Macbeth Act 1, Scene 1 Flashcards
Who are the first characters on stage?
The three Witches are the first characters on stage
Why do you think these characters are first on stage?
The audience will see them as mysterious and as their purpose is not yet obvious will be intrigued about what is to follow.
Themes:
What themes are introduced in this scene and how?
- Supernatural - to be in the 1st scene shows how important this theme is to the play.
- Reality and Appearances - the Witches introduce the idea that nothing is as it seems: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”
What mood/tone is set in the 1st scene and how?
The mood is set by the wild weather, thunder and lightning which creates a dark and violent tone. The Witches create an air of mystery as it’s not yet clear what purpose they serve to the story.
Language technique:
How do the Witches speak and why? Name 2 language techniques.
- Rhyming couplets - a rhyming pair of successive lines of verse, typically of the same length.
The Witches speak in rhyming couplets which sets them apart from other characters as it makes their speech sound unnatural. It also sounds like they are casting an evil spell. They are the only characters to consistently use rhyme (others do but not all the time). This helps highlight the supernatural theme.
A paradox - this is a statement that contradicts itself.
“When the battle’s lost and won”. The audience may question this as it doesn’t make sense, but the Witches predictions will become clearer as the play goes on.
Key Quotes:
Give examples of rhyming couplets
“When the hurly-burly’s done,/When the battle’s lost and won.”
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair,/Hover through the fog and filthy air”
What do you know about the scene?
- 1st time the audience gets to see the Witches in the play.
- Shakespeare using the Witches to draw the audience in.
- We’re invited into a mysterious world.
- We arrive at the end of what ever has been going “When shall we three meet again?” so can only guess at what has been happening.
Structure:
How does Shakespeare start Macbeth and give reasons why?
Shakespeare starts the play with the Witches.
Witchcraft and supernatural activity are of great interest during Elizabethan times so this helps to draw the audience in.
By introducing the Witches in this 1st Scene 1 is quite significant. Shakespeare wants to establish that the supernatural and this dark atmosphere will have a strong importance in the play. Shakespeare conveys to the audience that the supernatural holds some power.
The audience arrives at the end of what has been going on. The Witches meeting is complete and the audience can only guess at what has been happening. The 1st line is “When shall we three meet again?
This prompts curiosity about who the Witches are and what role they will take in play.
Helps to set the scene - it’s a dark world where there is confusion and where everything isn’t quite as it seems . Introducing the audience to a recurring theme throughout the play.
Which animals are referred to?
Cat and toad - considered witches animals or pets
