The Witches

Question 1

“Fair is foul and foul is fair”
Act 1

Answer 1

• They speak in paradoxes and oxymorons. This is seen when they chant that paradoxical phrase, their speech is conflicting, and what they appear to say, does not correlate with reality
• Their conflicting language is notable throughout the entirety of the play reinforcing deceitful and duplicitous intentions

Question 2

Instruments of darkness
Act 1

Answer 2

• This is suggesting their evil masculinity perhaps how their words are almost hypnotic for Macbeth. This is compounded as they speak in trochaic tetrameter, which is distinct from the iambic pentameter that noble characters speak throughout the play, this gives their speech an eerie somglique quality

Question 3

“An armed head, a blood child a child crowned with a tree in his hand”

Answer 3

• The witches summon three apparitions which are manifestations of the threats Macbeth faces
  -The first being emblematic of the violence of the battle and foreshadows Macbeth’s decapitation. The second representing Macduff who was born by a C section and the third emblematic of Brian wood, where Macbeth lives or the natural imagery could suggest that Scotland would flourish under Malcom’s rule

Question 4

None of woman born shall harm Macbeth

Answer 4

• Each of the prophecies are equivocal and ambiguous. They appear to be giving Macbeth pertinent insight to his safety. Instead the reality is that they are giving Macbeth an ephemeral sense of security and invincibility - they know his hubris obstructs him from seeing this