Short Note on Act 1 Scene 1 as per ISC:

The play Macbeth by William Shakespeare opens with a scene that sets the tone
and mood for the rest of the tragedy. In a desolate place blasted by thunderstorms,
three witches appear, speaking in rhyming, paradoxical couplets: "when the battle's
lost and won" (1.1.4); "fair is foul, and foul is fair" (1.1.10). They agree to meet again
on the heath (plain) when the battle now raging ends. There they'll meet Macbeth.

This scene introduces the main characters of the play: the witches and Macbeth. The
witches are mysterious and sinister, associated with dark forces and evil intentions.
They speak in a cryptic language that foreshadows the events and themes of the
play: war, fate, ambition, deception, and equivocation. They also hint at Macbeth's
role as their instrument of chaos and destruction, as they plan to confront him after
the battle.

Macbeth is not present in this scene, but his name is mentioned by the witches,
suggesting that he is somehow connected to them and their prophecies. The
audience is left curious and intrigued about who Macbeth is and what he will do
when he meets the witches.

The scene also establishes the setting and context of the play: Scotland in the
eleventh century, during a time of civil war and foreign invasion. The stormy weather
reflects the turmoil and violence that plague the country and its people. The heath,
an open and barren place, symbolizes the moral wasteland that Macbeth will create
with his actions.

The scene is brief but powerful, creating a sense of mystery, suspense, and
anticipation for what will follow. It also sets up the contrast between appearance and
reality, order and disorder, good and evil, that will dominate the play.

SIGNIFICANCE OF “FAIR IS FOUL, FOUL IS FAIR”

The lines "fair is foul, foul is fair" are spoken by the three witches in the opening
scene of Macbeth. They are a paradox and a motif that runs throughout the play.
They mean that appearances can be deceiving, and things that seem good may
actually be bad, while things that seem bad may actually be good¹².

The lines foreshadow the events and themes of the play, such as war, fate, ambition,
deception, and equivocation. They also hint at Macbeth's role as the witches'
instrument of chaos and destruction, as they plan to confront him after the battle¹².
The lines also establish the contrast between appearance and reality, order and
disorder, good and evil, that will dominate the play. Macbeth will be prophesied king,
and then seize the crown for himself; he will go from Duncan's favourite to Duncan's
murderer; from Banquo's closest friend to his cold-blooded killer. Fair, then, will well
and truly become foul in the play, and Macbeth is filled with images of corruption,
putrefaction, strange omens, and foulness of all kinds. The pair of opposites, foul
and fair, will dissolve into one: fair has been rendered foul, and foul has become fair.
Good and evil appear to have swapped places²³.

The lines also create a sense of mystery, suspense, and anticipation for what will
follow. They show the witches' power to manipulate Macbeth into accepting their
prophecies. They also show the witches' connection to the natural world and their
ability to create fog and filthy air that obscures vision and morality.

ROLE OF WITCHES IN MACBETH

The witches in Macbeth are important figures in the play, as their function is both to
predict Macbeth's fate and to signal what is to come. They also shape the actions
Macbeth takes by tempting him with their prophecies and manipulating his
ambition¹².

Shakespeare uses the witches to explore the power of supernatural forces on the
human world. He shows how they can influence human actions and emotions, and
how they can create chaos, conflict, and darkness¹³. The witches also represent the
theme of appearance versus reality, as they speak in paradoxes and equivocations,
and disguise their true nature²⁴.

The witches are mysterious and sinister, associated with dark magic and evil
intentions. They speak in a cryptic language that foreshadows the events and
themes of the play. They also have a connection to the natural world and their ability
to create fog and filthy air that obscures vision and morality²⁵.

The witches are not independent agents, but agents of fate, whose prophecies are
only reports of the inevitable. However, some of their prophecies seem self-fulfilling,
as they trigger Macbeth's ambition and drive him to murder. In other cases, their
prophecies are remarkably accurate readings of the future, such as Birnam Wood
coming to Dunsinane²³.
The witches are well outside the limits of human comprehension. They embody an
unreasoning, instinctive evil that challenges the moral order of the play. They are
also a source of mystery, suspense, and anticipation for what will follow²³.

