Setting the Stage for Evil
The witches choose to meet on a heath—essentially a wasteland away from civilisation. This isolated location emphasises how their evil deeds must be kept secret from society, whilst also making them appear more mysterious and threatening.
Shakespeare shows the witches' power through their familiar spirits—Graymalkin (a grey cat) and Paddock (a toad). In the 17th century, people genuinely believed witches had animal companions to help carry out evil magic, so this would have terrified audiences.
The scene ends with the famous paradox: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." This line foreshadows how nothing in the play will be as it seems—good will become evil, loyalty will turn to betrayal, and appearances will deceive everyone.
Historical context: King James I (who ruled when Shakespeare wrote this) was obsessed with witchcraft and even wrote a book about it, making this opening scene particularly relevant and frightening for Shakespeare's audience.