Skip to main content

What is the role of the witches in Macbeth?

The witches embody the supernatural in the play. One of the most prominent themes in the play is the supernatural world versus the natural world. The supernatural world is characterized in terms of mystery, dark forces, and abnormality. 


Many critics agree that the witches are not necessarily the representatives of evil. Instead, they serve to highlight the dark forces in Macbeth's heart, and they motivate him to seek those forces so that they could help...

The witches embody the supernatural in the play. One of the most prominent themes in the play is the supernatural world versus the natural world. The supernatural world is characterized in terms of mystery, dark forces, and abnormality. 


Many critics agree that the witches are not necessarily the representatives of evil. Instead, they serve to highlight the dark forces in Macbeth's heart, and they motivate him to seek those forces so that they could help him destroy himself. After all, Macbeth is the one who decides to act on the witches' prophecy. They do not make him do anything. So, the witches's genuine power remains questionable.


Hecate, the main witch, says that she, together with the other witches, will summon up apparitions so that she could trick Macbeth into thinking that they speak the truth. She hates Macbeth because he is "wayward son, spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do, loves for his own ends." Therefore, she recognizes his potential to hurt others for the sake of achieving his own goals. 


Additionally, Macbeth is the one who seeks out the witches. He is the one who wants to rely on the supernatural world, so he voluntarily chooses to embrace abnormality and dark forces, rejecting the natural order of things. 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is hyperbole in the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his... The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him plu
Post a Comment
Read more

How can I analyze Moon and Six Pence by Somerset Maugham?

In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of... In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of that society. His decision to e
Post a Comment
Read more

What are some literary devices in Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1?

Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not... Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh, oh! (5.1.53-55) Hyperbole - Obvious exaggeration  There is also h
Post a Comment
Read more