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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. 

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