The role of Witches in macbeth
THE WITCHES MACBETH
The witches known as the “weird sisters” in Macbeth are present in only four scenes in the play. But Macbeth’s fascination with them motivates much of the play’s action. The witches First appear with thunder and lightning give us the atmosphere of the play. Shakespeare used a number of devices to create a sense of otherness and malevolence for the Macbeth witches. For example:
The Macbeth witches speak in rhyming couplets which distinguishes them from all other characters in the play
The Macbeth witches are said to have beards, making them difficult to gender
They are always accompanied by storms and bad weather
During the play, the Macbeth witches make five key predictions:
1. Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor
2. Banquo’s children will become kings
3. They advise Macbeth to “beware Macduff”
4. Macbeth cannot be harmed by anyone “of woman born”
5. Macbeth cannot be beaten until “Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane shall come”
THE WITCHES PROPHECY
Macbeth and banquo return victorious from a great battle were stopped by three strange figure like women except that they had beards and their lined skins and wild dress made them look not like any earthly creatures. Macbeth first addresses them. Upon Macbeth and Banquo meeting the witches, Macbeth is informed of the witches’ prophecies of him becoming the thane of Cawdor and the king of Scotland. At first Macbeth doubts the truthfulness of their words but begin trusting their prediction when Ross informs Macbeth that he has been titled the Thane of Cawdor. The supernatural did not help Macbeth discover his future.
Banquo interoperates the prophecies differently since Banquo realizes the ill intentions of the witches and cautions Macbeth against following people who warship the devil. After the encounter with the witches, Macbeth considers actions to overthrow Duncan and to take over the throne of Scotland. When Duncan names Malcolm as heir to the throne, Macbeth resolves to follow
The witches known as the “weird sisters” in Macbeth are present in only four scenes in the play. But Macbeth’s fascination with them motivates much of the play’s action. The witches First appear with thunder and lightning give us the atmosphere of the play. Shakespeare used a number of devices to create a sense of otherness and malevolence for the Macbeth witches. For example:
The Macbeth witches speak in rhyming couplets which distinguishes them from all other characters in the play
The Macbeth witches are said to have beards, making them difficult to gender
They are always accompanied by storms and bad weather
During the play, the Macbeth witches make five key predictions:
1. Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor
2. Banquo’s children will become kings
3. They advise Macbeth to “beware Macduff”
4. Macbeth cannot be harmed by anyone “of woman born”
5. Macbeth cannot be beaten until “Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane shall come”
THE WITCHES PROPHECY
Macbeth and banquo return victorious from a great battle were stopped by three strange figure like women except that they had beards and their lined skins and wild dress made them look not like any earthly creatures. Macbeth first addresses them. Upon Macbeth and Banquo meeting the witches, Macbeth is informed of the witches’ prophecies of him becoming the thane of Cawdor and the king of Scotland. At first Macbeth doubts the truthfulness of their words but begin trusting their prediction when Ross informs Macbeth that he has been titled the Thane of Cawdor. The supernatural did not help Macbeth discover his future.
Banquo interoperates the prophecies differently since Banquo realizes the ill intentions of the witches and cautions Macbeth against following people who warship the devil. After the encounter with the witches, Macbeth considers actions to overthrow Duncan and to take over the throne of Scotland. When Duncan names Malcolm as heir to the throne, Macbeth resolves to follow