Macbeth Act One, Scene Three Lines 65-81

First Witch 65 Hail! Second Witch Hail! Third Witch Hail! First Witch Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. Second Witch Not so happy, yet much happier. Third Witch Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none: 70 So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo! First Witch Banquo and Macbeth, all hail! MACBETH Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more: By Sinel's death I know I am thane of Glamis; But how of Cawdor? the thane of Cawdor lives, 75 A prosperous gentleman; and to be king Stands not within the prospect of belief, No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence You owe this strange intelligence? or why Upon this blasted heath you stop our way 80 With such prophetic greeting? Speak, I charge you. Witches vanish.

Discussion Questions Why do you think the witches choose to speak in paradoxes? What characteristics do we learn about Macbeth based on his dialogue with the witches? Do you see any noticeable similarities between the ghost in Hamlet and the witches in Macbeth? How do you perceive the witches’ attitude towards Macbeth? Do you think the repetition of “Hail!” is meant to be mocking? What do the witches’ prophecies say about Banquo’s fate? How does this relate to the rest of the play as a whole? What does this passage reveal about royal succession and people’s feelings regarding witches during this era? What is the overall significance of this particular passage?