A drum, a drum! Macbeth doth come.
Act I, Scene 3 · The Three Witches
Context
The Third Witch announces Macbeth's approach as the sound of a military drum grows louder offstage.
Analysis
The repetition of "drum" creates a percussive, almost hypnotic rhythm that matches the actual drumbeat the audience hears, as if the witches' speech summons Macbeth rather than merely announcing him. This blurs the line between observation and causation—are they reporting his arrival or calling him into their trap? The brevity and certainty of the line give the witches an eerie authority over the scene's timing.
Essay Tip
Use this to argue that the witches don't just predict events—they stage-manage them, positioning themselves as directors of the action and making Macbeth's entrance feel less like chance and more like an appointment he's compelled to keep.