Why Are The Witches So Important In Macbeth Essay

Topic: How important are the witches to Macbeth? Discuss the effects of the witches on character, plot, themes and audience.

  The tragedy of Macbeth comes about because of a single event in his life. If that one moment, the meeting with the witches on the heath, had not happened then Macbeth would no doubt have gone on to be a loyal and respected subject of King Duncan and, later, King Malcolm. However, the meeting did happen and the powerful force of ambition was unleashed within Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. It is the combination of these two factors, the meeting with the witches and Macbeth's own inner demons, that lead to tragedy, and make the play 'terrifying' in the Aristotelian sense.

In Macbeth the witches have an evil effect on Macbeth, other characters, the plot, the theme, and the audience. They contribute to the play, and without them the plot would be greatly altered. The three witches have an evil effect on Macbeth and how he makes his actions throughout the play.

Whenever there is a mass murder and dozens of innocent people die the world wants to know why the murderer would do such a thing. Sometimes, the murderer is acting under the influence of someone else. This is the case in William Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Macbeth, where the titular character commits multiple crimes after hearing three witches predict his future. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, the witches are the catalyst to all of Macbeth’s crimes. This can be seen when they convince Macbeth that he will become king, they motivate him to kill Banquo and they inform him that he is virtually unkillable and should fear MacDuff.

Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth, is a play that transcends time due to its timeless and universal themes. The themes presented in this play are just as relevant to modern audiences as they would have been to contemporary Elizabethan audiences. The play has been able to maintain its textual integrity, withstanding the fact that it is now performed out of its original context to remain a successful play for modern audiences. The issues of heroism, abuse of power and the deceptiveness of appearances are all key within the play, conveyed through the use of dramatic and literary techniques, are issues which still resonate with contemporary audiences. Shakespeare has tested the parameters of the conventional tragedy that was extremely popular during his lifetime and in doing so has created text, which is still relevant today.

laugh to scorn / The power of man, for none born of woman / Shall harm Macbeth."

The three witches in the tragedy Macbeth are introduced right at the beginning of the play. The scene opens with the witches chanting three prophesies: Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glamis and King. These prophesies introduce Macbeth to his plan of defeat and to over power. Macbeth will eventually follow through in killing king Duncan. Some people believe that the witches had the ability to reverse the order of things. This brings into the play idea of fate and the role with which it has in the play. One can only wonder if Macbeth ever had a chance of doing what was right after he met with the witches. It is however, more realistic to believe that Macbeth was responsible for his own actions throughout the play and in the end,

It is also clear who is to be the target for the forces of evil; the

The “Tragedy of Macbeth” by William Shakespeare tells a tale of deceit, murder, and ambition, beginning with a cutthroat rise to power, followed by calamitous downfall. At the start of the play, Macbeth is a brave and loyal captain in King Duncan’s army, but after three witches prophesize that he himself will become the king of Scotland, and that those born of a friend, Banquo, will be king after him, Macbeth is overtaken by ambition and gluttony. Instigated by his wife and his own lust for power, he murders Duncan, assumes the throne, and subsequently sends mercenaries to kill Banquo’s sons. While awaiting battle, Macbeth addresses the death of his wife in Act V, scene 5. Throughout the

The play ‘Macbeth’ was written between 1603 and 1607 by the famous playwright William Shakespeare and it is considered to be one of his most famous darkest tragedies. It is about a regicide and its aftermath which would have been a topical issue in the period in which it was written in as it relates to the Gunpowder Plot. Since the King at the time, James I, funded the play and the actors it would have been important for Shakespeare to please him and stay on his side as some critics believe that it is a warning for anyone who tries to commit regicide. The play involves

The witches play an important role in Macbeth involving Macbeth’s hamartia. Macbeth’s ambition will not have led him to disastrous action. This will be argued with reference to Macbeth. The three witches enter amongst thunder and lightning creating an eerie atmosphere. They are a symbolism of darkness which represents something that is unnatural.

Who commissioned a Bible and wrote extensively on the existence of witches? Why, King James I of England, of course, who reigned from 1603 to 1625. Notably, James I also employed a troupe of playwrights including William Shakespeare; during Shakespeare’s time under James I he penned his four great tragedies: Othello, King Lear, Antony and Cleopatra, and Macbeth (Shellard). Although the case can be made that Macbeth transcends time in its literary value and meaning, analyzing this play through a historical lens furthers knowledge of Shakespeare’s desideratum . Understanding how historical events and customs shaped a text reveals insight into an author’s choices and intended meanings (Wells et al). Shakespeare’s portrayal of kings in Macbeth--particularly

‘Macbeth’ is a play by William Shakespeare that shows a protagonist going from bad to worse throughout the play. Shakespeare wrote this play, taking in mind current affairs at the time of 1603-1606. This is the time when a Scottish king, James I was given the English crown. This king was obsessed with witches, so Shakespeare brought this theme strongly into the play. It also brings the theme of treachery towards the King. This pleased King James and also pleased him about showing the line of Stuart Kings, James descendants, in Act 4, Scene 1.

will be not so happy because he will have an early death, but he will

Shakes pear is a universal playwright. He wrote 37 plays 154 sonnets 2 long narrative poems. In the present play the three witches represent darkness, chaos and conflict while their role is as agents and witness. They represent treason and impending doom at the time of Shakespear witches were seen as worse than rebels, "the most notorious traitor and rebel that can be. They were not only political traitors but spiritual traitors as well.