...Macbeth - the Role of the Three Witches The witches in Macbeth reveal human weakness, heighten the tension, and foreshadow things to come, but they do not control Macbeth or anyone else in the play. The only power they have is their ability to reinforce an idea and to cause temptation that was already in his head. Hectate suggests that they do not have the power to make him do the evil and mischief that they desire him to do, nor do they need that power. Macbeth is fully capable of doing all the mischief and evil on his own without the witches. The witches control Macbeth by physical and/or emotional force. Fear and threats, rewards and praise work to control others. These ideas work to different degrees on different people. So much of what is called control depends on the person that is being controlled. For example, Macbeth was easy to control because he thought that the witches had foretold the future but in reality, they brought an idea to the attention of Macbeth. The promise of a throne may send some people to their knees while others will take to their heels. When the witches hold out their promises to Macbeth the only reason they can manipulate him is because they have a knowledge of his ambition and his need for power. In the end this was all they needed to know and to be sure of. They may try to manipulate, but they do not need to control. The character flaws that Macbeth has, will be enough to fill their needs. It is interesting to note that the witches do not...
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...Witches are women who posses evil magic powers who associate with the devil. Most Western culture imagines witches as women who wear pointy hat, fly on a broomstick and lay curses and misfortune upon others. However, the three witches in the play Macbeth demonstrate a different approach. The Three Witches are depicted as old, ugly women who have beards and scaly fingers. Additionally, they have a critical role in telling the main character, Macbeth, the prophecies and predictions. As a result, the Three Witches play a significant importance to the play Macbeth because they are the ones who instill negative thoughts and ideas into Macbeth’s head with their predictions and emphasize the main theme of evil and darkness. The evil witches are important to the play because they are the ones who instill negative thoughts and ideas into Macbeth’s head with their predictions. First of all, the witches’ predictions give him the idea of killing King Duncan. When the witches first encounter Macbeth, they say, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!/ All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!/ All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter” (Shakespeare 1:3 50-53). Macbeth is confused when he hears about the prediction and he is astonished when the prediction regarding Cawdor becomes true. After that, he immediately begins to think about his last prediction and imagines about committing murder. He says, “Two truths are told,/ As happy prologues to the swelling act/ Of...
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...10HB Literary Analysis Assignment 2015.6.11 Macbeth and the Prophecy In the beginning of the play, the three witches told Macbeth about the prophecy that he was doing to be the thane of Cawdor, then the king of Scotland. Although Macbeth’s own choices plays a larger role in his downfall, the prophecy was also an important part of the down fall. Macbeth’s down fall was caused by both Macbeth’s own choices of deciding to get his throne by killing and to be a ruthless tyrant, and the witches’ prophesy acting as a “catalyst” (Bernad, 59) in this chemical reaction. Macbeth probably entertained the idea of murder before meeting the three witches (Firkins, 417). This can be tell by Banquo’s words after the witches tell Macbeth’s prophecy: “Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear / Things that do sound so fair? (Act I, Scene iii)” Macbeth’s fear of the prophecy showed that he had thought about getting his throne by killing king Duncan; he was afraid that his thoughts will came true. Judging from his idea of murder, Macbeth has “unquestionable physical courage”, and also ambitious and unprincipled (Firkins, 417). Although Macbeth has ethics and reasons of not killing Duncan, but he cares more about getting into and stay in the throne than anything else. He dares to do whatever “bloody businesses” to maintain his position, even those businesses causes him a great feeling of guiltiness (especially the killing of Duncan), which eventually leads to his down fall. Although...
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...In Macbeth, ambition is characterized as a dangerous quality. Ambition is the downfall of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, which triggers the murders that take place in Macbeth. Although, Macbeth’s tragic flaw is ambition, it is the driving force of the play which is influenced by Lady Macbeth and the three witches. Lady Macbeth plays a major role in the downfall of Macbeth. She influenced and convinced Macbeth to commit the murder about Duncan, believing that the power would bring both of them happiness. Lady Macbeth says “Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise thee with the valour of my tongue. (Shakespeare 353)” It is as though Lady Macbeth is Macbeths bad conscious. She remarks, that she will solve his dilemma by poisoning his mind with her evil plan of murdering Duncan. Unlike her husband she is made of sterner stuff and has no moral scruples because she is evil to the core and decides to convince Macbeth to murder the king. This is the first murder victim of Macbeth. After the death of King Duncan, Lady Macbeth commits suicide which it is another breaking point of his down fall. Macbeth’s quest and desire for the power caused him to become a man of no emotions. Macbeth is an easy person to persuade and convince. Since the three witches gave him his prophecies, Macbeth’s character changed gradually over the course of the play. He became obsessed with making sure the prophecies come true as well as having a strong desire for power as...
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...example in the story Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the main character Macbeth, is highly influenced by three Witches and his wife to do terrible and unforgettable deeds. Therefore the three Witches, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth all share blame for the mysterious tragedies that are afflicted on various characters. “Double, double toil and and trouble,” the three Witches cackled as they persuaded and foreshadowed Macbeth’s future empire and mistakes. As of this quote this is the first time that the Witches have appeared and told Macbeth about various actions and foreshadowed prophecies. The three Witches state, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!/ All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!/ All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!” (Act I, sc 3...
