Act 1 scene 1

Question 1

What’s the first thing we see and hear in the play?

Answer 1

Thunder and lightning

Question 2

What does the thunder and lightning represent?

Answer 2

This immediately shows that conflict is coming up and sets a frightening and gloomy tone for the play

Question 3

What are the three witches planning when we first see them and what do they represent?|

Answer 3

.They are planning to meet Macbeth and Banquo after the battle is over
.Shakespeare uses the three witches to show the audience that the play has a supernatural theme from the start

Question 4

Key Quote: ‘Fair is ? and ? is fair’

Answer 4

Fair is foul and foul is fair

Question 5

What does the quote ‘fair is foul and foul is fair’ mean?

Answer 5

The theme of evil-doing and deception is a recurring theme throughout the play. This is the first indication that things may not always be what they appear on the surface.

Examples: Macbeth appearing loyal and trustworthy to Duncan, but secretly plotting to kill him. As when he was tempted by power, he becomes villainous and selfish

Question 6

What techniques are there is ‘fair is foul and foul is fair’

Answer 6

.This is an oxymoron (words that contradict each other), and suggests things may not always be what they seem.
.Repetition
.It’s a paradox that is repeated throughout the play
.Theme of appearance vs reality

Question 7

What are the themes in this scene?

Answer 7

Appearance vs reality
Gender
Supernatural

Question 8

What techniques are used in this scene?

Answer 8

Pathetic fallacy- Thunder and lighting
Foreshadowing- That everything may not be what it first appears

Question 9

Where else (quote) do we see pathetic fallacy? And what does this quote tell us?

Answer 9

‘When shall we meet again? In thunder, lightning or in rain’
.This shows that the witches are associated with bad weather conditions, which represents how they leave a trail of misery and gloom wherever they go (undesirableness)