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24 Dec 2025
•
Detailed Act 1 Scene 3 Macbeth Analysis and Insights
Siarra Mautadin
@siamautadin
1 / 6
The Witches Plot Their Revenge
You're about to meet three of literature's most vindictive characters. The First Witch is absolutely fuming because a sailor's wife wouldn't share her chestnuts - talk about petty! But here's the thing: these witches don't mess about when they're insulted.
The witch's revenge plan is seriously dark. She's planning to sail to Aleppo (in Syria) where the rude woman's husband is working as a sailor. The other witches immediately offer to help by controlling the winds - they're like a supernatural support group for revenge plots.
Key Point: Shakespeare uses this scene to show the audience just how dangerous and spiteful these witches can be. If they'll go to these lengths over some chestnuts, imagine what they might do to someone more important!
Ruthless Magic in Action
The First Witch's revenge gets properly terrifying here. She plans to drain the sailor's life force, making him so exhausted he can't sleep for 781 weeks (that's about 15 years!). This isn't just petty anymore - it's psychological torture.
As proof of her power, she shows off a pilot's thumb from someone who drowned on their way home. Grim stuff, but it shows these witches mean business.
Suddenly, they hear drums approaching - Macbeth is coming! They dance in a circle, chanting their spells, building up the supernatural tension before the main event.
Key Point: The contrast between such extreme revenge over something so small (chestnuts) shows how the witches operate by completely different moral rules than humans.
The Fateful Meeting
When Macbeth and Banquo arrive, Macbeth immediately senses something's off about the day - it feels both good and bad simultaneously. Banquo's reaction to seeing the witches is brilliant: he can't tell if they're human or not, especially since they have beards (remember, women didn't act in Shakespeare's time, so male actors played these roles).
Then comes the moment that changes everything. The witches greet Macbeth with three titles: Thane of Glamis (which he already is), Thane of Cawdor (which he doesn't know he's just received), and future king!
Macbeth is stunned into silence, whilst Banquo notices his friend's shock. This creates dramatic irony - we know Macbeth has just been awarded the Cawdor title, but he doesn't.
Key Point: The witches' prophecies work because they mix truth (Glamis) with something that's already happened but unknown (Cawdor) and something seemingly impossible (king).
Banquo's Prophecy and Questions
Banquo demands his own prophecy, and gets a riddle-filled response: he'll be "lesser than Macbeth and greater," "not so happy, yet much happier," and most importantly, "thou shalt get kings, though thou be none" - meaning his descendants will be kings.
Macbeth desperately wants more information, but the witches vanish like bubbles bursting. Both men question whether they've just experienced something real or if they've been hallucinating after eating some dodgy plants!
The timing is perfect - Ross and Angus arrive with news that King Duncan is thrilled with Macbeth's performance in battle. They bring thanks from the king and something else...
Key Point: Banquo's more cautious reaction contrasts sharply with Macbeth's fascination, showing their different personalities.
The First Prophecy Comes True
The bombshell drops: Ross announces that Macbeth is now Thane of Cawdor! The previous thane has been executed for treason - he was secretly helping Scotland's enemies. Macbeth can hardly believe it, asking why they're dressing him in "borrowed robes."
Banquo's reaction is crucial: "What, can the devil speak true?" He immediately suspects supernatural trickery. He warns Macbeth that evil forces often tell small truths to win our trust before leading us into major trouble.
This is exactly what's happening - the witches have gained credibility by getting the Cawdor prediction right, making the kingship prophecy seem more believable.
Key Point: Banquo's warning about "instruments of darkness" telling truths to betray us in bigger matters is one of the play's most important themes.
Macbeth's Internal Struggle
Here's where things get psychologically intense. Macbeth's aside (his private thoughts spoken aloud) reveals the battle raging in his mind. Two prophecies have come true - surely the third (becoming king) will too?
But Macbeth's already thinking about murder. The "horrid image" that makes his hair stand up and his heart race is the thought of killing King Duncan. He's terrified by his own thoughts, saying his imaginings are worse than any real fear.
Most tellingly, Macbeth considers whether he needs to act at all: "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir." He's hoping fate will do the work for him.
Key Point: This soliloquy shows Macbeth's moral awareness - he knows murder is wrong, which makes his later actions more tragic than if he were simply evil.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Detailed Act 1 Scene 3 Macbeth Analysis and Insights
Siarra Mautadin
@siamautadin
Ever wondered what happens when three creepy witches decide to mess with a war hero's head? In this famous scene from Macbeth, Shakespeare shows us how a chance encounter on a deserted heath changes everything for our main character.
