Witches

Question 1

Why does Shakespeare choose to open the play with the witches?

Answer 1

It suggests they will take a significant role in the play

Question 2

When is the witches first appearance?

Answer 2

Act 1 scene 1

Question 3

How much of the witches meeting does the audience actually witness?

Answer 3

Only the end. The audience misses the actual meeting, leaving them unsure what to think of the witches.

Question 4

What is the line about the witches meeting again?

Answer 4

“When shall we three meet again?”

Question 5

What theme do the witches introduce

Answer 5

Supernatural - a big draw for jacobean audiences

Question 6

Which two quotes suggest the witches know a lot about macbeth already?

Answer 6

“When the battle’s lost and won” - they know whats currently happening in macbeths life
“Upon the heath” - they know where they’ll find him after the battle

Question 7

What two powers may the witches possess?

Answer 7

Power of direction - to make things happen
Power of prophecy - predicting future

Question 8

State the quote in which the witches tell macbeth he will be thane of cawdor

Answer 8

“All hail, macbeth, hail to thee, thane of cawdor”

Question 9

What does “something wicked this way comes” suggest?

Answer 9

The witches can feel macbeths wicked pressence before they see him. Wicked suggests macbeth has made his turn from good to bad

Question 10

What do the witches say that makes macbeth believe he is immortal

Answer 10

“None of woman born shall harm macbeth”