MacBeth :: Character Analysis, Classics

In Shakespeares Macbeth, the three witches give Macbeth a false sense of security with their apparitions of truths. Instead, they canvas to be harmful for Macbeth who takes too much comfort and confidence in his interpretation of the truths. In the first apparition, a floating head warns Macbeth to look out Macduff. The apparition confirms Macbeths own fears saying he has already guessed as much. In the second apparition, a bloody squirt tells Macbeth, N ane a woman born shall harm Macbeth (4.1, p. 96). Believing everyone is born of woman, Macbeth takes relief in the idea that he will never be harmed. Although, the apparition does reserve a truth, but unbeknownst to Macbeth, Macduff was not of woman born rather from his mothers womb / untimely ripped (5.9 p. 349). Macduff was born through caesarian section after his mother died hence the bloody child in the apparition. In the third apparition, a crowned child holding a tree, tells Macbeth he is safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. Again, the apparition deceives Macbeth the way he perceives it thought process Birnam Wood cannot move to Dunsinane Hill. Later, a messenger tells Macbeth the trees of Birnam wood are pass on toward Dunsinane. Malcolms soldiers carry the tree branches to Dunsinane making the apparition truthful. The crowned child in the apparition is Malcolmthe future king after Macbeth. Finally in the last apparition, a procession of eight crowned kings walks by, the last one carrying a mirror. Banquos ghost walks at the end of the line. The witches vanish in advance Macbeth could get a meaning behind the apparition.