The Witches Flashcards
(5 cards)
This opening line sets the tone for the play’s supernatural atmosphere. The reference to tumultuous weather—thunder, lightning, rain—immediately associates the witches with chaos and unpredictability. Their meeting “again” hints at a recurring cycle of dark deeds, suggesting that the forces of evil are always at work behind the scenes. The line primes the audience for a world where natural order is disturbed, reinforcing the theme of disorder and foreboding that underpins the entire tragedy.
“When shall we three meet again, In thunder, lightning, or in rain?”
This paradoxical statement is central to the play’s exploration of appearance versus reality. It implies that what seems good (fair) may be inherently evil (foul), and vice versa. The witches introduce the idea that conventional moral boundaries are blurred—a notion that resonates throughout the play as characters deceive and betray. The line challenges the audience to question the true nature of goodness and evil, suggesting that the world of Macbeth is one where nothing is quite as it seems.
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”
By directly addressing Macbeth and prophesying his rise to power, the witches spark the central conflict of the play. This moment is pivotal because it plants the seed of ambition in Macbeth’s mind. The repetition of “hail” underscores the force of the prophecy, while the juxtaposition of his current title with his foretold destiny creates a tension that drives his subsequent actions. The prophecy not only incites Macbeth’s ambition but also highlights the theme of fate versus free will, as it seems to offer him a glimpse of a predestined future.
“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!”
This incantation, chanted as the witches prepare their brew, is one of the most iconic moments in the play. The repetitive and rhythmic nature of the verse evokes the relentless, cyclic nature of evil. “Double, double” suggests that the ensuing mischief will be multiplied, while the imagery of a bubbling cauldron filled with fire conjures a sense of uncontrolled, destructive energy. This spell encapsulates the witches’ role as architects of chaos, reinforcing the idea that dark forces are at work to corrupt and unravel the natural order.
“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.”
Spoken as a premonition, this line conveys a palpable sense of impending doom. The phrase “pricking of my thumbs” implies a physical, almost instinctual reaction to the presence of evil, emphasizing that wickedness is both tangible and inescapable. The use of “something wicked” creates suspense and directly foreshadows Macbeth’s further descent into moral darkness. This line also underscores the witches’ role as seers who sense and shape the unfolding tragedy, hinting that the boundaries between natural and supernatural evil are fluid.
By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.”
