Macbeth - Act 5 Scene 4
Country near Burnam wood.
The two armies presumably arrive from different sides of the stage, meeting in the middle. The armies might be differentiated by colours, uniforms and banners. Also, Malcolm's forces might be more grandly arrayed and decorated in comparison to the less-equipped local rebels.
Drum and colours. Enter MALCOLM, SIWARD and YOUNG
SIWARD, MACDUFF, MENTEITH, CAITHNESS, ANGUS,
LENNOX, ROSS, and Soldiers, marching
MALCOLM
Cousins, I hope the days are near at hand
That chambers will be safe.
MENTEITH
We doubt it nothing.
SIWARD
What wood is this before us?
MENTEITH
The wood of Birnam.
MALCOLM
Let every soldier hew him down a bough
And bear't before him: thereby shall we shadow
The numbers of our host and make discovery
Err in report of us.
The hewing of boughs from Birnam Wood is a great way of getting around the prophecy, but can be difficult to stage. The action itself need not take place onstage, but the soldiers enter into 5.6 carrying their branches, which can easily look ridiculous.
Malcolm is convinced that Macbeth's army, operating out of fear rather than loyalty, will be easily defeated. Macduff and Siward dismiss his optimism, insisting that action alone will determine the outcome of the battle.
Soldiers
It shall be done.
SIWARD
We learn no other but the confident tyrant
Keeps still in Dunsinane, and will endure
Our setting down before 't.
MALCOLM
'Tis his main hope:
For where there is advantage to be given,
Both more and less have given him the revolt,
And none serve with him but constrained things
Whose hearts are absent too.
MACDUFF
Let our just censures
Attend the true event, and put we on
Industrious soldiership.
SIWARD
The time approaches
That will with due decision make us know
What we shall say we have and what we owe.
Thoughts speculative their unsure hopes relate,
But certain issue strokes must arbitrate:
Towards which advance the war.
Exeunt, marching