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The Rationality In Act Four Of William Shakespeare's Macbeth

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Though Act Four begins with the mysterious, and ambigous witches, the act itself is more sane then the previous ones. This might be since Macbeth is only present during the first scene, whereas more calm, rational characters appear in the latter half: Macduff, Lady Macduff, Malcolm, and Lennox. By comparing the rationality of Macbeth to other people present in Act Four, the more apparent is his loss of sanity (or gain of insanity). With the Weird Sisters present once again, they lead Macbeth through a series of visions, the second apparition ‘ensures’ Macbeths hold on throne, or so he thinks. In their saying that no man of woman-born can conquer him, he forgets to consider the loopholes, instead going on a fate-defying rant:
Then, live Macduff; …show more content…

By killing him, he believes it will ensure his safety and will conquer his fear, allowing him to “sleep in spite of thunder” peacefully. Yet what he sees afterwards, in a fourth vision, is the line of Banquo’s descendants, and a bloody Banquo expressing they are his. “Horrible sight! Now I see ‘tis true,/ Fro the blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon me/ And points at them for his.” (4.1.137-39) The apparition disappears, leaving Macbeth to ponder (and overthink) the significance of seeing Banquo again. Unlike Macbeth, however, Macduff seems to poise a rational mind, knowing that Macbeth is no longer reasonable or admirable, he declares “Not in the legions/Of horrid hell can come a devil more damned/In evils to top Macbeth.” (4.3.67-69) Expressing this to Malcolm shows a sense of his ethics, knowing his right from wrong, declaring Macbeth as more “evil” than “a devil.” Subsequently, after hearing of his family’s murders, Malcolm says “Be this whetstone of your sword. Let grief/Convert to anger. Blunt not the heart; enrage it. ” (4.3.268-9) Yet Macduff does not go off the rails, he might be enraged, but he is not clouded in his head. By “convert[ing grief] to anger,” it has given him ammunition to want revenge, not solely based on anger, but passion; something Macbeth only sees in the throne, yet Macduff finds in

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In Act 4 Scene 3b of Shakespeare's Macbeth, Malcolm, Macduff, and Ross discuss the current state of Scotland. Malcolm asks a doctor if the King is coming out, and the doctor responds positively, and explains that there are sick people who can only be cured by the King's touch. Malcolm tells Macduff that the illness is known as "the evil," and that the King has the power to cure it with a golden stamp and holy prayers. The King is also said to have the gift of prophecy and is known for being kind. Ross enters and tells them that Scotland is in a bad state, with frequent violence and death causing despair.

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In the second apparition that the witches shows Macbeth is, a bloody child that tells him, “Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn The power of man, for none of

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(8-10). This quote can show the reader how bad Macduff wants revenge and hopes for Macbeth to die. Macduff then goes on to say that he can kill Macbeth because of the fact he was born different and not technically from

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In another attempt to preserve his dominion, Macbeth slaughters Macduff’s entire family. Devising his plan in order to make an example of Macduff's abandonment he says, “The Castle of Macduff I will surprise... His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls.” (4.1) It is important to realize that Macbeth is further descending into madness by committing acts of irrational violence. Rather than relying on his subjects’ loyalty, Macbeth feels as if he must terrify them into subjugation.

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Macbeth's desire to "make assurance double sure" by having Macduff killed reveals his paranoia and his willingness to use violence to maintain his power. Macbeth believes that by eliminating all possible threats to his reign, he will be able to sleep peacefully and without fear. However, this ultimately leads to his downfall, as his violent actions bring about his own demise. Additionally, as declared in Document E, "I bear a charmed life, which must not yield to one of woman born. " This augments Macbeth's character flaw of overconfidence because despite the many warnings and signs that his reign is coming to an end, Macbeth remains overconfident and complacent.

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Primarily, Macduff’s inner conflict revolved around his trip to England. In doing so, he would be leaving his family defenseless, but in turn, he would be able to fight against Macbeth. This inner conflict results in Macduff leaving his family as it was more important to save Scotland which results in a better life for his family. “I pray you, school yourself; but, for your husband, He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows The fits o’ the season.” Macbeth (4.2.18-20)

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When our actions do not, our fears do make us traitors.” This is yet another example of the theme madness being portrayed in this story. Lady Macduff says that Macduff was full of madness, and that is why he fled, and that is what makes him a

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With this loss of morality comes an immense guilt that is depicted through a hallucination of Banquo, who Macbeth murdered earlier on in the book. “What man dare, i dare. / Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, / The armed rhinoceros, or th’ Hyrcan tiger; / Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves / Shall never tremble… If trembling I inhabit then, protest me / The baby of a girl. / Hence, horrible shadow!” (3.4.121-125, 3.4.127-128).

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Macduff went to England to find Malcolm, King Duncan’s son, who fled Scotland so he would not be killed like his father. Macbeth no longer considers Macduff loyal to him and becomes apprehensive. Macbeth consorts with the murderers again to kill Macduff’s family, “give to the edge o’ the sword his wife, babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line” (Act 4, Scene 1). When a messenger comes to deliver the news to Macduff, he becomes sad but Malcolm tells him “… Let grief convert to anger…” (Act 4, Scene 3).

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They told Macbeth that he was going to be king, and told Banquo that his children were going to be king. With the knowledge that there is a possibility to become king, along with the selfish human nature, noble Macbeth was easily swayed by this prophecy. At first, Macbeth’s conscience took care of his ambitions, he was afraid he would betray the king, because he knew that he was “his kinsman and his subject” (1.7.13). However as the three witches continue to encourage Macbeth with carefully chosen words, he eventually pushes his conscience away and committed crimes that were dishonourable. Macbeth, easily controlled by his ambitions, loses his noble and heroic title in fear of losing his power.

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