Get all the most famous quotes from the witches in Macbeth by William Shakespeare, who chant and make predictions, manipulating Macbeth into seeking power and starting a chain of events that cause several tragedies.
Many of the three witches Macbeth quotes remain famous today, like “toil and trouble” and “something wicked this way comes.” They make for excellent quotes for Fall especially!
And it’s hard not to love the important story of Macbeth, who becomes powerful in Scotland, but whose heroic nature was tested after a meeting with these three supernatural witches, also known as the three weird sisters.
Then, there’s also the control Macbeth’s wife has over his manhood, challenging him to commit acts of violence.
It’s a timeless story of light and dark, of loyalty and betrayal that has made a permanent mark on me. I couldn’t recommend it more highly for its generations of influence and epic storytelling.
Let’s explore exactly what the three witches said to Macbeth.
Great Quotes from the Witches in Macbeth
Below are frequently asked questions about the most notable lines from the witches in Macbeth, followed by more good quotations by the three witches.
Frequently Asked Questions About Key Lines
When the three witches first meet Macbeth, they greet him by his current title, Thane of Glamis, but they also refer to the title he will soon acquire, Thane of Cawdor, and prophesize that he will be “King hereafter.” This greeting sets into motion the triumphant rise and tragic fall of Macbeth.
At the beginning of Macbeth, the witches prophesize that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and “King hereafter.” However, they also prophesize that Banquo will father Kings, which troubles Macbeth in his quest for power.
In addition to prophesizing that Macbeth will be King, the witches tell Banquo that he will father be the father of Kings, which troubles Macbeth in his quest for power.
When the witches in Macbeth are making their stew, they chant these famous words: “Double, double toil and trouble: Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.”
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More Quotes from the Witches in Macbeth
“By the pricking of my thumbs, / Something wicked this way comes.”
“When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain? / When the hurly-burly’s done, When the battle’s lost and won. / That will be ere the set of sun. / Where the place? Upon the heath. / There to meet with Macbeth.”
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair: / Hover through the fog and filthy air.”
“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!”
“Lesser than Macbeth and greater. Not so happy, yet much happier. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!”
“Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites, / And show the best of our delights: / I’ll charm the air to give a sound, / While you perform your antic round: / That this great king may kindly say, / Our duties did his welcome pay.”
“Thrice the brinded cat hath mew’d”
“Round about the cauldron go; / In the poison’d entrails throw.”
“Fillet of a fenny snake, / In the cauldron boil and bake; / Eye of newt and toe of frog, / Wool of bat and tongue of dog, / Adder’s fork and blind-worm’s sting, / Lizard’s leg and owlet’s wing, / For a charm of powerful trouble, / Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.”
“He knows thy thought: / Hear his speech, but say thou nought.”
“A deed without a name.”
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Now you know all the most famous quotes from the witches in Macbeth.
Book Pairings
If you loved Macbeth, check these out:
- The recent movie adaptation on Apple+: The Tragedy of Macbeth
- The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner (title inspired by Macbeth)
- Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury (title inspired by Macbeth)
- Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (title inspired by Macbeth)
Famous Shakespeare Quotes
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