The Supernatrual

Question 1

Act 1 Scene 1 - “Fair is foul and foul is fair”

Answer 1

Fricative making the line memorable yet threatening

Witches speak in TROCHAIC TETRAMETER whereas the other characters speak in iambic tetrameter, making their words sound like a chant or spell

Contrasting adjectives hint ability to deceive, and foreshadows the blur between good and evil later on in the play

Question 2

“(Hecate) Security is mortals chiefest enemy”

Answer 2

Hecate is the Goddess associated with witchcraft

Quote is saying humans are most at risk when they feel safe

Implies the witches potentially lead Macbeth to his downfall as they know his vulnerabilities

Question 3

“Double double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble”

Answer 3

Sounds like a spell, implying something evil may occur

Question 4

‘Thunder and lightning’

Answer 4

Opening stage directions where the witches are introduced

Pathetic fallacy - creates an ominous and threatening atmosphere, and confirms Jacobean beliefs that witches could control the weather

Perhaps Shakespeare chose to open the play with the witches to present them as a powerful, significant force in the play and to please King James I.