Shakespeare, William - The Three Witches (2)

The Three Witches

First Witch When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
Second Witch When the hurlyburly's done,
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.
Third Witch There to meet with Macbeth.
First Witch I come, graymalkin!
Second Witch Paddock calls. 10
Third Witch Anon!
ALL Fair is foul, and foul is fair:
Hover through the fog and filthy air.
[Exeunt]

This passage is the opening scene of the play and it introduces the three witches, who Macbeth meets with Banquo, and whose prophecies will come true. It takes place in an open space, it could be anywhere because the setting is not socially recognisable, therefore it disconnects the scene from any normal logical attitude. The witches are talking about the fact that they will meet Macbeth after the war is done, and before going away they echo “fair is foul and foul is fair” meaning that all values are reversed, indeed Macbeth will achieve a good goal but accomplishing bad actions. Moreover, this reversion of values is shown through the setting, the witches are evil and meet in the heath, but that place is safe, on the contrary, Macbeth's castle, which is described as pleasant and safe, is the crime scene of many murders. At the end of the scene the witches, while fleating, define the air as filthy, in order to give a sense of disconcern and puzzlement.