ly to his absence. This time, however, it is due to Makduffes absence fromthe building of the castle at Dunsinanne. Makduffe sent workers to aid in the labor (as allthe other Thanes did) but failed to come in person (as all the other Thanes did). (pg. 174)Macbeth decides to return to the witches and see if they have any more predictions. Heenters their cave and demands more information. The witches summon forth their masters,apparitions whom they claim will have the answers Macbeth is looking for. The first master tellsMacbeth Beware Macduff! Beware the Thane of Fife (IV, i, 72-73).The second says for noneof woman born Shall harm Macbeth (IV, i, 81-82).The third warns Macbeth Macbeth shallnever be vanquished be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him(IV, i, 92-94). Macbeth then inquires about the prophecy given to Banquo regarding his royalchildren. A fourth master then appears as an apparition in the form of a line of eight crownedkings with Banquo at the end holding a mirror that displays more kings. Macbeth asks if thisprediction is true and he is told it is. With this the witches vanish again. With this information andthe warning to be wary of Macduff, Macbeth resolves to kill him and his entire family.In Holinsheds Makbeth receives predictions not from the witches masters butfrom wizzards. The witches masters used by Shakespeare are probably arepresentation of this, but most likely could not figure out how to incorporate their arrivalinto the plot, so he used apparitions in their place. The wizzards told Makbeth to takeheed of Makduffe as well as that he should never be slaine with man borne of aniewoman, nor vanquished till the wood of Bernane came to the castell of Dunsinane. Evenwith the reassurance from the wizzards, Makbeth decided to go to Makduffes home inFife and murder the Thanes wife and children.Lady Macduff is confused by the absence of her husband, having not been told of hisplanned journe...
