Witches

• • Weird Sisters connotations of "wired" meaning fate in Old English associating their speech with prophecy.
  • represent the three fates from classical mythology, as the three fates represent the past, present and future.
  • This reflects the three predictions they give to Macbeth, as they claim to "spin the threads of life".
  • The three Witches have differing roles as one spins, one measures, one cuts.
  • relates to their roles in the future, present and past, respectively.
  • in control of events, as they decide on the fates and destinies of men - or perhaps they lead them to their fate.
• Context:

  • James I's passion for witches is evident as he was involved in many Witch Trials where he took part in interrogating a witch.
  • who tried to kill him on the way to the trials and therefore the portrayal of the Witches as inherently evil and agents of Satan appeals to James I.
  • He wrote a book about witches - 'Daemonologie'.
  • Through connecting witches to regicide Shakespeare is clearly demonstrating that witchcraft is infernal
  • Shakespeare is evidencing his allegiance to the king and gaining his favour through this play.
• Context:

  • Shakespeare also has the moplay interesting to James so that he will financially support the theatre and ensure patronage
  • Shakespeare had been very reliant on Elizabeth's patronage previously in protection from puritans trying to ban the theatre.
  • could be why there are so many religious references.
  • in order to prove that theatre is not sinful and can actually serve to accompany the messages of the bible and reinforce them.
  • shown through Macbeth's fall from grace as he succumbs to the temptation of the Witches.
• Bible:

  • The Bible forms a great deal of references made in Macbeth, as the Witches subvert the holiness of Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism were the mainstream contemporary religions).
  • portrays the Witches as symbolising the perceived evil within the Bible.
• part of the fall of man:

  • causing him to succumb to temptation - like the serpent in the Garden of Eden.
  • The Witches form an anti-trinity - as they always appear in a three they form a trinity of evil.
  • opposes and contradicts trinity Father, the Sun and the Holy Ghost, who according to the Bible, comprise "one God in three Divine persons".
  • be contended that the three Witches comprise the Devil in three infernal persons.
  • Macbeth turns to them in times of need
  • for advice and comfort instead of to God. He has transitioned from good to evil - from "fair to foul"
• The Witches are dependent on Macbeth to fulfill their prophecies.

  • It was believed that witches were unable to directly kill man
  • so instead they had to control others to create the disorder and chaos they wished to impart on mankind.
• • Witches are simply a catalyst for Macbeth's actions
  • to fulfill his ambition for power which provides the momentum within the play.
  • he had the potential to sin, but needed the suggestion in order to persuade him
  • Therefore it can be said that Macbeth had the intent all along, but needed the Witches to tempt him of it.
  • The Witches sparked confidence within him so that he could do it and succeed
• The Witches are an archetype of ugly' femininity. They represent the classic old hag trope, and they occupy the very isolated edges of society, meeting on heaths and in caves. Shakespeare supports the common notion that women who refused to meet the expectations of femininity would be rejected by society and punished for their actions.