Question

Which statement best explains the importance of the spirits’ predictions near the end of William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth?

Macbeth feels confident because he thinks none of the predictions can come true.


Macbeth realizes that the predictions were misleading and that he is doomed.


Macbeth feels sad that the predictions were about Macduff’s advancing armies.


Macbeth realizes that all of the predictions were true and could have no effect on his fate.

Answer 1

Answer: Macbeth realizes that the predictions were misleading and that he is doomed.

Explanation: Near the end of "The Tragedy of Macbeth" by William Shakespeare, the statement that best explains the importance of the spirits' predictions is Macbeth realizes that the predictions were misleading and that he is doomed. When the witches tell Macbeth that he must not fear until the Birnam Wood goes to Dunsinane and that no man born of a woman can kill him, he feels confident. Woods don't move and all men are born from women. When the soldiers cut the boughs to approach Dunsinane, Macbeth realizes that the predictions were misleading. He will die fighting.

Answer 2

The correct answer is B.

Near the end of the play, the spirits tell Macbeth that he cannot be harmed by any man born of woman and he will be safe until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Castle.

Believing none of this two events could ever take place, Macbeth relaxes.

However, the predictions were misleading since while advincing to attack the castle, the English disguised itself with branches and boughs from Birnam Wood and and Macduff was not born of woman but “untimely ripped” from his mother’s womb.