Analysis Of Witches In Macbeth Essay, Research Paper

1/7/97

Analysis of Witches in Macbeth

In the play Macbeth by Shakespeare the three female witches play an

important part in the development of the story. This essay will analyze the

dramatic function of the witches in Act I of Macbeth.

I think that the reason that Shakespeare begins the play with the

witches is to gives us the impression that everything starts with the witches,

that is they are the catalysts for everything that happens in the play. I think

that the witches are also there to set the mood for the play, ?Hover through

the fog and filthy air.? This line gives us a sense of loneliness and

desperation.

The play would be drastically different if it sprang from Macbeth?s

own mind and he did not have any influence from the witches. If Macbeth

did not have any influence from the witches than he probably would not be

thinking about killing Duncan to become King. But with the witches help

this idea was thrust to the front of his mind and he thinks that he should kill

Duncan because the witches say that it is his destiny. I am sure that Macbeth

would not be as hesitant if the idea to kill Duncan came from his head

without the witches help. I say this because when you reason things out by

yourself you tend to now what is right and what is wrong, a conscience. But

with the outside influence from the witches he thinks that that is his destiny

and he must do everything to fulfill it.

What the witches say in the beginning is what influences the entire

plot. Macbeth hears these words and then tries to make them happen because

he listened to the witches and thinks that he is to become King. Macbeth

wants this to happen so badly that he tries to come up with plans and arrange

things in order for himself to meet this particular destiny.

The witches are essential to the play Macbeth, and without them the

plot of the play might be totally different, Macbeth might not kill Duncan and

so on. But we will never now because Shakespeare did not make two

versions of his classic play.