Role Of Witches In Macbeth - 1160 Words

The Wicked Witches of Scotland Throughout history, people have often fought over power and used it to dominate others. There are many forms of power such as physical strength, knowledge, wealth, possessions, and fear. These are simple, mundane powers that people can wield. However, in many religions and some superstitions, people believe in beings who possess supernatural powers. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth there are such beings, more specifically witches, who have many paranormal capabilities, including casting curses and predicting the future. Shakespeare incorporates these characters into his play to emphasize the inherent fear of these supernatural forces. Different cultures have varying types of witches, the ones depicted in†¦show more content†¦(3.5. 26-33). As depicted in this quote, witches do not always have a rational reason for bringing calamity upon someone by deceiving them. They plan on giving Macbeth a false sense of security, so that he will be overconfident, which will be the cause of his downfall. Both of these examples demonstrate that The Three Weird Sisters are corrupted by their powers because they deceive Macbeth and interfere with his fate. They do this solely for their own entertainment and to cause evil in the world. Secondly, The Witches are malicious beings who find joy and amusement in the pain of others. Witches are often depicted as repulsive old women who are feared because they cast spells and curses upon people who have displeased them. This malevolent nature is demonstrated by The Witches in Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 3 when they bewitch a sailor to wreak vengeance on his wife who refuses to give one of The Witches some of her chestnuts. The second time The Three Weird Sisters meet, the First Witch informs her c ompanions of the spiteful things she will do to the sailor when she says: I’ll drain him dry as hay: Sleep shall neither night nor day Hang upon his pent-house lide; He shall live a man forbid: Weary se’nnights nine times nine Shall dwindle, peak, and pine: Though hisShow MoreRelatedThe Role Of The Witches In Macbeth735 Words   |  3 Pages In the play Macbeth the three witches managed to change the future to what they had predicted. Other types of fantasy also played a role in making the tragic ending. These sorts of witchcraft or in other words magic made the play what it is and conveyed character such as Macbeth to do and think of certain things. The witches played a huge role in the story of Macbeth and made him become who he ends up as. Macbeth was a very honorable knight that served king Duncan till his last breath. 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