The Witches' First Appearance
Ever wondered why Shakespeare starts with a thunderstorm rather than introducing his main character? The opening scene creates an atmosphere of chaos and evil that sets the tone for everything that follows.
The three witches appear during thunder and lightning, which isn't just dramatic—it's pathetic fallacy (when weather reflects mood or events). Shakespeare uses this stormy setting to show the witches' supernatural power and hint that destruction is coming.
Notice how the witches speak in rhyming couplets—this makes them sound like they're casting spells and separates them from the normal human characters. Their conversation reveals they already know about the battle and plan to meet Macbeth, suggesting they're omniscient (all-knowing).
Key insight: The witches represent the supernatural forces that will manipulate Macbeth throughout the play—they're not just random fortune tellers, but powerful beings who can influence human events.
