Macbeth Group

Question:

jessy18
jessy18
Student
High School - 12th Grade

why where the witches important in Macbeth's decisions?

 

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Posted by jessy18 on Saturday September 19, 2009 at 3:18 PM and tagged with literature, tragedy of macbeth.

Answers:

  1. cutiechandrika
    cutiechandrika Student
    Graduate School

      On a heath, with thunder still rumbling, the three witches are awaiting Macbeth on his way from victory. when Macbeth, accompanied by Banquo arrives,the witches greet him as "thane of Glamis", "thane of Cawdor", and "king hereafter". They disappear before the arrival of Ross and Angus who bring the news that the king has bestowed on Macbeth the title of "thane of cawdor". Fascinated by this speedy proof of the witches' foreknowledge, Macbeth is 'rapt' and he begins to speculate to himself upon the prospect of becoming the king in future.He accepts the prophecy as an invitation to hellish deed of evil.

    Here the world of supernatural and the world of men, which remained separated till now, are brought together. The vindictiveness of the witches apparent in their curses on the sea captain, casts a gloom on Macbeth's carrer also.

    The prophecies of the witches are clearly an influence, dangerous circumstance with which Macbeth has to deal.But Macbeth was not an innocent man-therefore he is startled and agitated. He was free to accept or reject the soliciting but the temptation was already within him. He speaks of "supernatural soliciting" but in reality they just announce events, they do not tempt. The idea of fulfilling the prophecy by murder was entirely of his own.

    For example- In Act 4 sc1 Macbeth seeks out the witches, as he had commited himself to his course of evil. it is now that they do 'solicit'. They prophesy, but they also give advice: they bid him to be 'bloody', 'bold' and 'secure'. Even then he is free to act on his own initiative. His first act after the meeting- the slaughter of Macduff's family was not hinted by them.

    So the weird sisters may be anything except fates. They have no direct share in the action and yet form an integral part of the play. They and their prophecies represent not only the evil tendencies in the hero's soul but also the unknown vague influences of evil around him in the world which help the incitements of his wife and his own ambitions. 

              

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    Posted by cutiechandrika on Sunday September 20, 2009 at 12:37 AM