The Witches In Macbeth
It has been heavily debated whether or not the Witches in William Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, represent Macbeth’s desires or if they manipulate him to do their bidding. The belief that the Witches implanted the thought becoming king, and killing Duncan in Macbeth’s head is more accurate because of the following: he had not thought of the probability of being king, he is too kind, he doesn’t have the malice to spark his ambition, he holds the king to very high esteem, and killing the king goes against his nature. Macbeth believes that it would be impossible for him to be crowned king. After he was confronted by the Witches and the prophecy they give him, he responds with “[...] and to be king/ Stands not within the prospects of belief[...]”(1.3.73-74). In this statement, Macbeth reveals that the thought of being king is unfathomable, hence he did not desire to be king before meeting the Witches.
Lady Macbeth feels that Macbeth is too kind to kill the king. When she receives the letter from Macbeth about the Witches’ prophecies, she thinks “Yet do I fear thy nature;/ It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness[...]” (1.5.14-15). His wife thinks he is too kind to kill the king, furthermore …show more content…
backing the statement that Macbeth could not fathom killing the king.
Lady Macbeth also thinks he lacks the malice to spark his ambition.
Later in the letter she states that he lacks the malice to spark his ambition. “[...] Art not without ambition, but without/ The illness should attend it.” (1.5.17-18). It would not in Macbeth’s nature to kill King Duncan. Also Macbeth himself states he lacks the malice to spark his ambition. When he is reasoning with himself on why he would kill Duncan he says “I, have no spur/ To prick the sides of my intent, but only/ Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself/ And falls on th’ other.”(1.7.25-28). Macbeth says he has ambition, but not the malice that would make him want to kill the king. Both Macbeth and his wife agree on the point that he is ambitious but lacks the malice to kill the
king.
Macbeth states that killing the king is unthinkable and against his very nature. When he and Banquo were meet by Angus and Ross after meeting the Witches, Macbeth says in his aside “Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/ And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,/ Against the use of nature?” (1.3.135-37). Macbeth’s statement shows that killing Duncan would be against his nature, furthermore contradicting the statement that the Witches represent Macbeth’s desires.
Finally, Macbeth respects Duncan and holds him to very high esteem. When Macbeth was deciding on whether or not he wanted to kill him, he regards Duncan by saying “[...] Duncan/ Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been/ So clear in his great office, that his virtues/ Will plead like angels trumpet-tongued[...]” (1.7.16-19). Macbeth clearly respects Duncan and holds him to very high esteem, also why would he want to kill a person that even God smiles upon?
The Witches representing Macbeth's desires? Highly unlikely.The Witches planted the seed of evil in Macbeth and fostered it till it corrupted his mind and soul. Before meeting the Witches Macbeth had not thought about being king, and the thought of killing Duncan to become king wouldn’t even cross his mind.
Lady Macbeth feels that Macbeth is too kind to kill the king. When she receives the letter from Macbeth about the Witches’ prophecies, she thinks “Yet do I fear thy nature;/ It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness[...]” (1.5.14-15). His wife thinks he is too kind to kill the king, furthermore …show more content…
backing the statement that Macbeth could not fathom killing the king.
Lady Macbeth also thinks he lacks the malice to spark his ambition.
Later in the letter she states that he lacks the malice to spark his ambition. “[...] Art not without ambition, but without/ The illness should attend it.” (1.5.17-18). It would not in Macbeth’s nature to kill King Duncan. Also Macbeth himself states he lacks the malice to spark his ambition. When he is reasoning with himself on why he would kill Duncan he says “I, have no spur/ To prick the sides of my intent, but only/ Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself/ And falls on th’ other.”(1.7.25-28). Macbeth says he has ambition, but not the malice that would make him want to kill the king. Both Macbeth and his wife agree on the point that he is ambitious but lacks the malice to kill the
king.
Macbeth states that killing the king is unthinkable and against his very nature. When he and Banquo were meet by Angus and Ross after meeting the Witches, Macbeth says in his aside “Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/ And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,/ Against the use of nature?” (1.3.135-37). Macbeth’s statement shows that killing Duncan would be against his nature, furthermore contradicting the statement that the Witches represent Macbeth’s desires.
Finally, Macbeth respects Duncan and holds him to very high esteem. When Macbeth was deciding on whether or not he wanted to kill him, he regards Duncan by saying “[...] Duncan/ Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been/ So clear in his great office, that his virtues/ Will plead like angels trumpet-tongued[...]” (1.7.16-19). Macbeth clearly respects Duncan and holds him to very high esteem, also why would he want to kill a person that even God smiles upon?
The Witches representing Macbeth's desires? Highly unlikely.The Witches planted the seed of evil in Macbeth and fostered it till it corrupted his mind and soul. Before meeting the Witches Macbeth had not thought about being king, and the thought of killing Duncan to become king wouldn’t even cross his mind.