![]() For all practical purposes, Macbeth’s statement that “nothing is, but what is not” means he is willing to commit murder and attempt to escape from its consequences. Macbeth prepares to invalidate the values that he has held for a long time, including respect for authority, discipline, and responsibility. Moreover, his statements suggest he might engage in unjustifiable deeds soon. Macbeth is a noble and courageous warrior but his reaction to the witches pronouncements emphasizes his great desire for power and prestige. He describes his confusion by saying, “Nothing is, but what is not.” It appears that Macbeth does not understand the circumstances he faces. ![]() By his own admission, Macbeth states his imagination might overthrow reason. First, he feels scared of the possible destruction the prophecy could create. He cannot believe how his current situation will make the prophecy come true. Macbeth struggles to connect the first prophecy with his current feelings. As “the insane root… takes the reason prisoner,” Shakespeare’s impression is that Banquo and Macbeth see products of their imagination instead of reality. Moreover, Shakespeare shrewdly consolidates Macbeth's and Banquo's perplexity at the witches' vanishing with incredulity of their predictions. Her husband's to Aleppo gone, master o' the Tiger. 'Aroint thee, witch' the rump-fed ronyon cries. They are perplexed by the nature of the outcomes the witches prophesy. Third Witch Sister, where thou First Witch A sailor's wife had chestnuts in her lap, And munched, and munched, and munched. Though Macbeth’s early experiences, Shakespeare indicates that fate defines reality from falsehoods and certainty from uncertainty.Īs soon as the witches make their predictions, both Macbeth and Banquo respond with excitement and confusion. Although he does not comprehend the witches’ nature and personalities, he remains certain that their prophecies will come to pass. This throws Banquo and Macbeth into confusion.ĭespite Macbeth’s general disorientation, the one clear truth in his mind is the prospect of becoming king. Although they look like women, they are not female. The mood of confusion these statements create intensifies with the witches’ appearance. When they first appear in Scene I, the witches introduce an idea that permeates the play: “Foul is fair and fair is foul.” Later, Macbeth goes on to say, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen,” in response to his change of fate. The storm wreaks havoc upon the sea, just as the witches’ prophecies uproot the men’s lives. The scene’s weather reinforces its tumult and unpredictability. This repetition reinforces their importance in the mind of the audience or reader and adds strongly to the. Yet, both the sailor and Macbeth are blown asunder by a tempest of passion that damages their respective abilities to achieve lasting success. Key words There are a number of key words in Macbeth which are used over and over again. Almost as soon as they are gone, Ross and Angus arrive with news that the king has named Macbeth Thane of Cawdor. They then promise Banquo that he will father kings, and they disappear. Like the sailor who captains his boat, Macbeth is poised to become an ill-fated “captain” of Scotland. Synopsis: The three witches greet Macbeth as Thane of Glamis (as he is), Thane of Cawdor, and king hereafter. **Check out my () for loads more free and inexpensive KS3 & KS4, Literacy and whole school resources.Whereas Scene I introduces the play’s supernatural elements, Scene III dives deeper into them via the witches’ curse of the sailor and predictions about Macbeth and Banquo. Three haggard old women, the witches, appear out of the storm. Save 60% when you download the fully annotated play: Macbeth Lady Macbeth The Three Witches Banquo Macduff Themes Protagonist Antagonist Setting Motifs Symbols Genre Style Summary Act 1, scenes 14 Summary: Act 1, scene 1 Thunder and lightning crash above a Scottish moor. Can be used as a revision tool, within class or to assist with home learning. The phrase Fair is Foul, Foul is Fair (Act 1, Scene 1) is chanted by the three witches at the beginning of the play. Lesson Summary Frequently Asked Questions What do the witches do in Act 1 Scene 3 of Macbeth The witches do as they planned: they speak to Macbeth and to Banquo, prophesying the events. Perfect for reluctant writers, or simply to save time with students competing their own annotations. ![]() Annotations include, language, structure, context and more. This bundle includes a detailed analysis of Act 3. **Check out my () for loads more free and inexpensive KS3 & KS4, Literacy and whole school resources.** Can also be used for prep work / home learning - an extremely versatile resource! Can be printed as a booklet or used as individual acts / scenes. Perfect as a revision / differentiation document or as a hand-out for students who find annotation challenging. Includes notes on analysis, structure, language, themes, symbols, context and more.
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