The witches in Act 1, Scene 3 of ‘Macbeth’
I can explain how language has been used to describe the witches in Act 1, Scene 3 of ‘Macbeth’.
The witches in Act 1, Scene 3 of ‘Macbeth’
I can explain how language has been used to describe the witches in Act 1, Scene 3 of ‘Macbeth’.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The witches could be interpreted as being presented as genderless
- The witches' non-conformity to gender roles seems to confuse Macbeth and Banquo
- The witches could be interpreted as unnatural, threatening outsiders
- The witches' behaviour would subvert a Jacobean audience's expectations of femininity
- The theme of the unnatural is first introduced
Keywords
Outsider - Being an outsider is an important idea, particularly to Shakespeare. An outsider is a character who is not accepted by society.
Genderless - In the context of ‘Macbeth’, the witches are genderless characters: they neither present nor behave in a way this society expects of women.
Conform - If you conform, you accept rules or standards.
Subvert - If you are subversive you don’t accept rules or standards.
Femininity - Femininity refers to qualities which are seen as characteristic of women or girls.
Common misconception
The witches are presented solely as women, threatening women but women nonetheless.
Look at the language in Act 1, Scene 3: Banquo and Macbeth see the witches as unnatural, not just strange women.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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