Act 4- R eading Journal

Act 4,Scene 1

• We realise for a change how Macbeth visits the witches, its been reveres usually we would see the witches overshadowing him. 
• starting of with the charm sets out tension for the rest of the scene.
• Macbeth is in almost in demand to know whats set out for the future, who the next killing is. We see how the witches have control over Macbeth, they may be the trigger to all the killings through manipulation. 
• A set of aspirations a presented by the witches which reveal Macbeth's false sense of security:
• First aspiration is an armed head which warns Macbeth from Macduff. 
• The second is a bloody child, who tells him that 'none of woman born/ shall harm Macbeth' lines 79-80.
• Third aspiration is a crowned child with a tree in its hand lines 91 onwards- 'Macbeth shall never be vanquished...him'. This can also be seen to drive Macbeth even more he knows that no one can move a forest, he then goes on to ask will Banquo's children be kings, a moment of jealousy... though he could be planning who to cut off the scene next
• Language used by Macbeth seems masculine, strong and takes the role of asserting his dominance. Intent to kill portrays it to the reader as sickening.
• Macduff has fled to England, revenge is done by killing his family. We see Macbeth's thought processes as automatically decisive where as at the beginning of the play Lady M. has to encourage him and be the backbone of the killings. 

Act 4, Scene 2

• Lady Macduff is told her children will be fatherless, she tries to inform her son about this though he has a lot more wisdom for his age than what the audience expect.
• 'The liars and swearers are fools; for there are liars and swearers enow to beat the honest men and hang.Line 58- said by Macduff's son, the first child that actually speaks in the play as well as surviving. see child's thought processes of moral understanding- presents child morality and innocence... Later the son is killed. 

Act 4, Scene 3

• Message that Scotland is about to be attacked b ten thousand men.When Macduff meets Malcolm remembering the misplaced trust in Macbeth...comparison is made Malcolm admits his lust, greed ad sin which presents Macbeth as an angel.
• Macduff is unaware of the death of his wife and Children, told they are 'at peace' which triggers to get revenge upon Macbeth urged by Malcolm.

 General Notes: Witches further extend the theme of doubling and equivocation, gives the effect that their speeches have double meanings, paradox and equivocation.

• The aspirations are equivocal messages to Macbeth, and they consciously know that he will only understand half of the words. Doesn't take the aspirations into account as much as he does with the witches prophecies and thinking if they will come true.
• When the murder scene takes place Lady Macduff makes references to the symbol of the bird. 'The poor wren.. the most diminutive of birds, will fight... owl.' Line 10. The metaphor becomes realistic when both are attacked. Also earlier Macbeth being the owl, with Lady Macduff trung to protect her son, becomes the wren. Its a pathos to the audience as wee see Macbeths son acting out the prey to Macbeth's murders.