The Witches in Macbeth

​The Witches and the Supernatural

The Witches in Macbeth

The Witches and the Supernatural

The Witches in Macbeth relate to the themes of fate/destiny, the supernatural; and to ambition as they are the beings that inform him that he will be king. In Macbeth we see them setting spells, seeking to disrupt the natural world and creating mischief. Chaotic weather seems to relate to them too - thunder, lightening and rain are cited multiple times when we see them in the play, and when violent events occur.

Macbeth seeks out the Witches, who are casting a spell. They seem to know he is on his way. He asks for his future, and again the tell him; but without giving him the whole story.

Second Meeting

The Witches appear before Macbeth and Banquo after a violent battle. They tell them, without given them the WHOLE story, their futures.

First meeting

The Plot and the Witches

1. View the clip from ClickView

2. Take note of what the Witches say and how they say it (techniques)

3. Critical Questions

   Are the witches deliberately deceptive? Why?

   How do the witches characterise Banquo and Macbeth?

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Act 4 - Macbeth's second meeting with the Witches

​*NOTE: The video is not the exact script from the play. It is condensed and simplified.

Reorder

Reorder the following to be in the order in which the Witches made their prediction:

• All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!

• All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!

• All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

1. View the clip from ClickView

2. Take note of what the Witches say and how they say it (techniques)

3. Critical Questions

   What theme does the clip most relate too? How are the Witches characterised (their traits)?

Act 4 - Macbeth's second meeting with the Witches

​​*NOTE: The video is not the exact script from the play. It is condensed and simplified.

Multiple Choice

What are apparitions?

• Visions - they are not physically there

• Objects - they are physically there

• Ghosts - they haunt Macbeth for the evil he has done

• Appearances - they are change the way the witches look

Labelling

Place the correct label on the technique shown in the text.

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

simile

imagery

alliteration

Hotspot

What is something that would be considered unnatural (perhaps impossible) in the text of the place. Click and put a rectangle on the part that seems impossible.

Multiple Choice

What happens after the witches say, “By the pricking of my thumbs,/Something wicked this way comes…”?

• An earthquake occurs

• Macbeth enters the cavern

• Lennox walks by

• The cauldron explodes

Multiple Choice

"Something wicked this way comes…" - in this quote 'wicked' means...

• wholesome

• good

• naughty

• evil

Multiple Choice

"Something wicked this way comes…" - who is being referred to in this statement from the Witches?

• Lady Macbeth

• Macbeth

• Banquo

• Macduff