THEMES IN ACT 1 SCENE 1 OF MACBETH:

- The supernatural: The scene introduces the theme of the supernatural by
presenting the three witches, who are associated with dark magic and evil intentions.
They speak in a cryptic language that foreshadows the events and themes of the
play. They also have a connection to the natural world and their ability to create fog
and filthy air that obscures vision and morality²³.

- Fate and free will: The scene also introduces the theme of fate and free will by
showing the witches' power to predict Macbeth's fate and to influence his actions.
They plan to meet him after the battle and tempt him with their prophecies. They also
speak in paradoxes and equivocations, such as "when the battle's lost and won" and
"fair is foul, and foul is fair", that suggest a confusion between what is predetermined
and what is chosen¹⁴.

- Appearance versus reality: The scene also establishes the theme of

appearance versus reality by showing the contrast between what seems to be and
what actually is. The witches appear to be women, but they have beards. They
speak of fair things, but they are foul. They create an atmosphere of mystery,
suspense, and anticipation for what will follow²⁵.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PETS OF WITCHES IN

MACBETH
The pets of witches, also known as their familiars, are animals that assist them in
their magic and provide them with companionship. They are often associated with
dark forces and evil spirits. In Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth, two of the three witches
reveal their familiars: a grey cat named Graymalkin and a toad named Paddock. The
third witch's familiar is not mentioned, but some critics suggest it could be an owl³.

The pets of witches have several significances in the play:

- They show the connection between the witches and the natural world, and their
ability to manipulate it for their own purposes. The animals are also symbols of the
witches' power and influence over human affairs¹².
- They create a sense of mystery and suspense, as they signal the departure of the
witches and their intention to meet Macbeth after the battle. They also foreshadow
the events and themes of the play, such as war, fate, ambition, deception, and evil¹².
- They reflect the characteristics and personalities of the witches, as they are both
common and uncommon animals. The cat and the toad are familiar creatures that
were often kept as pets or seen as pests in Shakespeare's time. However, they are
also associated with witchcraft and superstition, as they were believed to be able to
transform into other shapes or communicate with the devil²³. The owl, if it is indeed
the third witch's familiar, is also a paradoxical animal: it is a symbol of wisdom and
knowledge, but also of darkness and death³.

SIGNIFICANCE OF GRAYMALKIN IN ACT 1

SCENE 1
Gray Malkin is the name of the familiar spirit of the first witch in Macbeth. A familiar
spirit is an attendant demon given to a witch to assist him/her in doing evil. A familiar
spirit usually takes the form of an animal, such as a cat, a toad, or an owl¹².

Gray Malkin signifies several things in the play:

- It shows the connection between the witch and the supernatural world, and her
ability to communicate with her familiar through a secret language. The witch
responds to Gray Malkin's call by saying "I come, Graymalkin" (1.1.10), indicating
that she obeys her familiar's commands²³.
- It creates a sense of mystery and suspense, as it signals the departure of the witch
and her intention to meet Macbeth after the battle. It also foreshadows the events
and themes of the play, such as war, fate, ambition, deception, and evil²³.
- It reflects the characteristics and personality of the witch, as it is a common and yet
uncommon animal. The cat is a familiar creature that was often kept as a pet or seen
as a pest in Shakespeare's time. However, it is also associated with witchcraft and
superstition, as it was believed to be able to transform into other shapes or
communicate with the devil²⁴. The name Gray Malkin also suggests a grey or dirty
cat, implying that the witch is old and unclean⁵.