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...Weston Balskus Macbeth Thesis Paper 1-2-13 British Lit The Witches in ‘Macbeth’ “Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron bubble” (Act 4 Scene 1). These famous words, said by the three witches, come from one of William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies- ‘Macbeth’ Completed in 1606, this play is set in Scotland, and dramatizes the corroding psychological and political effects produced when its protagonist, the Scottish lord Macbeth, chooses evil as the way to fulfill his ambition for power. Shakespeare wrote this play when attitudes were completely different to the attitudes of society today, in particular, widespread belief in witchcraft. In the play of 'Macbeth' the witches have an important effect on Macbeth, the characters, the plot, the theme and the audience. They help construct the play and without them it would have been a totally different story line. The three witches effect characters’ lives, orientate the plot, they are related to most of the themes or motifs and appeal the audience's attention. The witches, or three sisters, have a strong effect on the characters of the play- especially Macbeth. When Macbeth meets the witches for the first time, they greet him as the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is Thane of Glamis and does not know about Cawdor, he hasn’t heard that the Thane of Cawdor has died. “I know I am Thane of Glamis, But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives” (Act 1 Scene 3). When Macbeth learns that the thane of Cawdor has in fact died...
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...The Will of the Witches In the play “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare, the element of sorcery play many roles such as dealing tragedy, and often stirring up the truth in the physical form of the witches. The three witches that Macbeth stumbles upon were man-like by appearance and offered very difficult discernment for both Macbeth and Banquo to tell whether they were woman or not. Like their appearance, their roles offered the same discernment. Although some critics offer that point that the witches have nothing to do with the play, it can be argued that the weird sisters in fact take control of the outcome of the fates of many. The setting of the play is like the netherworld setting, which is known by the rule of uncertainty. The only thing set in stone was evil, hence the weird sisters. With that being said, the role of the weird sisters was to create an uncertainty, to open up the doors to an unknown realm, and to cause the scattering of ideas. This is seen throughout the play such as when the witches plant a seed into Macbeth’s head to cause him to think, and to act differently, which ultimately causes the exposure of his true character. The first role that the witches play is made obvious when they deliberately acknowledge Macbeth as not only the Thane of Glamis, but also the Thane of Cawdor and all hailing King. This, most likely being the most important event in the poem due to its initiation of the actual purpose of the story, is what really leads Macbeth to believe that...
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...Scene I of Macbeth is used by Shakespeare to introduce the concept of tragedy and to set the tone for the rest of the play. The first thing that is the audience is drawn to is the thunder and lightning presented in the opening stage directions to the play, presenting inclement and ominous weather alongside the appearance of the witches, the instruments of darkness. The audience will already be aware of the significance of this use of the thunder and lightning as Elizabethan audiences often attributes violent weather with supernatural forces, which are embodied by the Three Witches here. This created a great sense of fear in Shakespearean audiences, as they were very superstitious and afraid of the supernatural. Right at the start of the scene we are made aware that we will see the witches once more, with the first witch asking her companions ‘when [they] shall...meet again/ in thunder, lightning or in rain’, again emphasising the role of the weather in presenting them as ominous and sinister characters, perhaps also suggesting that they have powers to control the weather, as is seen later on in the play. This weather is symbolic of the chaos that the witches will bring into Macbeth’s life, as it is they who set him on the inevitable path that leads to his demise by planting the seed of greed in his mind, as well as preparing us for the crimes that Macbeth commits later on in the play. However the first witches’ limiting choice of weather conditions in which they are to meet...
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...Being Macbeth ENG 125 Instructor: Sahag Gureghian 03/11/2014 Being MacBeth Talk about a difficult read! Macbeth is definitely a difficult read, but it is also a very good read. There is something about the way it is written that has you raising your eyebrow and widening your eyes, as well as, questioning what was just read. Shakespeare used many elements when writing Macbeth. He was able to express each and every idea vividly using the elements. The three elements that I chose to discuss in this essay are foreshadowing, symbolism, and language. The first element that I would like to discuss is foreshadowing. A lot of foreshadowing took place in Macbeth. Clugston defines foreshadowing as “a technique a writer uses to hint or suggest what the outcome of an important conflict or situation in a narrative will be” (2010). Sometimes when foreshadowing is used in Macbeth it is very unclear of what the outcome will be. When you read a certain part and think one thing, Shakespeare uses foreshadowing and the reader is left asking questions and wondering what will happen, and why. In Act 1 Scene 1, the three witches are talking about Macbeth. They are discussing Macbeth’s future during thunder and lightning. I believe that not only does the witches conversation lead the reader to believe that something will happen, but the thunder and lightning also play an important role in what is to come for Macbeth. In scene 3, the witches appear again. This time they are not alone....
