ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Birnam Wood is a forest near Dunsinane Hill in Scotland. It features prominently in the tragedy Macbeth by William Shakespeare. In the play, three witches reveal to Macbeth his fate through prophecies. They suggest that he will be king of Scotland until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Birnam Oak and its neighbour the Birnam Sycamore are thought to the sole surviving trees of the great forest that once straddled the banks and hillsides of the River Tay. This forest is celebrated in Shakespeare’s Macbeth as the famous Birnam Wood.

Detailed explanation-3: -These apparitions instruct Macbeth to beware Macduff but reassure him that no man born of woman can harm him and that he will not be overthrown until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane.

Detailed explanation-4: -In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Macbeth is told that he will only be defeated when Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. Later, his enemy’s army comes through Birnam Wood and each soldier cuts a large branch to hide himself, so that when the army moves on it looks as if the wood is moving.

Detailed explanation-5: -It is mentioned in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, in which Macbeth is informed by a supernatural being, “Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him."