Act 1, Scene 1

Summary

• We meet the witches towards the end of their meeting.
• They discuss when they shall meet again.

Quotes

‘Thunder and lightning’ (stage direction)

• Creates an eerie atmosphere.
• Slightly implies that the witches are evil rather than good.
• Associates them with thunder and lighting.
• Dark and violent mood.

‘When the hurlyburly’s done. When the battle’s lost and won’

• Sounds like a chant
• Unclear prediction which may become clearer as the play progresses.

‘hurlyburly’s’

• Meaning boisterous activity.
• Implying that chaos is about to ensue.

‘fair is foul and foul is fair’

• Reflects the witches disregard for goodness.
• Shows that the witches have evil intent.
• Possibly good as well as evil.
• Constant use of ‘f’, showing their violent intentions.
• The witches often have sentences structured to sound like a chant - creating an eerie mood - like they are casting an evil spell.
• Introduces the idea that nothing is as it seems.
• Paradox

Themes

• Evil
• Femininity/Gender

The Witches

• The first characters on stage - showing how important their supernatural is.
• Female in a patriarchal society - a society run by males and disregarding females.
• Might have turned to power and manipulation as it is the only way they have control over themselves and society.
• Shakespeare might be against the patriarchal society and be trying to reflect that through the witches without clearly expressing his controversial opinions to the easily angered audience.
• Context - King James I thought women were inferior