The play begins with The three witches (weird sisters) and the sound of thunder and lighting.
They discuss and decide when to meet again with Macbeth.

In 'A desolate place'. When a person feels desolate, they usually feel deserted, lonely and hopeless.Being in a desolate place makes people feel -well obviously - desolate. However, the fact that the three witches are conversing in a normal or even excited tone portrays the peculiarity in the way they behave opposed to norms of society. This creates a mysterious atmosphere of the supernatural powers and also the unknown future. 

The Three Witches could have entered together from the trapdoor - gives the audience the feeling that they're emerging from the underworld.
Two from either sides of the stage and one from the audience -
They can use the whole stage to interact with all the surrounding audience.
One or two of the witches can be hidden onstage - an element of surprise.
Witches spaced closely and movements are symmetrical -
Illustrates that they are unified.
Witches spaced far apart and movements are asymmetrical - 
Depicts that they bring chaos.

Supernatural - The weird sisters are servants of higher powers of evil.

Appearance vs reality-
The witches foreshadow the deceptive nature of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth which is prominent throughout the play. By using deception Lady Macbeth lures the unsuspecting Duncan to his death. Macbeth feigns loyalty to him while betraying him for his unyielding ambition. When Shakespeare illustrates the downfall Duncan he does so to instill in the audience  the dangers bearing 'absolute trust'.

Duncan, his sons(Malcolm and Donaldbain),Lennox and attendants hear of the current news on the battlefields from a bleeding captain. For awhile the victors were undecided with luck, infantry and cavalry on MacDonald's side. However, courageous Macbeth ,against all odds, killed MacDonald without hesitation. Yet, seeing this opportunity the Norwegian King began a fresh assault. Then the report is continued by Ross, who tells Duncan that the Norwegian King has attacked with an enormous army assisted by traitor Thane of Cawdor. Despite this, Macbeth fought till he broke their spirits bringing forth victory. Norway King wants a peace treaty and Duncan orders the execution of Thane of Cawdor giving the title to Macbeth.

Ideal Masculinity / Violence-
The idea of killing in the battle field is praise worthy shows the gory reality of this historical time period. 
Treachery- 
Thane of Cawdor's betrayal to Duncan. Foreshadowing of the eventual treason of Macbeth to the King.

The witches themselves are entities of darkness and depravity in Macbeth. They are the manifestations of Macbeth's innermost thoughts and temptations and show if left unchecked can lead you to lose all sense of morality. Making the audience ponder whether they could also be subjected to this fate?

"Or memorise another Golgotha"
Is a reference to the Christ's crucifixion implying that there is immense amounts of dead bodies caused by the slaughter Macbeth and Banquo. 
"Bellona's bridegroom"
Ross is comparing Macbeth with being married to the Roman Goddess of war, depicting him with Godlike abilities in battle.

"As sparrows, eagles, or the hare, the lion." 
Banquo and Macbeth are not even fazed by the threat of the invading army but "doubly re-doubled" their attacks. It also signify s the predatory, ruthless and animalistic nature of them.

"Fortune on his damned quarrel smiling, rebel's whore".
Pg.5 Line.14-15 
Fortune is represented by a blind woman spinning the wheel of fortune or luck. By comparing her to a prostitute who sides with MacDonald shows that she was not on Macbeth side. However, he defied all odds and defeated MacDonald painting him in a positive spotlight.

1606 English Tiger returned home after a disastrous voyage lasting 81 weeks 

Life - Is seen as a voyage during which we face difficulties, experience adventures and make discoveries. However, Shakespeare uses the witches to disturb the natural voyage of life and instead causes life to become full of hardships without any positive outcomes making living unbearable. Foreshadows that this will also occur to macbeth

"Witches vanish"
- Could have used a trap door with smoke effect
- Ran off stage or hide behind prop sneak off.
- lights can turn off and on giving them time to exit the stage quickly

Witches enter giving detailed accounts of evil they have committed or will do so such as killing swine or their plan to torture a sailor to death because his wife did not give chestnuts to the first witch. Macbeth and Banquo enter and are told about their prophecies. While they both are perplexed, Ross and Angus arrive with the news that Macbeth has become Thane of Cawdor. Banquo cautions not to believe the witches as they are giving misleading information. Macbeth has internal conflict but concludes that he can become king without his stir. Exits with other Thanes to meet Duncan.

Pathetic fallacy may be used by directors to show that the weather is foul (gloomy) but the victorious battle is "fair". 
Vice versa, weather can be fair and foulness is the carnage caused by the battle.

- Supernatural
Witches are shown as the from the superstitious views of Elizabethan era. 
- Equivocation 
deliberately speaking ambiguously with multiple meanings the witches cause Macbeth's confusion. Banquo later elaborates.
- Ambition/Evil 
Audience finds out that the witches have sparked Macbeth's ambition to become king with his personal thoughts about regicide.