ROLE OF PADDOCK IN MACBETH

Paddock is the name of the familiar spirit of the second witch in Macbeth. A familiar
spirit is an attendant demon given to a witch to assist him/her in doing evil. A familiar
spirit usually takes the form of an animal, such as a cat, a toad, or an owl¹².
Paddock has a similar role to Gray Malkin, the familiar of the first witch. Paddock
signifies several things in the play:
- It shows the connection between the witch and the supernatural world, and her
ability to communicate with her familiar through a secret language. The witch
responds to Paddock's call by saying "Paddock calls" (1.1.11), indicating that she
obeys her familiar's commands²³.
- It creates a sense of mystery and suspense, as it signals the departure of the witch
and her intention to meet Macbeth after the battle. It also foreshadows the events
and themes of the play, such as war, fate, ambition, deception, and evil²³.
- It reflects the characteristics and personality of the witch, as it is a common and yet
uncommon animal. The toad is a familiar creature that was often seen as a pest or a
symbol of ugliness in Shakespeare's time. However, it is also associated with
witchcraft and superstition, as it was believed to be able to produce venom or cure
diseases²⁴. The name Paddock also suggests a small enclosure or field, implying
that the witch is confined or isolated⁵.

CRITICAL REMARKS ON ACT 1 SCENE 1 OF

MACBETH:
- The scene is brief but powerful, creating a sense of mystery, suspense, and
anticipation for what will follow. It also sets up the contrast between appearance and
reality, order and disorder, good and evil, that will dominate the play¹².
- The scene introduces the main characters of the play: the witches and Macbeth.
The witches are mysterious and sinister, associated with dark forces and evil
intentions. They speak in a cryptic language that foreshadows the events and
themes of the play: war, fate, ambition, deception, and equivocation. They also hint
at Macbeth's role as their instrument of chaos and destruction, as they plan to
confront him after the battle¹².
- The scene also establishes the setting and context of the play: Scotland in the
eleventh century, during a time of civil war and foreign invasion. The stormy weather
reflects the turmoil and violence that plague the country and its people. The heath,
an open and barren place, symbolizes the moral wasteland that Macbeth will create
with his actions²³.
- The scene also introduces one of the most important themes in the play: the
paradoxical nature of reality. The witches speak in rhyming, paradoxical couplets:
"when the battle's lost and won" (1.1.4); "fair is foul, and foul is fair" (1.1.10). These
lines suggest that appearances can be deceiving, and things that seem good may
actually be bad, while things that seem bad may actually be good²⁴. They also
suggest a confusion between what is predetermined and what is chosen, as well as
a moral ambiguity that pervades the play⁴.
 SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBER THREE IN
MACBETH
The number three is symbolic in Macbeth because it is an important number in both
paganism and Christianity. Three represents the triad: father, mother and child; birth,
life and death; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The number three also has a mystical pull
on both pagan and Christian beliefs¹².

The number three is significant in Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth because it relates to the
number of witches who appear in the scene. The witches are the agents of fate who
predict Macbeth's destiny and influence his actions. They are also associated with
dark magic and evil intentions. The number of witches reflects the theme of the
supernatural and the power of supernatural forces on the human world²³.

The number three also foreshadows the events and themes of the play, such as war,
fate, ambition, deception, and evil. The witches speak in paradoxes and
equivocations, such as "when the battle's lost and won" and "fair is foul, and foul is
fair", that suggest a confusion between what is predetermined and what is chosen,
as well as a moral ambiguity that pervades the play. The number three also hints at
Macbeth's role as their instrument of chaos and destruction, as they plan to confront
him after the battle²⁴.

The number three also creates a sense of mystery and suspense, as it signals the
departure of the witches and their intention to meet Macbeth after the battle. It also
suggests that things happen in threes and something takes a turn for the worse. For
example, in the play, there are three murders committed by Macbeth: Duncan,
Banquo, and Macduff's family. There are also three apparitions that appear to
Macbeth in Act 4 Scene 1: an armed head, a bloody child, and a crowned child
holding a tree².

WHY THREE WITCHES IN MACBETH?

The number of witches is three in Macbeth because it is an important number in both
paganism and Christianity. Three represents the triad: father, mother and child; birth,
life and death; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The number three also has a mystical pull
on both pagan and Christian beliefs.

