First Witch
I’ll drain him dry as hay.
Sleep shall neither night nor day
1.4.19-20
This quote (and the conversation in which it is delivered shows the power of the witches. So far, we’ve seen the witches in a spooky atmosphere (Act 1 Scene 1), and we’ve also seen them predict Macbeth’s promotion to Thane of Cawdor. However, we haven’t really seen any true display of power for them, leaving us room to doubt their control over, or relationship to fate.
However, in this conversation that opens Act I Scene IV, we see that the witches clearly have immense power - apparently, a sailor’s wife was munching on some chestnuts and the first witch said “Give me," but the woman resisted. Clearly the first witch didn’t approve of having chestnuts withheld from her so she, with the other two witches are hatching a plot to ruin this poor sailor. They talk about how they’re going to rob him of sleep by making his ship rock back and forth in a storm.
As mentioned before, this is a mature play with mature content. We’ve seen evidence of violence, blood, and corruption - but in this quote, we’re getting a look at the sex-related themes that’ll come up repeatedly throughout the play.
It’s no coincidence that the witches asked the sailor’s wife for her “chestnuts" or her husband’s baby-making tools, and it’s also no mistake that the first witch now plans to “drain him dry." However, these lines go further than just speaking to sexuality - they may also refer to impotence, or the inability to have children, which is another theme that will be discussed throughout the play
Macbeth
So foul and fair a day I have not seen.
1.3.39
This contradictory quote redelivers what the witches said in Act 1 Scene 1 - it cues the audience to the uncertainty of life, and brings about feelings of insecurity. At the same time, since the line is delivered by Macbeth, who has been described as a fairly noble and decent character by both the Captain and the Thane of Ross in Act 1 Scene 2, it makes us question whether Macbeth’s positive reputation are really warranted. Remember, if what is fair is foul, then perhaps Macbeth is foul? Finally, the quote serves to connect Macbeth’s character to the witches. So far, Macbeth hasn’t had an interaction with the witches, but the fact that his first line is borrowed from the witches suggests some supernatural/unnatural connection. It makes us question whether or not the witches are truly connected to fate and what role Macbeth will take in relation to the witches.
This quote relates to the theme of fate vs. free will.
Banquo
Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear
Things that do sound so fair?
1.3.54-55
Spoken by Banquo, this line works to show the contrast between Macbeth and Banquo in their response to the witches’ prophecies for Macbeth. Immediately after the witches proclaim Macbeth Thane of Glamis, Cawdor and King, Banquo asks why his friend seems to be scared - after all it’s good news, isn’t it? But their reactions show a difference of character. As we learn later in the scene, Macbeth’s fear comes from his idea that he may have to do some nasty things in order to gain the title of King, while Banquo doesn’t think (as far as we can tell) that any action will need to be taken in order to fulfill his own prophecies.
Destiny vs. ChoiceThis quote makes us question whether Macbeth’s actions in the scenes to come will be based on his own thoughts, ambitions, and decisions, or whether he’s hopelessly controlled by fate and the witches.
Perception vs. RealityAgain, the use of “fair” here brings us back to the witches’ contradictory statement, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair;”
Macbeth
If good, why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs
Against the use of nature? Present fears
Are less than horrible imaginings.
1.3.147-151
This quote is significant because it’s the first time we see Macbeth contemplate murdering King Duncan in order to fulfill his prophecy. Clearly this “horrid image” is not something Macbeth is eager to entertain at first.
Destiny vs. Choice We can question, again, whether Macbeth’s actions in the scenes to come are based on destiny or choice. Is the murder of Duncan something that Macbeth is likely to do, since he’s already contemplating it? Where does his urge to murder the king come from? Sure, he’s no amateur killer, but slaying villains and committing regicide are two different things.
Natural vs Unnatural In Shakespeare’s day, “unnatural” didn’t just mean strange - it meant the breaking of a pre-ordained order of things. While science helps to explain many facets of behavior and organizational behavior today, it wasn’t always like that - during Shakespeare’s time, it was more common for the English audience to accept a pre-defined “natural” order of things. Social hierarchy was based more on religious signs than the merit of truth, so something like regicide (killing a King) was seen as unnatural, chaotic, and unacceptable.
Banquo
Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mold
But with the aid of use.
1.4.160-162
Spoken by Banquo, this quote using clothing as a metaphor connects with Macbeth’s earlier question to Ross, when he asks “The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me / In borrowed robes?” (i.iii.114-115). We might see the metaphor of clothing to be representative of a title, position, or rank, such as Thane of Cawdor, but we can also see it as representing the act of killing for Macbeth. Spoiler alert, yeah, Macbeth kills Duncan and once he does he kills a whole lot of other people too. The fact that Banquo basically says “you’ll get used to it” can be seen as foreshadowing of future Macbeth’s murderous rampage.
Macbeth
So fair and foul a day I have not seen
1.3.39
Macbeth
If good, why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,
Against the use of nature? Present fears
Are less than horrible imaginings.
1.3.147-51
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