Act four: Nature, Light vs Darkness

Act four

Natural:

Macbeth: “That I may tell pale-hearted-fear it lies,

And sleep in spite of thunder.” p.63 (85-86)

In this quote thunder is representing his guilt and evil and that with Macduff dead he will not have to have any fear of his secret getting out; he will be sleeping like a baby.

Third Appatition: “Macbeth shall never vanquished be until

Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill

Shall come against him.”p.64 (92-94)

This apparition says that only when the forest moves to high Dunsinane Hill, Macbeth can be killed. The forest moving seems highly improbable so Macbeth believes there is nothing to worry about.

Ross: “From what we fear, yet know not what we fear,

But float upon a wild and violent sea

Each way and move.” p.68 (20-22)

This quote is saying that fear makes the sea act up and while nature is wild, so are the mens actions on earth. That the sea is representative of the actions fear will make mankind do.

Macduff: “In nature is a tyranny; it hath been

Th’ untimely emptying of the happy throne” p.73 (67-68)

Nature is acting out and causing trouble which also represents the throne; Ever since the weather has been bad, the king and the country have been falling apart in the sense of violence.

Light vs Darkness:

Macbeth: “How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags

What is ‘t you do?” p.62 (46-48)

In this quote Macbeth is saying that with midnight and darkness comes the witches and evil. He asks them what other mischif they are doing now.

Malcom: “The night is long that never finds the day.” p.80 (240)

Malcolm and England is declaring war on Scotland and Macbeth so the long period of darkness, symbolising a long period of evil, will not end soon. The day will not arrive so the conflicts are not soon over.