever harm him

Step 1: The Second Apparition is a bloody child, which symbolically represents Macduff, who was 'untimely ripped' from his mother's womb (born by Caesarean section). Step 2: It tells Macbeth: 'Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.' Step 3: Macbeth interprets this to mean he is invincible, since all men are born of women. Step 4: The irony is that Macduff was not born in the conventional sense, making this prophecy a double-edged sword. Step 5: Options A, C, and D misrepresent the prophecy, making Option B the correct answer.

Macbeth shall never be vanquished until Birnam Wood marches to Dunsinane Hill

Step 1: The Third Apparition appears as a child wearing a crown and holding a tree — symbolising Malcolm and the soldiers who will carry branches from Birnam Wood as camouflage. Step 2: The prophecy states: 'Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him.' Step 3: Macbeth feels overjoyed because he believes a forest cannot physically move, making him feel invulnerable. Step 4: The prophecy is fulfilled in Act V when Malcolm's soldiers cut branches from Birnam Wood and carry them to Dunsinane. Step 5: Options A, C, and D are not part of t

A procession of eight kings descended from Banquo, followed by Banquo's ghost

Step 1: After the three apparitions, Macbeth desperately asks whether Banquo's descendants will ever rule Scotland. Step 2: The witches show him a procession of eight kings, each resembling Banquo, representing his line of successors. Step 3: The last king holds a mirror (glass) showing even more kings, symbolising a long royal line. Some carry 'two-fold balls and treble sceptres,' meaning they rule multiple kingdoms. Step 4: Banquo's ghost appears at the end, smiling and pointing to the kings as his own descendants. Step 5: This vision deeply disturbs Macbeth, confirming his worst fear that B

Macduff has fled to England

Step 1: After the witches vanish, Macbeth calls in Lennox. Step 2: Lennox informs him: 'Tis two or three, my lord, that bring you word Macduff is fled to England.' Step 3: This news enrages Macbeth because it confirms that he cannot control everyone and that time is working against him. Step 4: In response, Macbeth decides to act immediately and orders the attack on Macduff's castle, saying 'from this moment the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand.' Step 5: Options A, B, and D, while related to the broader plot, are not the specific news Lennox delivers in this scene