Preview

Foreshadowing Of The Three Witches In Macbeth

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
188 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Foreshadowing Of The Three Witches In Macbeth
In Shakespeare’s MacBeth, Shakespeare uses the characters of the three witches to start the play with a dark and sinister mood. Shakespeare continues this theme throughout the play, therefore foreshadowing here how the rest of the play will be: Full of death and darkness. In the first scene, the three witches gather and plot a plan, “When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?” (Shakespeare 1.1.1-2) This shows the gloomy setting of where the witches meet. They seem to only meet in a not so cheerful environment. The witches then proceed with this dark theme and together say, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair; Hover through the fog and filthy air.” (Shakespeare 1.1.12-13) This foreshadows what is about to happen, and it
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Foreshadowing: A Literary Element in Shakespeare's Macbeth
    • 329 Words
    • 1 Page

    Foreshadowing: A Literary Element in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    William Shakespeare has been, and continues to be, one of the most famous writers of all time. His writings, specifically playwrights, include varieties of different writing techniques that never fail to capture the attention of audiences of all ages. One of his most famous tragedies – Macbeth – is certainly no disappointment. Though Macbeth is one of his shortest tragedies, Shakespeare takes the elements of madness, evilness, and jealousness and wraps them up into a timeless tale chock full of literary elements. One of the most studied and most profound literary elements found in Macbeth is foreshadowing. Foreshadow; verb; be a warning or indication of (a future event).” Foreshadowing gives the audience a hint of what is to come without completely giving away the event, though it will make sense after the event happens. The first example of foreshadowing we see in Macbeth is found in Act 1, Scene 1 in the three witches’ prophecies. We see the three witches show up multiple times throughout Macbeth to hint at the future. The reader immediately sees an example of the prophecies in Act 1, Scene 1 when the witches are talking about meeting Macbeth. They say that they will meet him “when the battle’s lost and won” (Act 1, Scene 1). Logistically, this phrase makes sense because every battle will have a loser and a winner, however when we look at the deeper meaning of this phrase, it shows the witches’ recurring “double meaning” way of speaking that will eventually give false hope to Macbeth in the ending battle scenes. We see another example of foreshadowing in the Act 1, Scene 1 witches’ prophecies of Macbeth as well. All of the witches come together and yell “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” (Act 1, Scene 1). The element of this phrase recurs throughout Macbeth to show the differences between reality and appearance. Macbeth quotes a similar version of this phrase in his first entrance when he says “So foul and fair a day I have not seen” (Act 1, Scene 3). The...…

    • 329 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Witches Role In Macbeth
    • 220 Words
    • 1 Page

    Witches Role In Macbeth

    Written by William Shakespeare, Macbeth has been edited by numerous editors and Shakespearian enthusiasts. But the one thing that is prominent in all works of the play is that they all mostly have the very same beginning. In a desolate place blasted by thunderstorms, three witches meet to predict the future. The witches don’t only come out once or twice during the play but instead are far more frequent. The witches play a far more important role in the play than being these ugly, old hags that tell the future. They aren’t your regular broomstick flying witches they are, “The Weird Sisters, hand in hand, posters of the sea and land.”(1.3; 32-33) possible the most powerful creatures we’ve read about. Yes, the title of the play is Macbeth, but…

    • 220 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How does Shakespeare present human weaknesses and flaws through Macbeth
    • 878 Words
    • 4 Pages

    How does Shakespeare present human weaknesses and flaws through Macbeth

    Structurally scene 1 opens with the witches gathered together reciting plans about meeting Macbeth, establishing an occult malevolence which permeates the play. The choice of starting with the witches instantly creates a mood of terror and unearthly evil, setting an unnatural and deceptive atmosphere. The third witch says, ‘There to meet Macbeth’, this intertwining of Macbeth reflects the relationship which will be made between him and the witches, and the evil which is going to be involved in Macbeth’s life. The arrangement of meeting place shows their target for the forces of evil, and their thorough planning of making an appointment to lure Macbeth to destruction. This scene symbolises the witches as a representation for temptation, therefore foreshadowing Macbeth’s potential human weakness to be susceptible to temptation, before we are even introduced to Macbeth himself.…

    • 878 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Macbeth Act Questions
    • 4388 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Macbeth Act Questions

    1) This scene is an effective and dramatic opening to the play, as we meet the three witches, also known as the Weird Sisters. We quickly point out that these witches possess powers meant only for evil and pain, as they are already placed in a meeting area in a setting that only screams evil, since it is raining with lightning bolts striking the ground nearby. But what truly makes the witches evil in the sense is that they chant together of meeting with the main character Macbeth, which we have only heard of being good, which means they may be planning to either kill or corrupt the hero. The witches also speak in iambic pentameter, this form of poetry is very well used as the witches speak in chants, giving the reader an even bigger sense of their evil.…

