Blog-entry for ISC class XI Students: Contextual Questions-answers

Macbeth – A tragedy by William Shakespeare (1564-1660)
Question Courtesy – Xavier Pinto
Extract 3
Macbeth: Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more:
By Sinel’s death I know I am Thane of Glamis;
But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives;
A prosperous gentleman; and to be king
Stands not within the prospect of belief,
No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence
You owe this strange intelligence? Or why
Upon this blasted heath you stop our way
With such prophetic greeting? Speak, I charge you.

(i) Who are the ‘imperfect speakers’? Why are they termed ‘imperfect’?
The ‘imperfect speakers’ are the three witches.
They are termed ‘imperfect’ because what they say are unintelligible. Macbeth wonders how he can be the Thane of Cawdor because he does not yet know of the Thane’s treachery. As for kingship, that is simply incredible and hence, this reaction.
(ii) What have those speakers spoken to Macbeth earlier?
Having greeted Macbeth, the first witch has addressed him as Thane of Glamis; the second witch has greeted him as Thane of Cawdor; the third witch predicts that Macbeth shall be the king.
(iii) Which two doubts does Macbeth have now? Give reasons.
It seems to Macbeth that he should become king is as incredible as that he is Thane of Cawdor because Macbeth does not yet know that the previous Thane has already been stripped of his title.
(iv) Which two questions does he ask at the end of his speech? Write in your words.
Macbeth demands of the witches from where they have the extraordinary news that they are prophesying and why they have bidden them (Macbeth and Banquo) to stop at this god-forsaken place and what are the true meanings of their strange prophesy.
(v) What happens after this speech? How do Macbeth and Banquo react on that happening?
The witches simply vanish into thin air.
Macbeth seems to be seriously thinking about the witches’ prophesies while Banquo is not; on the other hand, Banquo says that the witches are like bubbles of water, and the strange creatures might have been merely fantasies.