Macbeth Study Guide: Opening Scene Flashcards and Quiz

Study Notes

Starting the Play with the Witches

The significance of starting the play with the witches lies in setting the tone for the rest of the story, introducing the supernatural element, and highlighting the theme of chaos and disorder.
The immediate effect of starting the play with the witches' scene is to grab the audience's attention, create a sense of unease, and establish the mood of the play.

Witches' Speech and Language

The witches' use of rhyming couplets when they speak adds to their otherworldly and mysterious nature, making them seem more sinister and ominous.
The line 'fair is foul and foul is fair' suggests that the witches blur the lines between good and evil, and their role is to manipulate and confuse reality.

Historical Context: King James and Witchcraft

King James was particularly interested in witchcraft because he believed in the existence of witches and wrote a book on the subject, "Daemonologie", which defended the idea of witch hunts.

Power and Doubt

Dr. Emma Smith questions the witches' power, suggesting that their abilities may be limited or uncertain, adding to the sense of ambiguity and uncertainty in the play.

Historical Context: Starting with the Witches

The main reason for starting the play with the witches according to historical context is that it reflects the widespread fear of witchcraft during the Jacobean era.

Imagery and Atmosphere

The line 'hover through the fog and filthy air' creates an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere, evoking a sense of darkness and foreboding.

Setting and Context

The significance of Macbeth being set in Scotland lies in its historical and cultural context, as Scotland was seen as a wild and mysterious place, adding to the play's sense of otherness and darkness.

Language and Class

Shakespeare's use of iambic pentameter for all of the Nobles in Macbeth signifies their aristocratic status, setting them apart from the other characters.

Description

This quiz explores the significance of Shakespeare's structural decision to start the play with the witches in Macbeth. It delves into the sense of mystery created, the enigmatic dialogue, and the construction of curiosity about the witches' role in the play.