By the pricking of my thumbs something wicked this way comes

To remember this quote use the following mnemonic.

By the pressing of the door bell and the pricking of my thumbs I know

something called a wicker (wicked) chair comes this way (this way comes).

"By the pricking of my thumbs something wicked this way comes" Is in act 4, scene 1, line 44, and is spoken by the second witch just before Macbeth enters. 

Meaning 

• "By the pricking of my thumbs" - The witch feels a physical sensation (a superstition that a tingling thumb meant something bad was coming). 

• "Something wicked this way comes" - Someone evil is approaching - and it turns out to be Macbeth. 

• Overall interpretation - Even the witches, who are evil themselves, sense the darkness in Macbeth, showing how far he has fallen. 

Exam Advice 

• Context - Macbeth is arriving to demand answers from the witches. He is no longer being tempted - he's actively seeking dark knowledge. 

• Irony - The witches, symbols of evil, call Macbeth "wicked", showing how monstrous he's become.

• Theme of evil and supernatural - This line links to the play's atmosphere of dark magic, fate and moral corruption. 

• Character development - Macbeth is now fully immersed in evil. He has gone from noble soldier to being identified as a "wicked" force.

• Language - The rhyme and rhythm create a chilling, spell-like tone, reinforcing the supernatural mood.