Act 1, Scene 1 – The Witches Plan to Meet Macbeth
The three Witches plan to meet Macbeth on the heath.
‘Thunder and lightning’ – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Shakespeare begins the play with pathetic fallacy, which sets a dark and violent mood.
The wild weather hints that unnatural events are occurring.
“When shall we meet again? In thunder, lightning or in rain?”
The opening questions emphasise the powers of the three Witches - they can control
the weather.
The Witches are the first character on stage, showing how important the theme
‘Supernatural’ is. The Witches are seen as mysterious and evil. The three Witches
replaced the Trinity (Father, Son and the Holy Spirit).
“When the battle’s lost and won” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
The Witches speak in paradoxes – at first, they don’t make any sense, but their
predictions become clearer.
“Upon the heath”
Heath is an area of wilderness in the countryside. It emphasise ambiguity and the power
of the Witches.
“I come, Graymalkin”
Graymalkin is an affectionate name for a grey cat. Cats were seen as the Witches’ pets. It
emphasise how close the Witches are, together.
“Fair is foul and foul is fair” – Theme: Reality and Appearances
The Witches suggest that things aren’t what they seem. ‘Good is evil and evil is good’.
The entire play is dominated by the quote and the theme is developed over the course
of the play.
“Hover through the fog and filthy air”
Fog emphasise what can’t be seen and dominates what can be seen. This foreshadows
Macbeth’s obsession with the Witches and unclear relationships with his close ones.
The three Witches plan to meet Macbeth on the heath.
‘Thunder and lightning’ – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Shakespeare begins the play with pathetic fallacy, which sets a dark and violent mood.
The wild weather hints that unnatural events are occurring.
“When shall we meet again? In thunder, lightning or in rain?”
The opening questions emphasise the powers of the three Witches - they can control
the weather.
The Witches are the first character on stage, showing how important the theme
‘Supernatural’ is. The Witches are seen as mysterious and evil. The three Witches
replaced the Trinity (Father, Son and the Holy Spirit).
“When the battle’s lost and won” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
The Witches speak in paradoxes – at first, they don’t make any sense, but their
predictions become clearer.
“Upon the heath”
Heath is an area of wilderness in the countryside. It emphasise ambiguity and the power
of the Witches.
“I come, Graymalkin”
Graymalkin is an affectionate name for a grey cat. Cats were seen as the Witches’ pets. It
emphasise how close the Witches are, together.
“Fair is foul and foul is fair” – Theme: Reality and Appearances
The Witches suggest that things aren’t what they seem. ‘Good is evil and evil is good’.
The entire play is dominated by the quote and the theme is developed over the course
of the play.
“Hover through the fog and filthy air”
Fog emphasise what can’t be seen and dominates what can be seen. This foreshadows
Macbeth’s obsession with the Witches and unclear relationships with his close ones.