The Witches Plot Their Revenge
You're about to meet three of literature's most vindictive characters. The First Witch is absolutely fuming because a sailor's wife wouldn't share her chestnuts - talk about petty! But here's the thing: these witches don't mess about when they're insulted.
The witch's revenge plan is seriously dark. She's planning to sail to Aleppo (in Syria) where the rude woman's husband is working as a sailor. The other witches immediately offer to help by controlling the winds - they're like a supernatural support group for revenge plots.
Key Point: Shakespeare uses this scene to show the audience just how dangerous and spiteful these witches can be. If they'll go to these lengths over some chestnuts, imagine what they might do to someone more important!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
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Ruthless Magic in Action
The First Witch's revenge gets properly terrifying here. She plans to drain the sailor's life force, making him so exhausted he can't sleep for 781 weeks (that's about 15 years!). This isn't just petty anymore - it's psychological torture.
As proof of her power, she shows off a pilot's thumb from someone who drowned on their way home. Grim stuff, but it shows these witches mean business.
Suddenly, they hear drums approaching - Macbeth is coming! They dance in a circle, chanting their spells, building up the supernatural tension before the main event.
Key Point: The contrast between such extreme revenge over something so small (chestnuts) shows how the witches operate by completely different moral rules than humans.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The Fateful Meeting
When Macbeth and Banquo arrive, Macbeth immediately senses something's off about the day - it feels both good and bad simultaneously. Banquo's reaction to seeing the witches is brilliant: he can't tell if they're human or not, especially since they have beards (remember, women didn't act in Shakespeare's time, so male actors played these roles).
Then comes the moment that changes everything. The witches greet Macbeth with three titles: Thane of Glamis (which he already is), Thane of Cawdor (which he doesn't know he's just received), and future king!
Macbeth is stunned into silence, whilst Banquo notices his friend's shock. This creates dramatic irony - we know Macbeth has just been awarded the Cawdor title, but he doesn't.
Key Point: The witches' prophecies work because they mix truth (Glamis) with something that's already happened but unknown (Cawdor) and something seemingly impossible (king).
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
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Banquo's Prophecy and Questions
Banquo demands his own prophecy, and gets a riddle-filled response: he'll be "lesser than Macbeth and greater," "not so happy, yet much happier," and most importantly, "thou shalt get kings, though thou be none" - meaning his descendants will be kings.
Macbeth desperately wants more information, but the witches vanish like bubbles bursting. Both men question whether they've just experienced something real or if they've been hallucinating after eating some dodgy plants!
The timing is perfect - Ross and Angus arrive with news that King Duncan is thrilled with Macbeth's performance in battle. They bring thanks from the king and something else...
Key Point: Banquo's more cautious reaction contrasts sharply with Macbeth's fascination, showing their different personalities.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The First Prophecy Comes True
The bombshell drops: Ross announces that Macbeth is now Thane of Cawdor! The previous thane has been executed for treason - he was secretly helping Scotland's enemies. Macbeth can hardly believe it, asking why they're dressing him in "borrowed robes."
Banquo's reaction is crucial: "What, can the devil speak true?" He immediately suspects supernatural trickery. He warns Macbeth that evil forces often tell small truths to win our trust before leading us into major trouble.
This is exactly what's happening - the witches have gained credibility by getting the Cawdor prediction right, making the kingship prophecy seem more believable.
Key Point: Banquo's warning about "instruments of darkness" telling truths to betray us in bigger matters is one of the play's most important themes.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Macbeth's Internal Struggle
Here's where things get psychologically intense. Macbeth's aside (his private thoughts spoken aloud) reveals the battle raging in his mind. Two prophecies have come true - surely the third (becoming king) will too?
But Macbeth's already thinking about murder. The "horrid image" that makes his hair stand up and his heart race is the thought of killing King Duncan. He's terrified by his own thoughts, saying his imaginings are worse than any real fear.
Most tellingly, Macbeth considers whether he needs to act at all: "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir." He's hoping fate will do the work for him.
Key Point: This soliloquy shows Macbeth's moral awareness - he knows murder is wrong, which makes his later actions more tragic than if he were simply evil.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content: Symbolism
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user