Macbeth was first performed in 1605. How do you think
the Jacobean audience would have viewed the witches?
What linguistic
or structural
features can
you notice in
this scene?
Pathetic Fallacy
Oxymorons
Fricatives suggest
violent intentions –
baring teeth
Different Interpretations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clG8ha2D26g
Witches and James I
In 1590, King James came to believe that he and his
Danish bride, Anne, had been personally targeted by
witches who conjured dangerous storms to try to kill the
royals during their voyages across the North Sea.
James I wrote a book on witchcraft called Daemonologie
The book explained that witches made pacts with the
Devil and the only way to avoid them was to appeal to
God and the God-given powers of rulers such as James.
Witches and Patriarchy
“as was overwell proved to be true by the
Serpent’s deceiving of Eve at the beginning
which makes him the friendlier with that sex
since then.” – Daemonologie
Essex alone prosecuted up to 60% of accused
witches in the UK, hanging 53 “witches”
between 1570 and 1609.
Most of the women were accused of being
witches were unmarried, old, and/or widows.
Women were expected to look after their
husbands and bear children.