Falling Action Act IV of Macbeth by William Shakespeare
As known from the Shakespearean curve of play development, Act IV is the “falling action” in which the events in the play have gained so much momentum against the protagonists that ultimate defeat is inevitable. In Macbeth, there are events that are out of Macbeth’s control which would eventually lead to his demise. The first scene is Act IV starts out with the return of the witches from Act I. At the start of the scene, they are obviously waiting for Macbeth to arrive. Macbeth demands answers to his questions, of course expecting reassurance from them. ... When the second apparition tells him to “Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth,” (4. ... 90), Macbeth feels a little more assured of the fact that Macduff would not harm him.