    • 4388 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Two Examples Of Blood And Darkness In Macbeth
    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Two Examples Of Blood And Darkness In Macbeth

    One example of this darkness would appear in Act I Scene I with the witches, when they say “Fair is foul, and foul is fair/ Hover through the fog and filthy air.” (1.1.12-13). This shows that Shakespeare gives a portentous feeling, it also shows that the witches give off an interesting vibe. The vibe the witches’ gives off definitely makes the readers pay closer attention to them throughout the play. The darkness continues in the line, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.”(1.3.39). Said by Macbeth himself. In this line he basically describes how the days have been both…

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Role Of The Witches In Macbeth
    • 118 Words
    • 1 Page

    The Role Of The Witches In Macbeth

    Like snakes, the witches of Macbeth poison Macbeth's mind and spread illness upon him. The tragic events in Macbeth are not primarily Macbeth's or Lady Macbeth's fault but rather the responsibility of the witches. They infect Macbeth with wickedness, send evil spirits to Lady Macbeth, and manipulate Macbeth with ambiguous prophecies. Shunned by society and living in solitude, these three weird sisters hide in the background using Macbeth as their puppet. Unbeknownst to all, Macbeth was not the root cause of the tragic events and time will never be free as long as these witches have the ability to influence whomever they choose. Perhaps that is the reason instability continues in the throne for the years that follow.…

    • 118 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Macbeth CW
    • 2107 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Macbeth CW

    In Act 1 Scene 3 the witches meet with Macbeth for the first time. An evil mood is created at the beginning of the scene as we hear of the discomfort the witches have been causing such as – “killing swine.” Before Macbeth arrives at the place where he will meet the witches, the witches prepare…

    • 2107 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Role Of Weather In Macbeth
    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Role Of Weather In Macbeth

    “So foul and fair a day I have not seen” (1.3.38) proclaims Macbeth as he unwittingly echoes the Weird Sisters’ incantation from the opening scene of Macbeth. The imagery of foul weather permeates the play, setting the tone and underscoring the unnaturalness of Macbeth’s treacherous behavior. Foul weather symbolizes both evil and the chaos it creates, and the most important function of weather imagery is to link Macbeth with evil and chaos.…

    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Strong Feelings in William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'
    • 2782 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Strong Feelings in William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'

    The opening scene of ‘Macbeth’ is set in an wild and isolated place – the moorland is far removed from society and away from the usual social rules. The weather too is poor and hostile: the ‘fog and filthy air’ suggests gloom and unhealthiness. This is a place alien to human values, of darkness and foulness, and is a sinister challenge to ordinary goodness. The Witches’ use of rhyme in their speech is used throughout the play to bring a sense of incantation and magical charms. We are presented with a paradox when they chant, ‘When the battles’ lost and won’ and ‘fair is foul and foul is fair’ as the phrases seem to be impossible opposites. This instantly creates a sense of confusion, upsetting the natural order of things. This is echoed by the use of thunder and lightning, which is also associated with evil.…

    • 2782 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth Character Analysis
    • 870 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Macbeth Character Analysis

    Not only to develop Macbeth’s character, but to develop multiple themes throughout the play. One of the main thing the Witches do in the play is to create the theme of evil and supernatural. They do this from the very first scene when come and talking about about meeting Macbeth and saying their famous chant, “Fair is foul,foul is fair,/Hover through the fog and filthy air.” (1.1 13-14) When they say these lines and mention meeting with Macbeth; they immediately create the theme of evil and supernatural and make the audience wonder what they are planning to do to Macbeth. The Witches also help to create the theme of ambition They do this by giving Macbeth profecias and once one comes true, Macbeth says, “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical.” (1.3 38) When Macbeth says this line; it can be seen that Macbeth is thinking ambitious thoughts of killing the king to have the second part come true. Later in the play Macbeth returns to the Witches for more prophecies; they gave him deceptive prophecies that gave him false hope. These prophecies made Macbeth think he was invulnerable which made him over confident. When he found out the prophecies tricked him he says, “ Accused be the tongue that tells me so,/ For it hath cow’d my better part of man.” (5.8 17-18)He says this because he finally realises that he was deceived by the Witches. Throughout the play, the witches help the theme of evil and supernatural,…

