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Macbeth: 'The Witches' Key Quotes.
I have created a PDF of all the most important quotes for the Witches in Macbeth.
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Key QuotationsThe Witches
Points to be made i.e. Analysis of
Quotation about how a character Language and Devices Links to Context
or theme presented and Structure
‘But ‘tis strange. And The theme of equivocation Banquo labels the witches Additionally, James I, and
oftentimes, to win us to our is explored here. Also, the using a metaphor ‘instruments the Jacobeans, believed in
themes of darkness and light of darkness’ to highlight the witchcraft. James I was
harm, the instruments of are explored. We see Banquo is capacity for evil that they so threatened by witches
darkness tell us truths …’. sceptical about the witches and possess. Shakespeare juxtaposes that he wrote a book about
able to resist the darkness of the the noun phrase ‘honest trifles’ Daemonologie.
Act 1 Scene 3 witches, unlike Macbeth. against the verb ‘betray’ to
expose the manipulative powers
of the witches.
‘There to meet with Theme of evil v good. Witches have already targeted Jacobeans believed in witchcraft
Macbeth’. Macbeth for their evil plan. and witches were thought to be
Linking Macbeth with the instruments of the Devil.
Act 1 Scene 1 witches creates a sense of
uncertainty.
‘Fair is foul, foul is fair’ The witches use oxymorons and The language is confusing and Jacobeans believed in witchcraft
antithesis to show that they can manipulative like the witches. and anything bad that
Act 1 Scene 1 use equivocation to trap people. happened was often attributed
Witches speak in riddles and
to witchcraft.
Theme of deception. use ambiguous language to
manipulate and trick mortals.
“So wither’d and so wild in Banquo is repulsed by the Banquo describes the witches The Jacobeans believed in
their attire, /That look not witches and repelled by them – they don’t seem to belong physiognomy where people’s
straight away. to the human world. They are characters were judged upon
like the inhabitants o’ the supernatural and frightening. their appearances. Additionally,
earth, /And yet are on’t” The alliteration draws attention the Jacobeans believed in
(Banquo) to the choice of adjectives used witchcraft and James I wrote
by Banquo. a book about witches called
Act 1 Scene 3 Daemonologie.
‘What he hath lost, noble Echoes the witches intensions It is riddle like to illustrate that Jacobeans believed in witchcraft
Macbeth hath won.’ to meet Macbeth and this the witches are always present. and anything bad that
emphasise the ambiguous It also shows that the witches happened was often attributed
nature of conflict, where success are able to manipulate anybody. to witchcraft.
Act 1 Scene 2
or failure depends on the
perspective of the individual.
‘So foul and fair a day I It shows that Macbeth is Echoes the chant of the witches Jacobeans believed in witchcraft
have not seen.’ already influenced by the in Scene 1. Shows they can be and anything bad that
witches. manipulate anybody. happened was often attributed
to witchcraft.
Act 1 Scene 3
1
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