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...seen minimally in Macbeth. Written during a time when female actors were never cast, maybe that is why. Although, most likely Shakespeare did that on purpose, trying to make a statement. Even though they have been given small parts, lady macbeth, Hecate, three witches, and Lady Macduff leave the play dramatically different when they stop speaking. Lady Macbeth defies gender roles with her willingness to be a leader in her marriage. Similarly, Lady Macduff shows a gentler side of women than seen in Lady Macbeth showing the complexity of a woman's nature. The weird Sisters and Hecate also step out of the dome of domesticity as they play with Macbeth's ambition. Lady Macbeth is first scene in Act 1 scene 5 when she receives the news that Macbeth has been named Thane of Cawdor. Upon that news Lady Macbeth’s ambition automatically takes over. Lady Macbeth realizes that there is still an opportunity to gain an even more prestigious position “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promised” (1-5. 14-15). Then what is really important is she takes the role of gaining that prestigious position on herself as she views Macbeth as “too full of the milk of human kindness” (1-5. 39-50). Lady Macbeth then asks...
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...Don’t be misled by the idea that fate is the reason for the actions that are made in your life. Freewill and the choices you commit play a bigger part in your future rather than destiny. Destiny and fate are concepts based on the belief that there is a fixed natural order to the universe. This is unmistakably demonstrated the 17th century play Macbeth. Shakespeare has most definitely positioned the audience to view Macbeth as a partial victim of fate, through the use of dramatic technique and manipulation of language. He is under the influence of the supernatural forces of the witches. However, Shakespeare also portrays Macbeth as a man of action that freely shapes his own future through his own decisions and actions. This is clearly made evident...
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...Macbeth: A Tragic Hero? William Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth, attains a protagonist that evidently portrays himself as a tragic hero. A tragic hero is a character that is not completely good or evil and has a tragic flaw that eventually leads to his downfall. Macbeth is the epitome of a tragic hero because he starts off as a noble man until his own actions, also influenced by others, bring him to his own death. The events that help take Macbeth to his end are the prophecies told to him by the three witches, Lady Macbeth's pressure that drives him into committing horrible actions, and his own ambition that takes over him and leaves him as nothing but a power and money hungry character. Macbeth starts off with Macbeth and Banquo being praised after battling bravely in a war against the Irish Invaders. “At the beginning of the play, he seems the epitome of a loyal subject, valiantly fighting the rebel forces to protect the king and preserve his power.” (Elaine Pilkington 1) King Duncan believed that Macbeth was tremendously heroic in the battle and decided to name him the new thane of Cawdor after executing the old one because of his betrayal. However, before hearing from the King, Macbeth and Banquo were on their way to the King's court when they were suddenly accompanied by three witches.The witches greet Macbeth as the thane of Glamis, which was his original and only title, and as the thane of Cawdor, which Macbeth was not yet informed of. The witches also tell Macbeth...
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...character of Macbeth is a classic example of a Shakespearean tragic hero. There are many factors which contribute to the degeneration of Macbeth of which three will be discussed. The three points which contribute greatly to Macbeth's degeneration are the prophecy which was told to him by the witches, how Lady Macbeth influenced and manipulated Macbeth's judgment, and finally Macbeth's long time ambition which drove his desire to be king. Macbeth's growing character degenerates from a noble man to violent individual. The prophecies which were told by the witches were one of the factors which contributed to the degeneration of his character. If it had not been for the witches telling him that he was to be Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glamis, and King of Scotland, Macbeth would still be his ordinary self. As a result of the prophecies, this aroused Macbeth's curiosity of how he could be King of Scotland. As the play progresses, Macbeth slowly relies on the witches prophecies. Shakespeare uses the witches as a remedy for Macbeth's curiosity which corrupts his character. The influence of Macbeth's wife, Lady Macbeth also contributed to his degeneration of character. Lady Macbeth's character in the beginning reveals that she is a lovable person. When Lady Macbeth was ready to kill King Duncan herself, it showed that Lady Macbeth could not murder King Duncan because he reminded her of her father. This proves that Lady Macbeth has a heart deep inside her. Lady Macbeth plays an important...
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...In William Shakespeare's Macbeth the witches play an important role throughout the play. Although it may seem that their part is small, without them there would simply be no theme and storyline in this play. The witches provide readers with a theme, foreshadowing, overall mood and also the evolution of Macbeth’s character which are all crucial in the play. The witches believe that, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” (I.I.XII), stating that what may seem normal or ordinary on the outside may not be the same on the inside. This quote is repeated throughout Macbeth and presents itself as a major theme in the play. It shows that what seems normal or ordinary on the outside may not be the same on the inside. The prophecies that the witches tell Macbeth...
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...Set in medieval Scotland and partly based on a true historical account, Shakespeare’s Macbeth, is a tragedy play which tells the story of bloody rise to power and tragic downfall of the warrior Macbeth. The protagonist Macbeth is a successful soldier in the army of King Duncan, whose fate is largely influenced by characters in the play who have been successful in manipulating the weaker aspects of his persona. The story of Macbeth illustrates the terrible consequences of succumbing to tragic flaws. However, Macbeth is not culpable for all his ruthless behaviour. The extent to which the three witches influence Macbeth is significant and without their cryptic prophesies, implications, riddles, and ambiguity many of Macbeth’s violent murders and...
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