Macbeth laughs at the threat of the army. It would have been a battle at first but now it will be a siege which he should win. A woman screams offstage and Sayton reports that the queen is dead. Macbeth says a soliloquy (below) and then a messenger tells Macbeth that birnam wood is moving to the castle (Malcolm’s army of camouflaged soldiers). Macbeth begins to wonder if the Witches tricked him.
“She should have died hereafter. Iambic meter There would have been a time for such [ a word ]. [ ] weak foot [ Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow ], [ ] repetition [ Creeps in this petty pace ] from day to day [ ] metaphor To the [ last syllable of recorded time ], [ ] metaphor And all our yesterdays have [ lighted fools ] [ ] metaphor The way to [ dusty death ]. Out, out, [ brief candle ]! { } alliteration [ ] metaphor Life’s but a [ walking shadow ], a { poor } ( player ) [ ] metaphor { } alliteration ( ) weak foot That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”