The number three is significant in Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth because it relates to the
number of witches who appear in the scene. The witches are the agents of fate who
predict Macbeth's destiny and influence his actions. They are also associated with
dark magic and evil intentions. The number of witches reflects the theme of the
supernatural and the power of supernatural forces on the human world.
The number three also foreshadows the events and themes of the play, such as war,
fate, ambition, deception, and evil. The witches speak in paradoxes and
equivocations, such as "when the battle's lost and won" and "fair is foul, and foul is
fair", that suggest a confusion between what is predetermined and what is chosen,
as well as a moral ambiguity that pervades the play. The number three also hints at
Macbeth's role as their instrument of chaos and destruction, as they plan to confront
him after the battle²⁴.

The number three also creates a sense of mystery and suspense, as it signals the
departure of the witches and their intention to meet Macbeth after the battle. It also
suggests that things happen in threes and something takes a turn for the worse. For
example, in the play, there are three murders committed by Macbeth: Duncan,
Banquo, and Macduff's family. There are also three apparitions that appear to
Macbeth in Act 4 Scene 1: an armed head, a bloody child, and a crowned child
holding a tree.

The number of witches is not 5 or 7 or 9 or 11 because these numbers do not have

the same symbolic significance or resonance as three. Five is associated with
balance and harmony, but also with instability and change. Seven is associated with
perfection and completion, but also with luck and fortune. Nine is associated with
wisdom and enlightenment, but also with finality and judgment. Eleven is associated
with intuition and vision, but also with rebellion and disorder. None of these numbers
fit well with the role and function of the witches in Macbeth.

SIGNIFICANCE OF ACT 1 SCENE 1

Act 1 Scene 1 in Macbeth is appropriate and necessary for the play because it
serves several purposes:
- It sets the tone and mood for the rest of the tragedy. The scene is dark, stormy, and
mysterious, creating a sense of fear and anticipation for what will follow. It also
introduces the theme of the supernatural and the power of evil forces on the human
world.
- It introduces the main characters of the play: the witches and Macbeth. The witches
are the agents of fate who predict Macbeth's destiny and influence his actions. They
are also associated with dark magic and evil intentions. They speak in a cryptic
language that foreshadows the events and themes of the play: war, fate, ambition,
deception, and equivocation. They also hint at Macbeth's role as their instrument of
chaos and destruction, as they plan to confront him after the battle.
- It establishes the contrast between appearance and reality, order and disorder,
good and evil, that will dominate the play. The witches speak in paradoxes and
equivocations, such as "when the battle's lost and won" and "fair is foul, and foul is
fair", that suggest a confusion between what is predetermined and what is chosen,
as well as a moral ambiguity that pervades the play. They also create an atmosphere
of mystery, suspense, and anticipation for what will follow.
Starting the play from Act 1 Scene 2 would not have the same effect or impact as
starting from Act 1 Scene 1. Act 1 Scene 2 is a scene of war and violence, where
Macbeth is praised as a brave and loyal soldier who defeats the enemy. This scene
would not set the tone or mood for the tragedy, nor would it introduce the main
characters or themes of the play. It would also not create a sense of mystery or
suspense, as it would reveal Macbeth's identity and actions before meeting the
witches. It would also not establish the contrast between appearance and reality,
order and disorder, good and evil, as it would present Macbeth as a hero rather than
a villain. Therefore, Act 1 Scene 1 is appropriate and necessary for the play.

MODEL QUESTIONES FROM ACT 1 SCENE 1:

Here are some model questions as per ISC standards from Act
1 Scene 1 of Macbeth play:

- What is the setting and context of Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth?