    • 870 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    macbeth
    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages

    macbeth

    Act 1, Scene 3: Now that the witches' prophecy has been realized, they reconvene at the predetermined heath. The first witch explains to the others why she was late in coming. Angered at the impudence of a sailor's wife in not giving her chestnuts, the first witch vows to seek revenge on the sailor, making him a sleepless, cursed man. It is important to note here that the witch (and thus Shakespeare and the audience) associates sleeplessness with an evil or cursed life. Macbeth, after killing King Duncan, can hardly sleep because of his ghastly nightmares. While the witches are talking, Macbeth and Banquo enter the area. Macbeth proclaims that he has never seen a day "so fair and foul." (Act 1, Scene 3, Line 38) This is reminiscent of the weird sisters' statement in Act 1, Scene 1 that "fair is foul and foul is fair." This is a prominent theme in the play, as it beautifully expresses the macabre state of affairs within Macbeth and without. Banquo, after seeing the witches, becomes horrified by their hideous appearances.…

    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Use Of Darkness In Macbeth
    • 451 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Use Of Darkness In Macbeth

    The last quote at the end of scene one “Fair is foul, and foul is fair, hover through the fog and filthy air” shows that the meeting place of the witches was not only in the thunder but also in the dark smoggy filthy air (I, i, 14-15). Further symbolizing the witches evilness through the power of darkness. The very appearance of the witches shows their evil and how they are ominous and the controllers of fate. When the witches say “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” on the dark and stormy night it instantly sparks a flame of evil inside Macbeth (I, i, 151). Shortly after Macbeth states, “Stars, hide your light so no one can see the terrible desires within me. . I won’t let my eye look at what my hand is doing, but in the end I’m still going to do that thing I’d be horrified to see”(I, iv, 331-336). This quote from macbeth is already showing how the darkness is seeping inside of him turning him evil only a few scenes after the witches revealed his prophecy, though we do see some hesitation in his advances. Macbeth however isn't…

    • 451 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Darkness In Macbeth
    • 963 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Darkness In Macbeth

    Whenever the witches make an appearance, a storm or darkened forest accompanies them. This represents great evilness and darkens the atmosphere. The opening scene description states, “Thunder and lightening. Enter three Witches.” (Act I sc.i) Which is said before the witches are introduced, proves that a dark and evil atmosphere surrounds them. It also depicts how they are followed by that kind of nature due to the storm conditions. The witches also carry with them, an atmosphere that resembles pure filthiness, “Fair is foul and foul is fair. Hover through the fog and filthy air.” (Act I sc.i, l.11-12) This shows that they are dirty, evil, and nothing more than a walking plague. An example to show how dark imagery also gives a clear picture of the conditions would be towards the end of Hecate’s, queen of witches, speech, “Hark! I am call’d; my little spirit, see. Sits in a foggy cloud, and stays for me.” (Act III sc.v, l.34-35) This could possibly give a clear picture of the ugly and foggy conditions that are shown with this type of dark imagery. These are effective examples of Shakespeare being able to form a link between dark imagery to intensify an evil atmosphere with stormy weather and ugly conditions to develop the darkness and evilness of the mood as well as the…

    • 963 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Dramatic Techniques in Macbeth
    • 1187 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Dramatic Techniques in Macbeth

    Dramatic irony is employed from the beginning of the play. The repetition of the paradox “fair is foul and foul is fair” (Act 1 Sc 1) by the Witches introduces the theme of the disruption of the natural order. Macbeth echoes similar words just before his first encounter with them, “so foul and fair a day I have not seen” (Act 1 Sc lll). This draws to the audience's attention the relationship that will form between Macbeth and the Weird Sisters. Dramatic irony is employed here, since Macbeth is unaware at this stage of the importance of his words. The audience though are able to see the connection, which creates dramatic suspense. His words highlight the contribution of the Witches to the events and outcomes of the play. Foreshadowing is one of the first dramatic techniques to be used in the play. In his meeting with the witches in Act 1 Sc lll, Macbeth learns of the prophecy. It plants the idea of treason in his mind. It is Macbeth's ambition that compels him to commit regicide. Without the deliverance of the prophecy by the Witches, Macbeth would not have considered becoming king. Macbeth at this stage of the action considers the witches insignificant, lowly and evil. He is initially fearful of them and approaches them with…

    • 1187 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Three Witches In Macbeth
    • 180 Words
    • 1 Page

    The Three Witches In Macbeth

    In William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. Act 1, scene 1 introduces the witches and their plan of encountering Macbeth. The three witches reveal that the theme is that there is evil lurking around. Shakespeare has foreshadowed the fate of Macbeth as the witches discuss how they’ll be “[T]here to meet with Macbeth” (1.1.8). This quotation is significant because it introduces the main character, Macbeth, and is an indication to the reader on what will happen soon. On my slide, I chose to include a picture of the three witches meeting to plan what they are about to do. The picture points out the witches’ facial reaction and how they will be up to no good. In the opening sentence by the first witch, they talked about the setting on “[W]here shall…

    • 180 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More

Related Topics