The above picture portrays Macduff, in orange, beheading Macbeth. Through the witches' pellucid warning, "beware Macduff; beware the Thane of Fife" (IV.i.71-72), Macbeth is warned about the imminent confrontation with his biggest threat yet. While it seems as though this is a clear warning for what is about to happen, Macbeth is most likely confused by this sudden caution. Earlier, the witches warn him that Banquo's heirs would take his throne and now they are saying it is Macduff who threatens his crown. Hence, full of worry, Macbeth sends men to kill Macduff's wife and son. This, in turn fuels Macduff's vengeful desires which ultimately leads to him beheading Macbeth. If it were not for the witches' warning, Macbeth would not have killed Macduff's family which would have saved him from his peril. From this riddle, it is obvious the tables have turned and the witches are now plotting against Macbeth. As the phrase "fair is foul and foul is fair" (I. i. 11) suggests, whosever's joy is the witches' distress and so they plan to take down Macbeth and rid of his pleasures as being King.
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