Macbeth- supernatural:

Question 1

“Fair is foul and foul is fair”

Answer 1

• Effect on the reader: Evokes a sense of disorientation and moral ambiguity, challenging conventional notions of right and wrong.
• Context of Jacobean society: Reflects the moral and political upheaval of the era, characterized widespread fear of witchcraft and the supernatural.
• Anaphora- repititon- emphasising contrast
• Paradoxical statement, suggesting that what appears good may be deceptive or tainted.
• Alliteration: ‘F’ - sinister undertones of the statement.
• Imagery: contrasting imagery (“fair” and “foul”) -blurred lines between good and evil.

Question 2

“All hail Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter”

Answer 2

• Structured repetition- witches’ manipulation of Macbeth’s fate, as each proclamation serves to further entrench the prophecy in his mind.
• The direct and authoritative form of the quote reflects the witches’ power and control over Macbeth’s destiny, highlighting their role as catalysts for his ambition and downfall.
• The use of imperative language and rhythmic repetition - hypnotic quality, suggesting the witches’ ability to mesmerize and influence Macbeth with their words.

Question 3

“Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble”

Answer 3

The quote epitomizes the theme of the supernatural, capturing the witches’ role as agents of fate and chaos in the play.
Sense of Unity: The repetition of rhyming words at the end of each line establishes a sense of unity and cohesion within the incantation. This unity reinforces the witches’ collective presence and shared purpose
The parallel clauses linked by a semicolon create a sense of continuity and unity, reinforcing the witches’ collective presence and shared purpose in casting their spell.
The use of imperative language and rhythmic repetition adds to the quote’s hypnotic quality, highlighting the witches’ ability to mesmerize and manipulate their surroundings with their magic.
The quote consists of two parallel clauses separated by a semicolon, creating a sense of continuation and connection between the two halves.
The use of imperative language (“Double,” “Fire burn,” “cauldron bubble”) adds a sense of authority and command to the witches’ incantation, emphasizing their control over supernatural forces.
The repetition of “double” and the alliteration in “toil and trouble” create a sense of incantation and ritual, reinforcing the supernatural elements of the scene.

Question 4

“In thunder, lightning or in rain?”

Answer 4

• Evokes a sense of dramatic tension and impending doom
• Reflects the superstitions surrounding natural phenomena, thunder, lightning, and rain were often associated with divine or supernatural intervention.
• Imagery: The vivid imagery of “thunder, lightning, rain” creates a sensory experience for the reader, immersing them in the stormy setting and adding to the dramatic impact.
• Pathetic fallacy: The use of weather to mirror the emotional turmoil and chaos within the play reinforces the theme of moral disorder and upheaval.
• Onomatopoeia: The sounds of “thunder” and “lightning”- auditory imagery
• The stormy weather foreshadows the moral and political turmoil that will unfold as the play progresses, hinting at the tragic consequences of Macbeth’s ambition.

Question 5

'’You should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpret That you are so. ‘’

Answer 5

• Witches sacrificed everything that made them femnine for power, Lady Macbeth’s yearn to dp so too ‘Unsex me here’
• The witches clearly work beyond the laws of natural physics and biology
• Women were normally played by pre-pubescent boys, however thee witches may have been played by grown men