Supernatural Quotes

Question 1

A4S1 - The Three Witches
“Double, double toil trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.”

Answer 1

• trochaic tetrameter,
• chanting in rhyming verse
• wicked evils who cast murderous spells and make toxic potion (cauldron) , which build up a spectral atmosphere
• terrifying to the Jacobean audience.
• the belief in superstition is now more diluted, the modern audience would only be dubious
• ‘double’ here, as a noun could be referred to the royal couple, Macbeth and his Lady, the word ‘trouble’ comes after foreshadowing their tragic fall at the end of the play.

Question 2

A1S3 - The Second Witch “Killing swine”

Answer 2

• The verb ‘killing’ demonstrates the evil and bloodlust.
• The witch loves to harm and slaughter livestock.
• She needs sacrifices for her dark potion.
• shows us that back in the Jacobean Era, people strongly believed and regarded the witches as hideously sinister and terrifying.
• modern audience - scene might be less frightening as most of the world is now based upon scientific ideas, not on religions or supernatural as before.

Question 3

“A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.”

Answer 3

• sibilance - signify Lady Macbeth’s controlling nature towards Macbeth, dares to criticise his masculinity.
• S sound here gives a very harsh sound to her tone.
• Shakespearean times - women were completely different to women of the twenty first century.
• no ability to be independent like women today.
• by regarding her as an equal the audience may perceive their marriage to be unnatural as she is able to convince him with her talks within a small amount of time.
• may perceive her as witchlike
• by doing this, Shakespeare is able to attract the Shakespearean audience by giving supernatural components to the play.

Question 4

A1S5 - Lady Macbeth “Murdering ministers”

Answer 4

• alliteration makes Lady Macbeth sounded more powerful and minacious.
• willed herself to be evil and ruthless (to help Macbeth achieving the throne). This implies that ambitious women in the Jacobean were unnatural and menacing. Since they are abnormal, they might harm somebody.

Question 5

A1S1 The Third Witch “The set of sun”

Answer 5

• natural imagery portrays a mysterious dark night which the witch was talking about, increasing the tension among the audience.
• sibilance also creates an eerie sound (snake-like), fasten the pace of the witches’ chants, adding a fearsome element to the atmosphere.