Macbeth’s motive for seeing the witches in Act Four Scene One is because he is uncertain about his future and the destiny of who will be King of Scotland. The aftermath of Banquo’s murder unnerved Macbeth and he vowed to meet the witches to find out his future. Macbeth is in a murderous rage when he meets the witches in Act Four Scene One he vowed that he would kill anyone standing in his way to the throne of Scotland, in Act Three Scene Four when he says “For now I am bent to know by the worst means, the worst; for mine own good, all causes shall give way”. This shows that Macbeth will use the most evil methods to stay King of Scotland and it also shows that Macbeth mentally is focused on murder. When the witches give their predictions to Macbeth about his future, this gives Macbeth the idea that he is indestructible, when the second apparition says “The power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth”. This prediction influences Macbeth not to fear anyone as the apparition predicts that no naturally born man can harm him, which reassures Macbeth to kill anyone who stands in his way as he has nothing to fear.
When the three apparitions told their predictions to Macbeth in Act Four Scene One the audience waited to see if those predictions were right, when the first apparition says “Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth: beware Macduff” this prediction turned out to be right later on in the play when Macduff kills Macbeth. This also was the case when the third apparition promised Macbeth that he will not be defeated until Birnam Wood came to Dunsinane which also became true, both these predictions by the apparitions would have influenced the audience’s views on the supernatural and made them think that maybe forces from the supernatural exist in real life. The original audience would have been very shocked to see Macbeth, as king, seeking guidance from the witches. As king, the audience would have expected Macbeth to do things himself and not have expected Macbeth asking others for help. As king, it is expected of you to be a leader and to see Macbeth asking others for guidance when he should be the one guiding others would have come as a shock to the original audience. The scene makes us think if whether the witches are trying to help Macbeth or they are planning something evil for Macbeth. The scene does highlight to us that looks can be deceived as it looks like the witches are acting in good nature but really they are trying to ruin Macbeth.
The overall mood that I would want to create in this scene is a very dark, chilling and dull mood. You usually represent witches in this way, so with the witches playing an integral part in the scene this mood would be suitable as darkness is usually associated with evil. Also this mood will show the audience that Macbeth will be doing a lot of evil things in the rest of the play. This scene links with the rest of the play as most of the play is based in darkness, as darkness intensifies the dramatic effect of the action and language. The costumes that the witches would wear would be a black, old and dirty hag. As black is a very mysterious colour, this would put across a message to the audience that these witches are very mysterious and no one quite knows what they are or what they are really up to. Macbeth’s costume would be a warrior king outfit, this would put across a message to the audience that Macbeth is ready to fight anyone standing in his way to the position of King of Scotland. As there is thunder and lightning in this scene, lighting and sound effects could create a very frightening atmosphere. When the first apparition says “Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth: beware Macduff”, as soon as the apparition says “Beware Macduff” thunder and lightning effects could take place as this would tell the audience that Macduff could be a threat to Macbeth later on in the play.