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Macbeth: The Scottish Tragedy
Macbeth: The Scottish Tragedy

Chapter I · Act I: The Weird Sisters & The Bloody Prophecy

Read and study this complete chapter with synchronized narration, pronunciation, and vocabulary support.

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.”

Cover illustration for Macbeth: The Scottish Tragedy
Context Illustration Reading 1/3 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'
Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.
The witches hail Macbeth with three prophecies: 'All hail, Macbeth!
hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!
All hail, Macbeth!
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Macbeth: The Scottish Tragedy

Chapter I · Act I: The Weird Sisters & The Bloody Prophecy

Study this chapter through synchronized reading, listening, pronunciation, and contextual vocabulary.

Reading 1/3 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'
Line 2
Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.
Line 3
The witches hail Macbeth with three prophecies: 'All hail, Macbeth!
Line 4
hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!
Line 5
All hail, Macbeth!

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Valiant adj US /ˈvæl.jənt/

Possessing or showing courage or determination; heroic. (Dũng cảm, quả cảm, anh hùng.)

From this reading “Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.”

All words in this reading · 54

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

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From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

against

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From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

air

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From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

All

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From this reading The witches hail Macbeth with three prophecies: 'All hail, Macbeth!

amidst

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From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

and

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From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

Banquo

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From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

battle

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From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

chanting

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From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

desolate

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From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

encounter

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From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

Fair

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From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

filthy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

fog

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

foul

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

from

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

generals

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From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

Glamis

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From this reading hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!

hags

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From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

hail

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The witches hail Macbeth with three prophecies: 'All hail, Macbeth!

heath

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

Hover

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

In

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

invaders

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

is

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

lightning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

Macbeth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

meet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

mist

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

Norwegian

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

of

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!

prophecies

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The witches hail Macbeth with three prophecies: 'All hail, Macbeth!

rain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

Returning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

riddle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

Scottish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

sinister

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

Sisters

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

sulfurous

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

Thane

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!

the

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

thee

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!

their

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

Three

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

through

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

thunder

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

to

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!

upon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

valiantadjUS /ˈvæl.jənt/

Possessing or showing courage or determination; heroic. (Dũng cảm, quả cảm, anh hùng.)

From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

victorious

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

Weird

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.'

witches

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The witches hail Macbeth with three prophecies: 'All hail, Macbeth!

with

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The witches hail Macbeth with three prophecies: 'All hail, Macbeth!

withered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Returning victorious from battle against the Norwegian invaders, the valiant generals Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three withered hags.

Chapter Quiz

Use these questions to verify literal comprehension before continuing to the next chapter.

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Act I: The Weird Sisters & The Bloody Prophecy?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet ...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Repeat the selected source lines aloud to practice rhythm, stress, and clear US English pronunciation.

Narrator: In thunder, lightning, and rain, upon a desolate Scottish heath, Three Weird Sisters meet amidst the sulfurous mist, chanting their sinister riddle: '
Narrator: hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!