act 1 scene 3

• 'Beards' (Banquo on the Witches, Act 1) 


  masculinity is presented synonymous with power throughout the play, thus this descriptions imbues the witches with a threat of dominance. they therefore appear androgynous, and alike to LM, their lack of gender conformity exacerbates them as duplicitous and powerful beings. In a patriarchal society with a clear sense of gender identity, the witches' ambiguity becomes a potent symbol of their threat; they represent a chaotic force that can unravel the carefully constructed social order
• 'instruments of darkness' (Banquo on witches Act 1)


  The auditory imagery created by the lexis 'instruments' underscores the witches' sinister musicality, implying that their conflicting words possess a hypnotic allure, particularly for Macbeth which catalyses his usurpation of kingship. Alternatively, the noun 'instruments' suggests a deliberate orchestration of the witches' deceit, framing their speech as a manipulative melodic composition that enchants its victims.
• 'though his bark cannot be lost, yet it shall be tempest-tost' -witches


  the reference to the 'tempest' could be an allusion to the 1590 North Berwick witch trials, where James I was caught in a storm at sea. He was convinced that his misfortune was a result of witchcraft. This in turn led to a series of witch hunts in Denmark, which then inspired James to establish his own tribunal courts in Scotland. This reference is also symbolic of the chaos that malicious forces could pose on human relationships, which is what we see as the play unfolds
• 'so foul and fair a day I have not seen' - Macbeth


  There is a form of natural affinity between Macbeth and the witches as before he has even seen them he echoes their words
• plosive 'd' on 'darkness'

  the plosive 'd' sounds in the word' darkness' creates a harsh sound, foreshadowing the ominous and grim destiny the witches are ready to inflict upon Macbeth due to his blind violation of the divine right of kings.