Supernatural Phenomena in the Hoky Grai Witch Scene

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In the play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare, the Hecate witch scene, also known as the "Hoky grai" witch scene, takes place in Act III, Scene V. This scene is unique as it was not included in the original play and is believed to be an addition by Thomas Middleton, who may have collaborated with Shakespeare. The scene begins with the three witches gathered in a dark cave, preparing for their meeting with Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft. They are chanting, "Hoky grai," a phrase that is associated with magic and spells. Hecate enters, scolding the witches for involving themselves in Macbeth's affairs without her guidance. Hecate is angry that the witches have failed to consult her and vows to take control of the situation.


This clip allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the fallacy of the undistributed middle. This analysis also allows for a productive discussion about the difference between validity and soundness. In particular, the first argument is valid but unsound. The students find this a great example to flesh out their intuitions.

When Booth s witch gets brought to him she straightforwardly tells the Knight Magistrate that she s not a witch and that the mob has dressed her like one, even by forcing her to wear a false nose that looks very much like a colour drained carrot on a string. After going through the script and helping the students find this basic structure or something similar , we then turn to a logical analysis of this argument.

Hoky grai witch scene

Hecate is angry that the witches have failed to consult her and vows to take control of the situation. She plans to deceive Macbeth by showing him illusions and leading him to his downfall. Hecate's ultimate goal is to create chaos and destruction in Macbeth's life, ensuring his inevitable downfall.

Hoky grai witch scene

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by Burkard Polster and Marty Ross

17:03
- Crowd: A witch! A witch! A witch! We found a witch! We've got a witch! A witch! A witch! We have found a witch. May we burn her?
- How do you know she is a witch
- She looks like one.
- Bring her forward.
- I'm not a witch! I'm not a witch !
- But you are dressed as one.
- They dressed me like this. - No, we didn't.
- And this isn't my nose. It's a false one.
- Well? - We did do the nose.
- The nose? - And the hat. But she is a witch !
- Did you dress her up like this? - No, no!
- Yes. A bit.
- She has got a wart.
- What makes you think she's a witch?
- She turned me into a newt!
- A newt?
- I got better.
- Burn her anyway!
- Quiet! Quiet!
- There are ways of telling whether she is a witch.
- Are there? What are they? Tell us. - Do they hurt?
- Tell me, what do you do with witches?
- Burn them!
- And what do you burn, apart from witches?
- More witches! - Wood!
- So why do witches burn?
- 'Cause they're made of wood? - Good!
- How do we tell if she is made of wood? - Build a bridge out of her.
- But can you not also make bridges out of stone?
- Oh, yeah.
- Does wood sink in water?
- No, it floats. - Throw her into the pond!
- What also floats in water?
- Bread. - Apples.
- Very small rocks. - Cider! Great gravy.
- Cherries. Mud. - Churches.
- Lead. - A duck!
- Exactly.
- So, logically--
- If she weighs the same as a duck.
- she's made of wood.
- And therefore?
- A witch!
- A duck! A duck! - Here's a duck.
- We shaIl use my largest scales.
- Burn the witch !
- Remove the supports!
- A witch!
- It's a fair cop.
- Who are you, who are so wise in the ways of science?
- I am Arthur, king of the Britons.

P2. All things that weigh the same as a duck are things that can float.
Hoky grai witch scene

The Hecate witch scene adds another layer of supernatural elements to the play. It emphasizes the theme of the dark forces at work in Macbeth's life and foreshadows his imminent downfall. The scene also highlights the power struggle among the witches and their desire to manipulate Macbeth for their own gain. Although the Hoky grai witch scene is not as well-known as other famous scenes in "Macbeth", it is a crucial moment in the play. It reveals the witches' true intentions and sets the stage for the tragic events that will unfold in the subsequent acts. The scene also adds to the sense of foreboding and darkness that permeates the play, contributing to its overall mood and atmosphere..

Reviews for "Witchcraft Accusations and Investigations in the Hoky Grai Witch Scene"

1. John - 1/5 stars - I did not enjoy the "Hoky grai witch scene" at all. The acting was mediocre, and the dialogue was cheesy. The special effects looked cheap and unrealistic, which made it hard for me to get immersed in the story. Overall, I found this scene to be cringe-worthy and unimpressive.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - The "Hoky grai witch scene" left me feeling underwhelmed. The storyline did not make much sense, and the scene seemed forced and out of place. The costumes and set design were subpar, making it difficult to believe in the world that was being portrayed. The lack of tension and suspense also made this scene less thrilling than anticipated. Overall, it fell flat and failed to capture my attention.
3. Mike - 2/5 stars - The "Hoky grai witch scene" was disappointing. The acting was subpar, with stiff and unnatural performances. The dialogue was cliché and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with the characters. The overall execution of the scene was also lacking, with poor pacing and awkward transitions. It was a forgettable moment in an otherwise forgettable movie.
4. Rebecca - 1/5 stars - I can't say I enjoyed the "Hoky grai witch scene" at all. The whole concept seemed ridiculous, and the execution was even worse. The special effects were laughably bad, and the acting was melodramatic and cringeworthy. It's hard to believe that this scene made it into the final cut of the movie. It was an absolute waste of time and left me feeling disappointed.
5. Robert - 2/5 stars - The "Hoky grai witch scene" lacked originality and failed to offer anything unique. The cliché storyline and predictable plot twists made it a tiresome watch. The visual effects were unimpressive and outdated, making it difficult to keep my attention. Overall, this scene felt like a wasted opportunity and did not live up to my expectations.

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