How does it create a sense of tone and mood for the play? (5
marks)
ANS: The setting and context of Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth are as follows:
- The scene takes place in a desolate place blasted by thunderstorms, where three
witches appear and speak to each other. They agree to meet again on the heath
(plain) when the battle now raging ends. There they'll meet Macbeth.
- The scene is set in Scotland in the eleventh century, during a time of civil war and
foreign invasion. Macbeth is a Scottish general who is fighting against the rebels and
the Norwegians who are trying to overthrow King Duncan.
- The scene creates a sense of tone and mood for the play by using various
elements, such as:
- The weather: The stormy weather reflects the turmoil and violence that plague the
country and its people. It also creates a sense of fear and dread for what will happen
next.
- The witches: The witches are mysterious and sinister, associated with dark forces
and evil intentions. They speak in a cryptic language that foreshadows the events
and themes of the play: war, fate, ambition, deception, and equivocation. They also
hint at Macbeth's role as their instrument of chaos and destruction, as they plan to
confront him after the battle.
- The paradoxes: The witches speak in paradoxes and equivocations, such as
"when the battle's lost and won" (1.1.4); "fair is foul, and foul is fair" (1.1.10). These
lines suggest that appearances can be deceiving, and things that seem good may
actually be bad, while things that seem bad may actually be good. They also suggest
a confusion between what is predetermined and what is chosen, as well as a moral
ambiguity that pervades the play.
- The heath: The heath, an open and barren place, symbolizes the moral wasteland
that Macbeth will create with his actions. It also suggests a place of isolation and
danger, where the witches can operate without being seen or heard.
The scene sets the tone and mood for the rest of the tragedy, which will be dark,
violent, and full of supernatural elements. It also introduces the main characters and
themes of the play, and creates a sense of mystery, suspense, and anticipation for
what will follow.

- Who are the three witches in Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth? What

are their roles and functions in the play? How do they relate to
Macbeth? (5 marks)
ANS: The three witches in Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth are as follows:

- They are mysterious and sinister characters who are associated with dark magic
and evil intentions. They are also known as the Weird Sisters or the Wayward
Sisters, and they resemble the three Fates of classical mythology, who control
human destiny.
- Their roles and functions in the play are to predict Macbeth's fate and to influence
his actions. They are also agents and witnesses of the events and themes of the
play, such as war, fate, ambition, deception, and evil. They also shape the actions of
other characters, such as Banquo, Macduff, and Lady Macbeth.
- They relate to Macbeth by tempting him with their prophecies and manipulating his
ambition. They hail him as the future king of Scotland and tell him that he will be
thane of Cawdor and Glamis. They also tell him that Banquo's descendants will be
kings. They make him curious and eager to fulfil their predictions, and they drive him
to murder Duncan and seize the throne. They also confuse and deceive him with
their ambiguous and paradoxical words, such as "none of woman born shall harm
Macbeth" (4.1.80) and "Macbeth shall never vanquished be until / Great Birnam
Wood to high Dunsinane Hill / Shall come against him" (4.1.92–94). They lead him to
his downfall and destruction by playing upon his weaknesses and fears.

- What are the paradoxes and equivocations that the witches

speak in Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth? What do they foreshadow
and suggest about the events and themes of the play? (5
marks)
ANS: The paradoxes and equivocations that the witches speak in Act 1 Scene 1 of
Macbeth are as follows:
- Paradoxes are statements that seem contradictory or absurd, but may actually be
true or meaningful. For example, the witches say "when the battle's lost and won"
(1.1.4), which implies that the same battle can have two opposite outcomes,
depending on the perspective. They also say "fair is foul, and foul is fair" (1.1.10),
which suggests that good and evil are interchangeable or indistinguishable.
- Equivocations are statements that have more than one possible meaning or
interpretation, and can be used to deceive or mislead. For example, the witches say
"there to meet with Macbeth" (1.1.7), which can mean either to encounter him by
chance or to confront him deliberately. They also say "hover through the fog and
filthy air" (1.1.11), which can mean either to fly or to linger in the atmosphere.
The paradoxes and equivocations that the witches speak foreshadow and suggest
the following events and themes of the play:
- They foreshadow the events of the play by hinting at Macbeth's rise and fall, as well
as the conflicts and contradictions that he will face. For example, the paradox of
"when the battle's lost and won" foreshadows Macbeth's victory over the rebels and
the Norwegians, but also his defeat by Macduff and Malcolm. The equivocation of
"there to meet with Macbeth" foreshadows the witches' influence on Macbeth's
actions and decisions, as well as his curiosity and eagerness to hear their
prophecies.
- They suggest the themes of the play by highlighting the ambiguity and complexity
of reality, morality, and destiny. For example, the paradox of "fair is foul, and foul is
fair" suggests that appearances can be deceiving, and things that seem good may
actually be bad, while things that seem bad may actually be good. The equivocation
of "hover through the fog and filthy air" suggests that the witches create an
atmosphere of mystery, suspense, and confusion, where vision and judgment are
obscured.

