OPPapers.com

Discuss The Role Of The Witches In Macbeth

Discuss the role of the witches in Macbeth

I think Shakespeare used the witches in the play to give the audience a sense that the witches are in control and very manipulative as they lured Macbeth to perform evil deeds. Shakespeare might have wanted to bring a little excitement and drama into the play. They chant "Fair is foul, and foul is fair!" at the beginning of Act 1 Scene 1 and then in Act 1 Scene 3 they said "Peace! – the charm's wound up" Then in Act 4 Macbeth seems to have been dragged under their spell as they hypnotise him using another one of their chants.

In Shakespeare's time most people were very superstitious believing in witches, ghosts and other supernatural beings. This is reflected in Macbeth. Around nine million women were put to death for being accused of witchcraft in the time of Shakespeare. (Witchcraft is the term for magical powers and the supernatural to control people, events and happenings). The practice of witchcraft was seen to challenge the order of religion and society and was not tolerated. Witch hunting was seen as respectable, moral and highly appreciated. As the majority believed in witches it suggests the powerful figures the witches have, who can practice great power over Macbeth. The intensity of the play depends on whether the witches are proved to be able to control Macbeth's actions or on if he is entirely responsible for his own deeds.

The witches did many things in the play which concluded they were witches. They controlled the weather, could see into the future, could sink ships, had the ability to make people go mad and were able to cast spells by chanting and making potions.

I think Shakespeare started the play with this scene because it sets a good scene. The witches are the first characters the audience sees and so is intended to create the setting and frighten the audience. The setting is in an open wasteland and thunder and lightening can be seen and heard. They inform them of a battle taking...