Supernatural

Question 1

1. “fair is foul and foul is fair.” a1 s1

Answer 1

1. Antimetabole
2. Ambiguity and inversion of traditional values
3. Foreshadows that appearances are deceiving
4. Witches live in a world where conventional morality do not apply
5. This makes it difficult for characters like Macbeth to distinguish between right and wrong
6. Introduces them as agents of chaos.

Question 2

2. “the instruments of darkness tell us truths with honest trifles.” a1 s3

Answer 2

1. Deceptive nature of the supernatural
2. They reveal half-truths
3. Present their truths in an innocuous way to lure characters into a false sense of security
4. Echoes the broader theme of deception
5. Cautionary reminder of placing trust in the supernatural and succumbing to greed

Question 3

3. “for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”

Answer 3

1. Provides Macbeth with a false sense of invincibility
2. Manipulate him by further encouraging his reckless ambition and paranoia
3. Shows how actions lead to downfall, despite fate human agency is significant
4. Ironic as Macbeth is unaware of the circumstances of Macduff’s birth