Macbeth · Chapter
Scene IV explained
Malcolm, Siward, Macduff, and their army approach Birnam Wood.
What happens
Malcolm, Siward, Macduff, and their army approach Birnam Wood. Malcolm orders each soldier to cut a bough and carry it before them to conceal their numbers. They learn that Macbeth remains in Dunsinane, confident but abandoned by many followers. Macduff calls for disciplined soldiership, and Siward declares that the decisive battle will settle all uncertainties.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
The army uses boughs to disguise their true numbers, creating a deceptive appearance that will mislead Macbeth's scouts.
Kingship and Tyranny
Macbeth is described as a 'confident tyrant' whose forced followers are loyal only out of constraint, contrasting with the rightful cause of Malcolm's army.
Characters to notice
- Malcolm
Leads the army and devises the strategy of using Birnam Wood boughs for camouflage.
- Siward
Earl of Northumberland, marching with Malcolm and ready for battle.
- Macduff
Urges disciplined soldiership and awaits the true outcome of the coming conflict.
- Angus
Among the thanes marching with Malcolm's forces.
- Lennox
Present among the allied forces advancing toward Dunsinane.
Key passages
“Let every soldier hew him down a bough And bear’t before him: thereby shall we shadow The numbers of our host and make discovery Err in report of us.”
Have each soldier cut a branch and carry it in front of him, so we can hide the size of our army and confuse any enemy scouts.
Malcolm's tactical order to use branches as camouflage, fulfilling the witches' prophecy that Birnam Wood would come to Dunsinane.
“We learn no other but the confident tyrant Keeps still in Dunsinane, and will endure Our setting down before’t.”
We hear nothing else except that the overconfident tyrant remains in Dunsinane and will allow us to besiege him there.
Siward reports Macbeth's decision to stay in his castle rather than meet them in the field.