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