The Painting
This painting shows Macbeth surrounded by witches and strange, magical creatures. The artist uses strong contrasts of light and dark to create a mysterious and eerie atmosphere. You can see fire and glowing highlights that make the scene feel like it is lit by something supernatural. The witches are looking straight at Macbeth, and their expressions suggest they are predicting events that will affect him deeply. Around the scene, unusual creatures and objects, like a bubbling cauldron, hint at magic, secrets, and danger. Like the song, the painting invites us to imagine a story filled with mystery, predictions, and dramatic moments.
The Artist
Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792)
Where he lived: Born in Devon, England; worked in London
Style: Reynolds was a portrait painter and one of the founders of the Royal Academy of Arts. He painted nobles, writers, and actors using dramatic poses and lighting to make them look important and heroic.
Why he’s important: He helped define English portrait painting in the 18th century and inspired many other artists.
Lesson Plan
Looking Closely
1
What do you notice first in the painting - Macbeth, the witches, or something else?
How does the artist use light and dark to make the scene feel mysterious?
Can you spot any strange creatures or objects? What might they represent?
Connecting to the Song
2
The song says “The witches predict destruction and death.” How is this shown in the painting?
The song talks about a bubbling cauldron and dragons’ scales. Can you see objects in the painting that might match these ideas?
How do the witches’ faces or eyes make you feel? Why do you think the artist painted them that way?
Thinking and Imagining
3
Why do you think Macbeth is the only human figure in the light?
What story might be unfolding in this painting?
If you were part of the scene, where would you stand - near Macbeth, the witches, or somewhere else?
Creative Response
4
Imagine you could step into the painting. What would you hear, smell, or feel?
Choose a word to describe the mood of the painting and explain your choice.
If you wrote another verse for the song, what would happen next in the story?
DUNCTON School
-
Fire emerges from the darkest depths
An eerie light illuminates Macbeth
A mirror is hiding, what does it reflect
The witches predict destruction and death,Their never-ending black eyes stare into his soul
Creatures emerge from the shadows, pitch like coal.
The cauldron bubbles, spitting fiery gold,
Malicious witches, plotting disaster untold.The slivering snake eats itself head to tail.
Visions of the future erupt and unveil.,
The boiling pot is filled with dragons scales,
Your fate is laid out before you, hear the spirits wail.Fire emerges from the darkest depths
When will this man take his final breath? -