Macbeth act 1 scene 3 (witches tell prophecies

“So withered and so wild”

Themes → supernatural

Analysis → talking about the witches being old and ugly, this foreshadows their evil. Banquo commenting on this shows that he does not trust them. Their continuous analysis of their appearance also suggests that they are out of the norm, immediately meaning they are untrustworthy.

“So foul and fair a day i have not seen”

Themes → supernatural, foreshadowing

Analysis → macbeth echoes what the witches said, which not only foreshadows that the prophecies will have an effect on him but also causes the reader to be suspicious of his character. This also establishes a connection between him and the witches. Alliteration and oxymoronic terms show confusion and the supernatural

“Why do you start and seem to fear the things that do sound so fair”

Themes → appearance vs reality, supernatural

Analysis → macbeth begins to fear what he needs to do to become king. Banquo thinks that the prophecy is fair, however this is dramatic irony as the audience is aware that things are not really what they seem

“Thane of Glamis… Thane of Cawdor… he shalt be king hereafter”

Themes → kingship, supernatural

Analysis → this evokes confusion and there is a contrast between what is certain and uncertain. However, Macbeth’s ambition pushes the prophecy to come true. To Macbeth, he is confused between what is ordered and what is fate. It is also dramatic irony to the audience as we now the truth that he became thane of cawdor before the prophecy

“What, can the devil speak true?”

Themes → supernatural

Analysis → comparing them to satan, which is hellish imagery, emphasising how evil they are. This is contrasting though because they are expected to lie as the devil does, which causes confusion to banquo

“Why do you dress me in borrowed robes”

Themes → great change of being

Analysis → foreshadowing as previous thane of cawdor was killed by treason, now Macbeth has taken his place, it shows that he will also eventually also kill the king. In addition, ‘borrowed robes’ suggest that it is the role that doesnt fit him, and this also foreshadows how being a king will also not fit him

“Why do i yield to that suggestion”

Themes → ambition

Analysis → there is very physical imagery of the effect this has on him. The verb ‘yield’ suggests he cannot fight the force and is physically drawn towards it. The fact he is questioning it shows he is trying to make sense of the conflict in his mind

“Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair”

Analysis → because he imagines it, this might mean that he wants it to be real. There is also a contrast, why would something like this make him excited? This perhaps shows his inner cruelty and presents how he is in the future.