Monday, June 3, 2013

Riddle #3: "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." (IV.i.90-94)



The riddle states that Macbeth shall never be overthrown until the Great Birnam wood moves to Dunsinane hill and closes in on Macbeth's ground creating pressure and closure around the castle. Since it is impossible to move a forest form one place to another, I believe the only way for this to be possible is if Macduff's army disguises themselves as the forest with their weapons in hand and trick Macbeth into believing that the forest has actually moved, so that he has a sense of being trapped. When the army is close enough they can surprise attack and succeed at capturing Macbeth. I think this is the only possible answer as I don't see how Macduff's army would be able to move a forest from one place to another such a long ways and not be seen (blow their cover) by Macbeth. 

Riddle #2: "Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn The power of man, for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth.” (IV.i.79-81)


I believe that this riddle is telling the reader that no male child that is born by a woman truly has the blood in him to have what it takes to be a brave, noble and fearless man when saying, "none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth."I think this riddle is trying to say that woman born children that are delivered are cared for too much and that's what makes them soft and too kindhearted. The only way for this riddle to make sense is if the baby was not delivered through the mothers vagina and only if it was born in another form such as a caesarean section. If Macduff is able to kill Macbeth it must be that he was not born naturally from his mother, it had to take some effort and skill to bring Macduff to life giving him the title of a true man, brought into life through a challenge. If this is the correct answer to the riddle then I believe that the first riddle warning Macduff to beware of Macbeth is correct as well because then it is very possible that Macduff has the manly strength to be able to kill Macbeth and take him down from the throne. 

Riddle #1: "Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff; Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough."(IV.i.71-72)

I don't believe that this quotation is really classified as a riddle as it implies the truth, that Macbeth should beware of Macduff who will battle against him, killing Macbeth. The quotation clearly states that Macbeth is to be aware of Macduff and the harm that he will bring to him. From my comprehension of the play, Macduff set off to England where he will join forces with King Edward's army with Malcolm, to gain a strong forceful army that will invade and close in on Macbeth. The purpose of Macduff going after Macbeth is to remove him from the throne and bring back all truth and loyalty to Scotland. Macduff and Malcolm wish to seek revenge for the good King Duncan, Banquo and all of Scotland to end the reign of the fake and disloyal Macbeth. Macbeth should take warning from the witches who have said this riddle and be as prepared as possible to protect himself- although he does not have many more supporters that can back him up.  Macbeth does not deserve to live as he has tricked and killed so many of the important people that once looked at him as a heroic and brave figure. He deserves the same as he has done to all that he has plotted against.