This painting depicts one of the most fantastical and imaginative scenes in the entire play. As in the opening scenes of the play, Macbeth is offered several prophecies and must decide how to interpret them. This scene has some historical significance as well, as many of the ghostly descendants that the witches reveal are rooted in actual royal figures contemporary to Shakespeare.

Examine the painting carefully, noting all of the details that the artist included. Then, explain how the details work together to capture the moment.Set design depicting witches’ cave, watercolor for performance of Macbeth, 1847, opera by Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901).