Character Analysis Weird Sisters

Question 1

What does Act 1 scene 1 do ?

Answer 1

Introduces the theme of the supernatural
Jacobean audiance drawn to this
It was a crime punishable by death and King James both hated and feared witches

Question 2

How do the witches speak ?

Answer 2

They speak in trochaic meter
- it emphasizes their unnatural presence as we naturally speak in iambic
- ‘ fair is foul and foul is fair’
- others them and gives them a sense of otherworldly feeling

Question 3

How can we analyze one of the witches biggest lines in Act 1 scene 1?

Answer 3

‘ when shall we three meet again’
- end of meeting promotes curiosity
- this structural decision suggests they shall play an important role however it started in medias rais so we missed most of their meeting

Question 4

How can we analyze Act 3 scene 5 for the witches?

Answer 4

Hecate
- classical allusion
- witches are subordinate to her and she is angry about their interference
- ‘ the mistress of your charms’
- she controls them and their power

Question 5

What is a summary of Act 4 scene 1?

Answer 5

Parallelism
Cyclical narrative
Ghost foreshadowing guilt
If the witches are so powerful why are they not seen again ?

Question 6

What is the first apparition in Act 4 scene 1 ? Analyze it.

Answer 6

‘ armed head’
1. Holds metaphoric significance as it foreshadows Macbeths beheading at the hands of Macduff
2. Macbeth interprets it as the opposite and seems reassured by it
3. Macduff is Christian and Christianity in the historical setting was good, Macduff is loyal to the king and order and therefore holds a direct parallel to Macbeth foreshadowing conflict

Question 7

What is the second apparition of Act 4 scene 1? Analyze it

Answer 7

‘Bloody child’
Representative of Macduff ( however this is unknown to Macbeth)
Ironic Hubris which leads to punishment
‘ no one of women born shall harm Macbeth’
- it reassures Macbeth yet he meets an ironic end as he fails to see the true meaning behind it

Question 8

What is the third apparition of Act 4 scene 1?

Answer 8

‘ a child crowned, with a tree on in its hand’
- metaphoric representation of Malcolm
-‘ Burnham wood moves’
- believing this impossible he is reassured and feels secure yet this couldn’t be further from the truth

Question 9

What is the four apparition ?

Answer 9

‘ eight kings’
- Banqous lineage
- he defise the witches

Question 10

Why is the witches showing him apparitions signifcant ?

Answer 10

Conforts him yet they are entirely deceptive and have many interpretations
Shakespeare sign posts important details for the audiance