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Introduction to Shakespeare
Introduction to Macbeth













Act I
Next Act (Act II)
Scene I
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A desert place. Thunder and lightning.
desert deserted
Enter Three Witches.
Enter come on stage

First Witch

When shall we three meet again?

In thunder, lightning, or in rain?


Second Witch

When the hurlyburly's done,
hurlyburly battle
When the battle's lost and won.


Third Witch

That will be ere the set of sun.


First Witch

Where the place?


Second Witch

Upon the heath.
heath barren plain in Scotland

Third Witch

There to meet with Macbeth.


First Witch

I come, Graymalkin.
Graymalkin is the name of the witch's familiar, or pet; in this case, a gray cat.

Second Witch

Paddock calls.
Paddock is this witch's familiar, a toad.

Third Witch

Anon!
The third witch also calls to her familiar.

All
All three witches, speaking together.
Fair is foul, and foul is fair.
Things are not what they appear to be. See Notes
Hover through the fog and filthy air.


Exeunt
Latin, literally "they exit."

End of Scene I
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Act I
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Notes on this Scene
Fair is foul, and foul is fair.
Things that seem fair (virtuous, beautiful) on the surface will often turn out to be foul (vicious, evil, ugly), and vice versa. Macbeth will learn, in the end, not to trust the appearances of the people and things around him. By then, of course, it will be too late.
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