Thunder. Enter the three Witches, meeting Hecate.
- Effect: The scene starts with thunder, creating an ominous atmosphere.
- Theme: Supernatural elements, Fate vs. Free Will
FIRST WITCH:
“Why, how now, Hecate? You look angerly.”
- Explanation: The First Witch is surprised and asks why Hecate looks angry.
- Language device: Dramatic irony – The audience knows that Hecate is the queen of witches, but the witches have acted without her approval.
HECATE:
“Have I not reason, beldams as you are?”
- Explanation: Hecate asks if she doesn’t have a right to be angry, calling them “beldams” (old hags).
- Language device: Rhetorical question – Used to emphasize her anger.
“Saucy and overbold, how did you dare”
- Explanation: She calls them rude and reckless for acting without her permission.
- Theme: Power and Control – Hecate establishes her authority over the witches.
“To trade and traffic with Macbeth”
- Explanation: She is upset that the witches have been dealing with Macbeth behind her back.
- Language device: Metaphor – “Trade and traffic” makes their magic sound like a business.
“In riddles and affairs of death,”
- Explanation: The witches have been speaking in confusing riddles and influencing deadly events.
- Theme: Deception – The witches use tricky language to manipulate Macbeth.
“And I, the mistress of your charms,
The close contriver of all harms,”
- Explanation: Hecate reminds them that she is the leader and the one who truly creates harm.
- Language device: Alliteration (“close contriver”) makes it sound more poetic and emphasizes her power.
“Was never called to bear my part
Or show the glory of our art?”
- Explanation: She is offended that they did not include her in their magic.
“And which is worse, all you have done
Hath been but for a wayward son,”
- Explanation: She thinks Macbeth is reckless and ungrateful, like a rebellious child.
- Language device: Metaphor – Calling Macbeth a “wayward son” shows that he is unpredictable and selfish.
“Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do,
Loves for his own ends, not for you.”
- Explanation: Macbeth only cares about himself, not the witches.
- Theme: Ambition – Macbeth is focused only on his own power.
“But make amends now. Get you gone,”
- Explanation: She orders them to fix their mistake by preparing for the next meeting.
- Language device: Imperative command (“Get you gone”) shows her authority.
“And at the pit of Acheron
Meet me i’ th’ morning.”
- Explanation: She tells them to meet her at the pit of Acheron (a river in Greek mythology linked to the underworld).
- Theme: Fate and Destiny – The witches are planning Macbeth’s downfall.
“Thither he / Will come to know his destiny.”
- Explanation: Macbeth will come to seek more prophecies.
“Your vessels and your spells provide,
Your charms and everything beside.”
- Explanation: Hecate tells them to prepare their magical items.
“I am for th’ air. This night I’ll spend
Unto a dismal and a fatal end.”
- Explanation: She will go into the air and cause something terrible to happen.
- Theme: Fate and Death – Hecate is planning Macbeth’s doom.
“Great business must be wrought ere noon.”
- Explanation: Something important must happen before noon.
“Upon the corner of the moon
https://wirelessbin.com/y9p8fv9cgu?key=325dca5266057209fa559a9743973653
There hangs a vap’rous drop profound.”
- Explanation: A magical drop is hanging on the moon, which she will use for her spells.
- Theme: Supernatural – Magic and the moon are connected.
“I’ll catch it ere it come to ground,
And that, distilled by magic sleights,”
- Explanation: She will catch the drop before it falls and use it in her spell.
“Shall raise such artificial sprites
As by the strength of their illusion
Shall draw him on to his confusion.”
- Explanation: She will create ghostly figures (spirits) to trick Macbeth.
- Language device: Alliteration (“strength of their illusion”) makes it sound more mystical.
“He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear
His hopes ’bove wisdom, grace, and fear.”
- Explanation: Macbeth will become overconfident, ignoring fate and wisdom.
- Theme: Hubris (excessive pride) – His overconfidence will lead to his downfall.
“And you all know, security
Is mortals’ chiefest enemy.”
- Explanation: Overconfidence is the biggest danger for humans.
Music and a song.
- Effect: Music makes the scene feel more mystical and eerie.
“Hark! I am called. My little spirit, see,
Sits in a foggy cloud and stays for me.”
- Explanation: Hecate’s spirit is waiting for her in the fog.
Hecate exits.
- Effect: Hecate leaves dramatically, emphasizing her supernatural power.
Sing within “Come away, come away,” etc.
- Effect: The song adds to the mystical and unsettling mood.
FIRST WITCH:
“Come, let’s make haste. She’ll soon be back again.”
- Explanation: The witches hurry to follow Hecate’s orders.
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