Witches

Witches

1. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" (A1,S1)

   • Example of paradox + at the start of the play (immediately unsettle audience)
   • Nothing is as it seems in the play - theme of deception
   • Reveals witches evil and manipulative nature

2. "the instruments of darkness" (Banquo - A1,S3)

   • emphasises the witches are evil
   • Image of darkness + metaphor of Satan/hell

3. "In thunder, lightening or in rain" (A1, S1)

   • pathatic fallacy; usually accompanied by these weathers
   • Context - audience in Shakespeare’s time would be frightened of the witches.
   • Sets a dark, ominous atmosphere

4. "So withered and so wild"

   • Supernatural - seen as not humans so even more powerful

5. "Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble" (A4, S1)