The couplet "Double, double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble.", which in the 1979 RSC production was chanted like a mantra contributes to the feeling that magic is going on in that pot.
The couplet repeated by the witches in their chant is "Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble."
The witches speak in riddles because they are just that - witches. When have you ever heard of a witch not rhyming? It all originated from William Shakespeare's work.
Double Bubble, toil and trouble
There were a lot of people who really believed in witches. However the witches in Macbeth are not to be taken seriously: they have silly songs and dances and speak in silly rhyming couplets. But they were inserted (probably by Thomas Middleton who wrote one of the songs) because that portrayal of witches was extremely popular and the audience wanted more.
The saying, 'Fair is foul and foul is fair,' carries the general meaning of 'things are all mixed up.' It is typically used to denote a situation where conventional moral rules or guidelines are being used or interpreted in a contradictory or even immoral way.
When the witches make an appearance in Macbeth, there is an atmosphere of darkness, mystery, and supernatural elements. Their presence signals disruption in the natural order and foreshadows chaos and deception in the play. The witches bring an eerie and foreboding feeling to the scenes they are in.
In the play Macbeth, the witches are described as having beards, which was an unusual and unsettling characteristic as women traditionally did not have beards. This physical appearance added to the supernatural and eerie atmosphere surrounding the witches.
The rhyme scheme used by the witches in Macbeth (ABAB) helps create a sense of rhythm and incantation, enhancing the mysterious and supernatural atmosphere of the play. It adds to the witches' otherworldly presence and makes their prophecies seem more powerful and foreboding.
"Forever Witches" by Alfon has a dark and mysterious tone, with elements of suspense and supernatural intrigue. The atmosphere is filled with elements of magic and witchcraft, creating a sense of tension and mystique throughout the story.
In Macbeth act 1 scene 1, the atmosphere is mysterious, eerie, and tense. The witches' presence and their cryptic language set a foreboding tone for the rest of the play. The use of thunder and lightning adds to the sense of darkness and supernatural elements.
It should be witches'. Example: Witches' brooms
In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," Banquo wonders about the witches' gender due to their beards, which are a traditionally masculine feature. Their appearance challenges conventional notions of femininity and raises questions about their true nature. This ambiguity adds to the supernatural and eerie atmosphere surrounding the witches, leaving Banquo and the audience questioning their identity.