The Tragedy of Macbeth

In plain English

Hey, what's going on, Hecate? You look angry.

What’s happening

This is a sudden shift from Macbeth's private torments to the supernatural world. One of the witches is startled by Hecate's unexpected arrival and hostile demeanor. The line signals that something has gone wrong in the witches' domain—they acted without their mistress's permission.

Worth knowing

This scene and 4.1 are often attributed to Thomas Middleton rather than Shakespeare, possibly adapted from his play 'The Witch.' Hecate appears in Middleton's work and the songs here match those in his play.

Playing the moment

Play the genuine surprise—a servant caught out by an angry boss. The witch knows they've been caught doing something unauthorized. Some productions cut this scene entirely (it's likely not Shakespeare's), but if kept, play the nervous energy of being confronted. Keep it brisk; don't overplay the fear.

In plain English

Hecate scolds the three witches for dealing with Macbeth without consulting her. She tells them Macbeth only loves them for his own selfish ends, not out of genuine loyalty. She orders them to prepare spells and meet her at the pit of Acheron in the morning, where Macbeth will come to learn his fate. She plans to use magic to create illusions that will lure Macbeth to his destruction by making him feel falsely secure.

What’s happening

Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft and the witches' superior, arrives furious that the Weird Sisters acted without her. She asserts her authority over all dark arts and insists on controlling how Macbeth's prophecy unfolds. This scene establishes that the supernatural world operates with hierarchy and protocol, and sets up Macbeth's fateful second encounter with the witches. Hecate's anger is partly professional indignation, partly strategic—she wants Macbeth's overconfidence to be his undoing.

Worth knowing

This scene (3.5) and Hecate's song 'Come away, come away' in 4.1 are widely believed to be non-Shakespearean additions, likely written by Thomas Middleton for a later revival, incorporating material from his own play The Witch (c. 1616). 'Security' in line 1418 means overconfidence or false safety—a cardinal sin in medieval morality drama.

Playing the moment

Hecate should command the space with divine authority—she is a goddess, not merely a more powerful witch. The speech moves through distinct phases: indignant challenge (lines 1-8), contemptuous mockery of Macbeth (9-12), brisk commands (13-16), and conspiratorial planning (17-30). Many productions cut this scene entirely, as it slows the pace and is likely non-Shakespearean. When performed, directors often stage Hecate descending or ascending, emphasizing her otherworldly status. The singsong trochaic meter throughout marks this as ritually different from human speech.

In plain English

Come on, let's hurry up. She'll be returning soon.

What’s happening

Hecate has just delivered a long, commanding speech and departed. The First Witch rallies the others to prepare for their next meeting at the pit of Acheron. The tone shifts from Hecate's grand menace to the witches' practical scrambling. There's urgency here—they've been given orders and must comply quickly.

Playing the moment

This brief line should feel brisk and slightly nervous—the witches have just been thoroughly scolded by their mistress. Play the urgency of subordinates who've been caught misbehaving and now need to make amends fast. Some productions use this moment for the witches to scramble offstage with physical comedy or eerie speed. The simplicity of the line after Hecate's extended verse creates a deliberate drop in register—keep it punchy.