QUESTION ANSWERS
1. Do the witches in fact have any power?
The witches don't make the future what it is, their power over the future is telling Macbeth his future. The power of the future is arguably in Macbeth's hands as he acts on what the witches tell him. They don't have any powers to force anyone to do anything, although they can manipulate people's beliefs, and thus indirectly influence their actions.
2. How does Shakespeare use the witches to create atmosphere in the play?
Shakespeare uses the theme of the witches in the play to produce a spooky, dramatic atmosphere. Shakespeare expresses a dark, superstitious environment with the introduction. The witches open with thunder, lightning and rain. All three weather conditions are grim and depressing. This makes the set a very dramatic statement, distinctly creepy and unearthly.
3. What do the witches predict about Macbeth and Banquo's future?
The witches’ prophecies foreshadow future events. While the witches cannot force Macbeth or Banquo to do anything, they can manipulate their beliefs, thus indirectly influencing their actions.
The witches precisely state that Banquo "will be lesser and greater than Macbeth; even though he will never be king, his sons will." At first Banquo is puzzled by this and then considers it more deeply once he sees one of Macbeth's prophecies come true.
The witches predict that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor; " All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!"; and that he will become King; "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!".
4. How does Macbeth and Banquo react to the witches' prophecies?
Macbeth, starts, or flinches, according to Banquo. Banquo asks " Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear, Things that do sound so fair?". Macbeth's flinch demonstrates his reaction to being called the Thane of Cawdor and the prediction that he will be king. To flinch is to withdraw from as if from pain or anticipated pain. Macbeth tenses up, withdraws as he immediately realizes that the fulfillment of the prophecy may require conspiracy and murder on his part.
Banquo does not take the witches seriously - not at first and not until the first prediction comes true (Macbeth is named Thane of Cawdor).
5. In what time period was Shakespeare alive?
Shakespeare was alive from 1564 to 1616.
6. In 1597, how many of Shakespeare's plays were published?
15 of the 37 plays written by William Shakespeare were published by 1597.
The witches don't make the future what it is, their power over the future is telling Macbeth his future. The power of the future is arguably in Macbeth's hands as he acts on what the witches tell him. They don't have any powers to force anyone to do anything, although they can manipulate people's beliefs, and thus indirectly influence their actions.
2. How does Shakespeare use the witches to create atmosphere in the play?
Shakespeare uses the theme of the witches in the play to produce a spooky, dramatic atmosphere. Shakespeare expresses a dark, superstitious environment with the introduction. The witches open with thunder, lightning and rain. All three weather conditions are grim and depressing. This makes the set a very dramatic statement, distinctly creepy and unearthly.
3. What do the witches predict about Macbeth and Banquo's future?
The witches’ prophecies foreshadow future events. While the witches cannot force Macbeth or Banquo to do anything, they can manipulate their beliefs, thus indirectly influencing their actions.
The witches precisely state that Banquo "will be lesser and greater than Macbeth; even though he will never be king, his sons will." At first Banquo is puzzled by this and then considers it more deeply once he sees one of Macbeth's prophecies come true.
The witches predict that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor; " All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!"; and that he will become King; "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!".
4. How does Macbeth and Banquo react to the witches' prophecies?
Macbeth, starts, or flinches, according to Banquo. Banquo asks " Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear, Things that do sound so fair?". Macbeth's flinch demonstrates his reaction to being called the Thane of Cawdor and the prediction that he will be king. To flinch is to withdraw from as if from pain or anticipated pain. Macbeth tenses up, withdraws as he immediately realizes that the fulfillment of the prophecy may require conspiracy and murder on his part.
Banquo does not take the witches seriously - not at first and not until the first prediction comes true (Macbeth is named Thane of Cawdor).
5. In what time period was Shakespeare alive?
Shakespeare was alive from 1564 to 1616.
6. In 1597, how many of Shakespeare's plays were published?
15 of the 37 plays written by William Shakespeare were published by 1597.