Macbeth Act IV Reading Notes

The three witches are in a cavern preparing their cauldron of illusions when Macbeth enters.  They answer his questions with illusions.  First a floating head, then a bloody child, followed by a crowned child holding a tree, last but not least, a group of eight kings with the ghost of Banquo following close behind.  Macbeth decides to kill Macduff's wife and children.  In the Macduff castle, murders kill the son while Lady Macduff escapes.  The murders chase her.  Malcolm and Macduff become allies through a loyalty test administered by Malcolm.  Ross enters and tells that Macduff's family had been murdered.  He swears revenge.