Macbeth and the Witches Essay - 1011 Words

Macbeth: The Witches’ Responsibility for Macbeth’s Actions The three witches that are introduced at the beginning of the play are responsible for the introduction of the ideas that caused Duncan’s death and Macbeth’s destruction but not for Macbeth’s actions themselves. They recount to Macbeth three prophecies; that Macbeth will be: 1) Thane of Cawdor, 2) Thane of Glamis, and 3) King. Macbeth welcomes the ideas spawned from the witches’ prophecies, which is what triggered the spiral of events in this story. Macbeth eventually followed through with killing King Duncan. It was sometimes thought that the witches had the ability to reverse the natural order of things. This brings to the play the idea of fate and the role it has in the play.†¦show more content†¦Lady Macbeth is partly to blame for the manipulation and the encouragement she gave Macbeth to do her evil deeds. Lady Macbeth is shown early in the play as an ambitious woman with a single purpose. She can manipulate Macbeth easily. This is shown in t he line quot;That I may pour my spirits in thine earquot; (1.5.26). She is selfless, and wants what is best for her husband. Before the speech that Lady Macbeth gives in Act I, Scene V, Macbeth has decided not to murder Duncan. However, Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth’s self-esteem by playing on his manliness and his bravery. This convinces Macbeth to commit regicide. Her manipulation of Macbeth is like a child who is easily guided. Lady Macbeth knows this and acts on it. Although Macbeth has the final say in whether or not to go through with the murder, he loves his wife and wants to make her happy. Lady Macbeth is the dominating individual in the relationship, which is shown in her soliloquy in Act I, Scene V: The raven himself is hoarse that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan under my battlements. Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me, form the crown to the toe, top-full of direst cruelty! Make thick my blood, stop up th’ access and passage to remorse, that no compunctious visitings of nature shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between th’ effect and it! Come to my woman’s breasts, and take my milk for gall, youShow MoreRelatedEssay On The Witches In Macbeth1134 Words   |  5 Pagesplay, Macbeth, by, William Shakespeare, the witches have a significant role. They represent that some things are too good too be true and sometimes we shouldn’t try and follow everything that we hear. The witches give Macbeth many prophecies throughout the play. Macbeth listened to the things they said and it resulted in his death and his own downfall. The witches play the role in the play of, developing plot, advancing characters and setting themes. 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They also said that Banquo’s sons willRead More The Witches in MacBeth Essay858 Words   |  4 PagesThe Witches in MacBeth      Ã‚   Shakespeare utilized many sources of information when writing his plays.   One of his sources for the witches in MacBeth was almost certainly Reginald Scots The Discoverie of Witchcraft, published in 1584.   In his book, Scot refuted many of the common notions regarding witches and their powers; nevertheless, the book created a basic outline for the typical witch, including physical descriptions and abilities.   The witches in MacBeth are representations of