Act 1, Scene 3 – Macbeth Meets the Witches
The Witches tell Macbeth that he will first be Thane of Cawdor and then king, but also
predict that Banquo’s descendants will be kings in the future.
“Sleep shall neither night nor day” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
The Witches curse a sailor and send a storm to him sleeping. This foreshadows how
Macbeth will be made sleepless with guilt and worry, and how Scotland will be almost
destroyed during Macbeth’s violent rage.
The beating of the drum represents the beating of Macbeth’s heart. It can also suggest
that the Witches are celebrating for Macbeth’s victory on the battlefield.
“So foul and fair a day I have not seen” – Theme: Fate and Free Will
Macbeth’s first line echo the Witches’ ‘fair is foul’ prophecy. This hints that Macbeth’s
fate is linked with the Witches.
“That not look like the inhabitants o’th’earth”
The Witches are the Devil’s representatives on earth that can disguise into anything. The
Witches are seen as women but has beards like men.
Two truths and one prediction – Macbeth will be the Thane of Cawdor and king, and
Banquo’s descendants will be kings.
“Thane of Cawdor” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
This is an example of dramatic irony – the audience already knows that this part of the
Witches’ prophecy has come true; Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor as
Macdonald is dead.
“Rapt withal”
The encounter of the Witches leaves Macbeth fascinated. He is spellbound by the
predictions but he is also scared by the powerful ambition that the Witches have
awakened in him.
“Lesser than Macbeth, and greater” – Character: The Witches
Banquo won’t be King but his descendants will become kings. The Witches talk in
paradoxes and riddles to confuse Macbeth and Banquo, and lead them astray.
“Stay, you imperfect speakers”
Macbeth overlooks the evil of the Witches as he is interested in his future and the
prophecies.
“Whiter are they vanished?” – Theme: Reality and Appearances
Macbeth and Banquo repeatedly ask questions which shows their confusion as they
realised they talked to the Devil’s representatives, the Witches.
“Your children shall be kings”
Macbeth is feared and paranoid that Banquo’s descendants will be kings, hints that
they’re a threat to him.
“The greatest is behind”
The greatest (title) is yet to come. When Macbeth finds out he’s been made Thane of
Cawdor, it shows that the prediction has come true. This convinces him that the
prediction of him becoming king will come true too, which strengthens his ambition.
The Witches tell Macbeth that he will first be Thane of Cawdor and then king, but also
predict that Banquo’s descendants will be kings in the future.
“Sleep shall neither night nor day” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
The Witches curse a sailor and send a storm to him sleeping. This foreshadows how
Macbeth will be made sleepless with guilt and worry, and how Scotland will be almost
destroyed during Macbeth’s violent rage.
The beating of the drum represents the beating of Macbeth’s heart. It can also suggest
that the Witches are celebrating for Macbeth’s victory on the battlefield.
“So foul and fair a day I have not seen” – Theme: Fate and Free Will
Macbeth’s first line echo the Witches’ ‘fair is foul’ prophecy. This hints that Macbeth’s
fate is linked with the Witches.
“That not look like the inhabitants o’th’earth”
The Witches are the Devil’s representatives on earth that can disguise into anything. The
Witches are seen as women but has beards like men.
Two truths and one prediction – Macbeth will be the Thane of Cawdor and king, and
Banquo’s descendants will be kings.
“Thane of Cawdor” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
This is an example of dramatic irony – the audience already knows that this part of the
Witches’ prophecy has come true; Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor as
Macdonald is dead.
“Rapt withal”
The encounter of the Witches leaves Macbeth fascinated. He is spellbound by the
predictions but he is also scared by the powerful ambition that the Witches have
awakened in him.
“Lesser than Macbeth, and greater” – Character: The Witches
Banquo won’t be King but his descendants will become kings. The Witches talk in
paradoxes and riddles to confuse Macbeth and Banquo, and lead them astray.
“Stay, you imperfect speakers”
Macbeth overlooks the evil of the Witches as he is interested in his future and the
prophecies.
“Whiter are they vanished?” – Theme: Reality and Appearances
Macbeth and Banquo repeatedly ask questions which shows their confusion as they
realised they talked to the Devil’s representatives, the Witches.
“Your children shall be kings”
Macbeth is feared and paranoid that Banquo’s descendants will be kings, hints that
they’re a threat to him.
“The greatest is behind”
The greatest (title) is yet to come. When Macbeth finds out he’s been made Thane of
Cawdor, it shows that the prediction has come true. This convinces him that the
prediction of him becoming king will come true too, which strengthens his ambition.
