The Role of the Three Witches in Macbeth

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THE ROLE OF THE THREE WITCHES 1. The witches in Macbeth are present in only four scenes in the play, but Macbeths fascination with them motivates much of the plays action. The Three Witches first appear with thunder and lightning and to give us the atmosphere of the play which is the supernatural atmosphere then they agree to meet later with Macbeth . 2. THE WITCHES’ PROPHECY Macbeth and Banquo returning victorious from a great battle were stopped by three strange figures like women except that they had beards and their lined skins and wild dress made them look not like any earthly creatures. Macbeth first addressed them, but each one laid a finger upon her skinny lips, for silence : and the first of them called Macbeth by the name of lord of Glamis . 3. The general was much surprised to find himself known by such creatures ; but how much more , when the second of them gave him the name of lord of Cawdor, to which honor he had no claim! . And again the third called to him, “ O king that shall be hereafter!” such a prophecy might well surprised him, for he know that while the king’s sons lived he could not hope to succeed to the throne. Then turning to Banque , they pronounced him , in a sort of riddle , to be lesser than Macbeth and greater ! Not so happy but much happier ! 4. And prophesied that though he should never be king yet his sons after him should be kings in Scotland. They then turned into air and disappeared by which the generals knew them to be witches. But the words of the witches had sunk too deep into the mind of Macbeth. From that time he bent all his thoughts on how to win the throne of Scotland. 5. The witches do not tell Macbeth directly to kill King Duncan, they use a subtle form of temptation when they tell Macbeth that he is destined to be king. By placing this thought in his mind, they effectively guide him on the
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