In the opening scene of William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, Act 1 Scene 1, the character of the witches is introduced using a variety of literary devices. These devices help to set the tone of the play and establish the supernatural elements that will play a significant role throughout the story.
One literary device used in this scene is the use of paradox. The witches greet each other with the lines "When shall we three meet again / In thunder, lightning, or in rain?" This greeting is paradoxical because it suggests that the witches will meet again in different weather conditions, but also that they will meet again regardless of the weather. This paradoxical greeting sets the tone for the play as a whole, which is characterized by confusion and uncertainty.
Another literary device used in this scene is personification. The witches describe the "foul and fair" weather as if it has a personality and the ability to speak. This personification helps to further establish the supernatural and mysterious nature of the witches.
The use of repetition is also evident in this scene. The witches repeat the phrase "fair is foul, and foul is fair" three times, emphasizing the theme of illusion and deception that will be central to the play. This repetition also serves to establish the witches as a chorus, commenting on the action of the play and influencing the characters' decisions.
Finally, the use of figurative language, specifically metaphor, is evident in the witches' dialogue. They describe the "foul and fair" weather as a "tug of war," implying that the forces of good and evil are in constant conflict. This metaphor foreshadows the central conflict of the play, in which Macbeth is torn between his ambition and his sense of morality.
Overall, the use of these literary devices in Act 1 Scene 1 of Macbeth helps to establish the tone of the play and introduce the supernatural elements that will play a significant role throughout the story. The paradoxical greeting of the witches, the personification of the weather, the repetition of the phrase "fair is foul, and foul is fair," and the metaphor of the "tug of war" between good and evil all serve to set the stage for the events that will unfold in the play.
