In Act 4 of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," Macbeth reacts with a mix of intrigue and growing paranoia to the witches' prophecies during their second encounter. The witches present him with three apparitions, each giving him cryptic insights about his future:
-
The First Apparition: A floating head warns Macbeth to beware of Macduff. This revelation provokes an immediate sense of fear and urgency in Macbeth, who starts to see Macduff as a threat.
-
The Second Apparition: A bloody child tells Macbeth that no man born of a woman will harm him. This gives Macbeth a sense of invulnerability, leading him to become overconfident in his power and security.
-
The Third Apparition: A crowned child holding a tree informs Macbeth that he will not be vanquished until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. This further reinforces his mistaken belief in his invincibility.
Following these prophecies, Macbeth becomes increasingly ruthless and paranoid. He decides to take immediate and violent action against those he perceives as potential threats, particularly Macduff. His response illustrates a deepening moral decay and a commitment to securing his power at all costs, leading him to order the massacre of Macduff's family.
Overall, Macbeth's reaction to the witches’ visions reflects his descent into tyranny and madness, fueled by an overconfidence in the prophecies that ultimately leads to his downfall.