Representation Of The Witches In Macbeth

The witches in “Macbeth” are interesting characters in the play. The first images I think about when someone mentions witches are pointy hats and broomsticks. Many people’s idea when it comes to the portrayal of witches is very narrow and similar to my own opinion, however, “Macbeth” changes the way witches and magic can be portrayed. “Macbeth” gives flexibility for the depiction of the witches in movies and stage adaptations because there is not correct way to portray them. The witches can be portrayed as normal, menacing, evil or a combination of the three depending on the overall tone of different stage productions and movies. The opening scenes for different movies or stage productions set the tone for the rest of the story, not simply
Roman Polanski’s witches in the opening scene are simple older women. They do not stand out and they do not seem special. The only uncomfortable aspect of the witches is that they are burying a hand in the sand. Since the beginning scene does not focus on the witches in great detail, Polanski still must having a reason for not emphasizing the witches as much. I think Polanski is emphasizing nature more than she is the witches, however, she still incorporates the witches’ roles in the story by using nature. When the scene first opens there is the picture of the beach. Usually, the beach is a happy place, however, here the sky is filled with colors of orange a red and a looming unpleasant sound in the background. The sky represents the bloodshed that will occur. As the opening scene progresses, the sky transitions to a normal blue color with the sound of seagulls in the background. This transition from an ominous looking sky to that of a normal day represents how Macbeths life will transition from normal to one of bloodshed by his own hand. The witches entering once the transition takes place shows their importance by showing they are the cause of the transition in Macbeth’s