Questions and Answers
What prophecy do the witches make about Macbeth?
What does the phrase 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair' imply?
The distinction between good and bad is blurred.
What does Banquo imply by stating that the witches should be women but have beards?
He questions their gender and nature.
What do the witches say about Banquo in relation to kingship?
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What is the first prophecy given to Macbeth?
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The statement 'for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth' refers to _____ being exempt from harming him.
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What does the prophecy about Birnam Wood imply for Macbeth?
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Study Notes
Witches' Prophecies
- The witches greet Macbeth with significant titles: Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and future king, illustrating their ability to predict his rise in power.
- These prophecies trigger Macbeth's ambition, leading to his moral decline and eventual tragedy, emphasized by the importance of the witches' influence.
Duality of Morality
- "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" expresses the theme of moral confusion, where appearances deceive and the lines between good and evil blur.
Banquo's Observation
- Banquo points out the witches' unnatural appearances, challenging their identity and highlighting their supernatural and ominous nature.
Banquo’s Fate
- The witches prophesy that Banquo will father kings but never rule himself, establishing a contrast between his destiny and Macbeth’s, while suggesting Banquo’s lineage is more significant.
Prophecies of Fate
- The first prophecy warns Macbeth to beware of Macduff, foreshadowing his eventual downfall through this character.
- The second prophecy assures Macbeth that he cannot be killed by anyone born of a woman, which creates a false sense of invulnerability.
- The third prophecy foretells that he will not be defeated until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane, symbolizing an impossible scenario that eventually leads to his demise.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the significant quotes by the witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth. These quotes are crucial to understanding the themes of ambition and prophecy that drive the play's tragic events. Use these flashcards to deepen your grasp of the text's key elements.
