This scene is particularly special. The three witches arrive back in this very scene back from the start of scene 1. And they came to Macbeth along side Hecate. But what makes THIS particular scene so significant..? And why it is like this, let’s see. As in the start of the scene when the witches appeared, it has this aura that something bad is happening. And something bad WAS actually happening. The witches were creating some evil spell or potion.
During the time when Macbeth had entered the witches domain he welcomes himself with a very unsatisfying words to them. “How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags!
What is’t you do?” Funny isn’t it how Macbeth goes from shocked to just plain disgusting. But as soon as the apparitions arrive, I have an explanation for each and every one of them and what they mean. But not only are these “Evil” spirits that come from the witches cauldron, these 3 apparitions represent Macbeth himself. One for each part of him.
1st Apparition: A helmet wearing severed head. He comes with the words that make Macbeth question: “Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff;
Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough.” This gives Macbeth the warning that Macduff plans to recreate an army in England where he flees to escape Macbeth’s fury.
2nd Apparition: The Bloody Child explains to him with a shout of: “Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!” Then goes on. “Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn
The power of man, for none of woman born
Shall harm Macbeth.” Meaning from this particular apparition that Macbeth can’t be killed by anyone born from a woman, What does that mean. A couple of men must give birth to kill Macbeth? Well we’ll find out another time.
3rd Apparition: A Child with a crown on his head carrying a tree in one hand. He speaks: “Be lion-mettled, proud; and take no care
Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are:
Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until
Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill
Shall come against him.” This means that Macbeth must not fear until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.
But then Macbeth goes rogue and then goes to telling the witches that he shall curse them if they did not answer his question.
But to conclude this significant scene is that these Apparitions are apart of Macbeth, but in a different plain of dimension and probably doomtelling or truth revealed to Macbeth’s line as king.