Macbeth - The witches

Question 1

Macbeth - The witches and supernatural introduction

Answer 1

In Macbeth, Shakespeare presents the witches as omniscient supernatural beings and threatening beings. Immediately the witches are distinguished from other characters due to speaking in trochaic tetrameter. The immediate sense of urgency Shakespeare delivered to the audience forwarned the jacobean audience of the vindictive nature, leaving the audience in no doubt as to their connection with the powers of evil. Arguably, the downfall of Macbeth was perhaps because

Question 2

Macbeth - The witches 1st paragraph

Answer 2

In Act 1, Scene 3, Shakespeare portrays the witches as supernatural and omniscient. The ‘weird sisters’ prophesize that Macbeth shall become the ‘Thane of Cawdor’. Their tone is taunting and playful as if they are almost enjoying their power to play with Macbeth’s emotions. They are very unspecific and mysterious as to the details of this prophecy leaving Macbeth lingering with curiosity and greed that grows over time. The witches planned to meet him and to tell him this prophecy to purposely trigger this hunger inside his soul. Shakespeare portrays the malicious intent of the supernatural through the witches where they taunt and state that Macbeth ‘shalt be king hereafter!’. Shakespeare perhaps uses the downfall of Macbeth to remind the Jacobean audience that the supernatural is a dangerous force that is inevitable once they plant a seed of maliciousness into your mind. Whilst Shakespeare forewarns the audience he is also asserting the dominance and power of King James.

Question 3

Macbeth - The witches - 2nd paragraph

Answer 3

Furthermore, In Act 4, the meeting with the apparitions further expresses the malicious intent of the witches. The second apparition is a bloody child which tells Macbeth not to be afraid as ‘None of woman born shall harm Macbeth’. The equivocation here used by the weird sisters Led to Macbeth having a false sense of security which ultimately, followed by a series of events led to his tragic death. Shakespeare uses the manipulativeness here shown by the weird sisters to remind the audience of the trickery nature of the supernatural.

Question 4

Macbeth - The witches

Answer 4

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Question 5

Witches quotes

Answer 5

''None of woman born shall harm Macbeth
''All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!''
Macbeth shall never vanquish'd
Fair is found and fair
Thunder and lightning