The importance of the three witches in Macbeth.?

Question

I have to type a 4 page research paper on this. Could somone who knows a lot about Macbeth help me out or at least get me started? Thanks a lot.

Jennifer

Answer 1

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 hail Macbeth as three things: 1) Thane of Glamis, 2) Thane of Cawdor, and 3) King. Macbeth is already Thane of Glamis, but when Duncan makes him Thane of Cawdor as well, he begins to believe the rest of the prophesy could come true and that he could be king.

The witches could predict the future, they can add temptation, and influence Macbeth, but they cannot control his destiny. He chooses that for himself (and is influenced by his ambitious wife). He *chooses* to murder Duncan. When he becomes overcome by the guilt of this, he *chooses" to follow up by killing Banquo and McDuff's family. He is not forced to by the witches. The witches make him believe that he was invincible, so that he fights even when he knows that it would mean his doom. Macbeth's downfall was forseen (and perhaps) planned by the weird sisters, but it was Macbeth's own free will that lead him to it.

The witches in addition also add a theatricality to the play - can anyone not be drawn in by a scene of 3 hags round a cauldron chanting "Double double toil and trouble".


I suggest looking in the text for evidence of how Macbeth uses suggestions to justify his own decisions, and try to decide whether he would have still done those things if he hadn't met the witches. I would also suggest some research into Elizabethan attitudes to paganism and sourcery, and the symbolism Shakespere uses to hook his Elizabethan audience (the fact that there are 3 witches, whether their ingredients have any meaning etc).

Answer 2

3 Witches Macbeth

Answer 3

Three Witches In Macbeth

Answer 4

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RE:
The importance of the three witches in Macbeth.?
I have to type a 4 page research paper on this. Could somone who knows a lot about Macbeth help me out or at least get me started? Thanks a lot.

Jennifer

Answer 5

They are messing with Macbeth's brain and he is going along with them. They like to give people trouble. That is their nature. Remember the conversation about the sailor? They are harmful by nature. They like to misguide people. The witches get sheer joy out of troubling people.

Answer 6

I'd use the word catalyst to explain the three witches. They start the action and cause the problem in the plot. Without them and their prophecy, Macbeth wouldn't have gotten the idea that he was going to be king. It pushes his fatal flaw into action.

I hope this will get you started.

Answer 7

I did this for O-level English Literature, many years ago!

Can't think how to fill 4 pages though. They're sort of narrators, so you could pad it out with "translations" of such things as "graymalkin", "when the battle's lost and won", "paddock calls" and all the other weird things they say.

Answer 8

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Macbeth - Nobleman of Scotland, Thane of Glamis, and soon becomes Thane of Cawdor after defeating the previous Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is a brave and loyal man, but succumbs to his desires and ambitions by murdering King Duncan in order to gain the throne. Lady Macbeth - Ambitious wife of Macbeth. She convinces Macbeth to murder, but in the end it is she who has a conscience and cannot deal with the events that have occurred. Banquo - Nobleman of Scotland. Witnesses the prophesy the three weird sisters tell to Macbeth. He suspects Macbeth for the murder of King Duncan and is consequently killed because of his suspicions. Malcolm - Son of King Duncan. He and his brother are blamed for the death of their father, but eventually regains his family's throne. Donalbain - Son of King Duncan. Macduff - Nobleman of Scotland. He leaves Scotland to find Malcolm so he can convince him that he is needed in Scotland. Lady Macduff - Wife of Macduff. She is killed by murderers sent by Macbeth. Fleance - Son of Banquo. He escapes the murderers sent to kill him and his father. Lennox - Nobleman of Scotland. Aids in the battle against Macbeth. Ross - Nobleman of Scotland. Knows of Macduff's plan to seek out Malcolm. He aids in the battle against Macbeth. Menteith - Nobleman of Scotland. He aids in the battle against Macbeth. Angus - Nobleman of Scotland. He aids in the battle against Macbeth. Caithness - Nobleman of Scotland. He aids in the battle against Macbeth. Siward - The Earl of Northumberland. Uncle to Malcolm and Donalbain. He aids Malcolm in defeating Macbeth and his army. Young Siward - The son of Siward. He is slain by Macbeth. Macduff's son - Obviously, he is the son of Macduff. He is killed by the murderers who also kill his mother. The Weird Sisters The three witches who tell Macbeth the prophesy that he will be king. They set the wheels into motion that eventually destroy Macbeth. The weird Sisters probably aren't in the correct spot but i didnt know where to put them. They are major but dont have much time on stage. These are more in order of importance to plot than stage time Its an AMAZING story so you should read it. I usually dont like Shakespeare since its so hard to understand but this was GREAT!