# Scene IV explained — Macbeth

> Chapter companion for Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/chapters