Three Witches Flashcards
“F i f, and f is f” Deception, Moral Ambiguity, Paradox
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair”
- Fricitive Itensifies, harsh tone shows severity
This paradox encapsulates the play’s theme of moral inversion, where good is bad and bad is good. It is a motif for deception and the idea that appearances can be deceiving, a central theme throughout the play.
“F n o w b s h M” Fate, Supernatural, Misinterpretation
“For none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”
This prophecy uses paradox and ambiguity, falsely reassuring Macbeth of his invincibility, which contributes to his downfall. It underscores themes of fate, the supernaturals influence on human actions, and the misleading nature of prophecies.
“A h, M, t s b k h!” Ambition, Prophecy, Temptation
“All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!” The witches’ greeting plants the seeds of ambition in Macbeth, using imperative ‘hail’ to foreshadow his future. It’s both a prophecy and a temptation, pivotal in initiating the play’s central conflict and themes of power and fate.
“W s w t m a i t, l, o i r?” Supernatural, Chaos, Foreboding
“When shall we three meet again in thunder, lightning, or in rain?”
The witches’ first line introduces them as inextricably linked to chaos and the elements, setting the tone for their role in the play. Their speech is rhythmic and incantatory, reinforcing themes of supernatural influences and the subversion of natural order.
