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What did the three witches wear?
In many cases, however, the witches are shown wearing long robes with hoods that cover the majority of their faces. In some theatric productions, the witches carry crooks or long sticks which they use to stir the cauldron into which they toss a number of gross items to concoct their spells.
What did the three witches look like?
His words in Act 1, Scene 3 depict the Witches as stereotypical hags – ‘withered’ and ‘wild’, unearthly beings (‘That look not like th’ inhabitants o’ th’ Earth’) with ‘skinny lips’, chapped (‘choppy’) fingers and beards (1.3. 40–46).
How were witches treated in Elizabethan times?
Witches convicted of murder by witchcraft were to be executed but the punishment for witches in England was hanging, not burning at the stake which was the terrible death that was inflicted on French and Spanish witches. Lesser crimes relating to witchcraft resulted in the convicted witch being pilloried.
How would you describe a witch appearance?
She was hideous of appearance, mumbling to herself with that dreamy, ghastly smile. Her hair was lank and lustreless, falling around her like strings of rotting straw. A cauldron bubbled slowly in the corner, leaving off the most infernal and rancid vapours.
What are two lines from Scene III that describe the witches looks attire?
He then describes their “attire” as “wither’d” and “wild”. These adjectives suggest the actors should be dress in ragged, filthy clothing. Shakespeare strongly emphasises their feral appearance through the repetition of the intensifier “so” and the use of alliteration to connect the two words.
Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?
Macbeth’s query, ‘Why do you dress me in borrow’d robes? ‘, is part of a chain of repeated clothing imagery that carries through the play, creating one of the many motifs in Macbeth. Being dressed in ‘borrowed robes’ suggests that Macbeth has acquired the title ‘Thane of Cawdor’ when it does not belong to him.
What were witches in the Elizabethan era?
In Shakespeare’s time people believed in witches. They were people who had made a pact with the Devil in exchange for supernatural powers. If your cow was ill, it was easy to decide it had been cursed. If there was plague in your village, it was because of a witch.
What did witches wear in the 1600s?
Instead, she would have worn a reed or leather pair of stays over a chemise and skirt. Another 17th century aspect of the modern purple witch dress is the apron. Aprons were universal in 16th, 17th, and 18th century fashion.
What costumes did Shakespeare use?
What about women’s costumes? In Shakespeare’s time all actors were male. Men and boys played all the female parts. As with the men, women’s costumes were usually ordinary clothes that reflected the social status of the character the actor was playing.
What words describe witches?
charmer,