Final answer:
Malcolm orders his soldiers to carry branches to disguise the size of the army, creating an advantage through deception in their march against Macbeth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Malcolm desires his soldiers to carry tree branches as they march to hide the true size of the army. Malcolm orders his soldiers to carry branches to disguise the size of the army, creating an advantage through deception in their march against Macbeth.
This strategy is a form of deception or dissimulation used in warfare to gain an advantage over the enemy, making it difficult for them to ascertain the actual strength and numbers of Malcolm's forces. It is an example of utilizing the landscape and the element of surprise to conceal movements and intentions, ultimately to gain the upper hand in the ensuing battle against Macbeth.