Paul Claudio
12/16/04
The Witches’ Role in Macbeth
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, The three witches play a very important role in the story. In the beginning, the witches’ make important prophecies that basically plan out the entire story, more or less. “Fair is foul and foul is fair” is the witches’ famous, and all too true, quote that applies to all of Macbeth’s reckless and foolhardy deeds. It seems as if the witches’ come in at the very beginning and do not reappear until Act 4 to make more prophecies, but one could overlook the three strange events that happened to Macbeth and his affairs around the time of the murders.
First of all, when Macbeth kills Duncan in Act 2, a dagger appears before Macbeth. “I see before me a dagger of the minds creation. “He thinks it’s a figment of his imagination, but to protect the prophecies, the witches’ made the dagger appear. Knowing that Macbeth was having second thoughts about committing the murder, the witches’ forced the image of the dagger into Macbeth’s mind to ensure that he carries out the murder of Duncan. Also, after the murder is committed, Macbeth hears a voice that says “Murder!” Shortly after, he hears another voice saying “ Sleep no more…..Macbeth shall sleep no more” At this point, the witches’ are once again protecting the prophecies. With Duncan out of the way, the only person standing in his way of keeping the throne in his own lineage is Banquo.
The witches made another prophecy, this time to Banquo. “Thou shall get Kings, though thou shall not be one.” This prophecy says that somewhere in Banquo’s line, there will be Kings, though he won’t be a King himself. Macbeth wants to ensure that the throne stays in his line, so being driven by jealousy and hatred, Macbeth sets out to kill Banquo. However, Macbeth does not kill Banquo himself. He hires two murderers to take care of Banquo and Fleance, his son. On the night of the murder, a mysterious third murderer shows up, claiming he was sent by Macbeth. After Banquo is killed, the third murderer drops the torch, putting out the light, and allowing Fleance to escape. At this point, no one else knew that Macbeth arranged Banquo’s murder. The third murderer must have been a witch. Once again, to protect the prophecies, the witches interfered and ruined things further for Macbeth. By allowing Fleance to escape, the fact that Banquo’s children will be kings is still a threat. With only half the deed completed, Macbeth is put into a very compromising situation. However, that is not the greatest problem that he faces. The night will holds much more horrible things in store for Macbeth.
The night after Banquo’s murder, Macbeth holds a banquet at his castle. At the King’s table, a seat is not set aside for Banquo. However, Banquo seems to be taking up his seat at the table, even though he is dead. Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost at the table, and begins going into a big outburst about how he didn’t kill Banquo. The guests at the table do not know what Macbeth is talking about, and begin to think he is feeling a little under the weather. Once again, to protect the prophecies, the witches make Banquo’s ghost appear. Knowing that Macbeth is paranoid about Banquo’s murder, the witches cause this apparition to tell everyone that Macbeth is the murderer. When Banquo is found the next day, everyone will know Macbeth committed the murder after his big escapade at the table. “
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With the blood of Duncan and Banquo now on his hands, Macbeth doesn’t know what else to do with himself, except kill more people in his quest for greatness. The witches are visited by the head witch, Hecate, later in the Act. Hecate congratulates the witches on what a fine job they’re doing. This means that the witches caused all of the odd events that happened to Macbeth. Being congratulated by their master, the witches see no reason to stop tormenting Macbeth. More is in store for Macbeth, and the witches will continue to ensure that Macbeth’s journey ends in despair.
In conclusion, the witches cause of all the strang
e events that happen to Macbeth to ensure that the prophecies are carried out. Macbeth is digging himself deeper and deeper, and soon he’ll reach 6 feet under, when it will be too far to go back. The witches will continue to make Macbeth’s situation as miserable as it is right now. Only time will tell what happens to Macbeth, but regardless, the witches will remain a big part of the tragedy that is Macbeth.
