act 4•scene 2 the comparison of the witches Flashcards
A1, 1: Presents three prophecies to Macbeth
A4, 1: Present three prophecies to Macbeth
- Repetition
- Reminder of their power and influence over Macbeth
- Reinforce the role of the supernatural in the play - danger, risk, suffering and chaos
- First on stage = Importance
A1, 1: Focus on Macbeth’s destiny
A4, 1: Focus on Macbeth’s destiny (Divine right of Kings)
- Continuity of the Witches influence
- Foreshadows conflict and Macbeth being power hungry
- Divine right of Kings?
A1, 1: Clear prophecies using simple sentences
A4, 1: Conditional prophecies
“No man woman born.” “Macbeth will never vanquished be until.”
Advice - Based
Imperatives: “Be bloody, bold and resolute.” “Beware Macduff.”
- Shows they still have loyalty in Macbeth and still feel it is their duty to warn him
- Creates ambiguity and interpretation
- Infers Macduff as someone to be afraid of
- Reinforces his approach, ambitious and wants more
- A false sense of security?
A1, 1: Prophecies given by the Witches
A4, 1: Prophecies given through conjured hallucinations
- Creates imagery and an insecure feeling about the Witches power
- Makes you feel as if you are a part of it
- Stage directions
A1, 1: Take turns
Finish sentences
Refer to the future and predicts correctly
A4, 1: Witches’ use of spells reinforces expectations
The cauldron consists ingredients are all the entrails or body parts of loathed animals or human beings, which, taken together, can be interpreted as making a complete monster: tounge, leg, liver, lips, scales, teeth, and so on
Shows Macbeth’s characterisation
- Shows the Witches have no mercy and that Macbeth should be fearful
- Ruthless
- How they had changed after Hecate is a warning and changes the way we now view them
A1, 1: Setting: An isolated place with thunder
A4, 1: Setting: An isolated place with thunder
- Pathetic fallacy
- Imagery creates an unsettled atmosphere
- Foreshadows disagreements
- Setting stayed the same
- Macbeth’s actions haven’t stopped any actions
- Still unsettled