- How does Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth establish the contrast

between appearance and reality, order and disorder, good and
evil, that will dominate the play? Give examples from the text to
support your answer. (5 marks)
ANS: Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth establishes the contrast between appearance and
reality, order and disorder, good and evil, that will dominate the play by using various
elements, such as:
- The witches: The witches are the main agents of contrast in the scene, as they
represent the opposite of what is expected or normal. They appear to be women, but
they have beards. They speak of fair things, but they are foul. They create an
atmosphere of mystery, suspense, and anticipation for what will follow. They also
speak in paradoxes and equivocations, such as "when the battle's lost and won"
(1.1.4) and "fair is foul, and foul is fair" (1.1.10), that suggest a confusion between
what is predetermined and what is chosen, as well as a moral ambiguity that
pervades the play.
- The weather: The weather also creates a contrast in the scene, as it reflects the
turmoil and violence that plague the country and its people. The stormy weather
contrasts with the calm and peaceful nature that is usually associated with Scotland.
It also contrasts with the order and stability that King Duncan represents. The
weather also creates a sense of fear and dread for what will happen next.
- The heath: The heath also creates a contrast in the scene, as it symbolizes the
moral wasteland that Macbeth will create with his actions. The heath contrasts with
the fertile and prosperous land that Scotland is supposed to be. It also contrasts with
the loyalty and honor that Macbeth is supposed to have as a general and a subject.
The heath also suggests a place of isolation and danger, where the witches can
operate without being seen or heard.

- Why is Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth appropriate and necessary

for the play? What would be the effect if the play started from
Act 1 Scene 2 instead? (5 marks)
ANS: Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth is appropriate and necessary for the play because
it serves several purposes:
- It sets the tone and mood for the rest of the tragedy. The scene is dark, stormy, and
mysterious, creating a sense of fear and anticipation for what will follow. It also
introduces the theme of the supernatural and the power of evil forces on the human
world.
- It introduces the main characters of the play: the witches and Macbeth. The witches
are the agents of fate who predict Macbeth's destiny and influence his actions. They
are also associated with dark magic and evil intentions. They speak in a cryptic
language that foreshadows the events and themes of the play: war, fate, ambition,
deception, and equivocation. They also hint at Macbeth's role as their instrument of
chaos and destruction, as they plan to confront him after the battle.
- It establishes the contrast between appearance and reality, order and disorder,
good and evil, that will dominate the play. The witches speak in paradoxes and
equivocations, such as "when the battle's lost and won" and "fair is foul, and foul is
fair", that suggest a confusion between what is predetermined and what is chosen,
as well as a moral ambiguity that pervades the play. They also create an atmosphere
of mystery, suspense, and anticipation for what will follow.
Starting the play from Act 1 Scene 2 would not have the same effect or impact as
starting from Act 1 Scene 1. Act 1 Scene 2 is a scene of war and violence, where
Macbeth is praised as a brave and loyal soldier who defeats the enemy. This scene
would not set the tone or mood for the tragedy, nor would it introduce the main
characters or themes of the play. It would also not create a sense of mystery or
suspense, as it would reveal Macbeth's identity and actions before meeting the
witches. It would also not establish the contrast between appearance and reality,
order and disorder, good and evil, as it would present Macbeth as a hero rather than
a villain. Therefore, Act 1 Scene 1 is appropriate and necessary for the play.
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