Witches

• The Three Witches


  Also known as the Three Weird Sisters, they are morally ambiguous characters whose prophecies drive Macbeth to his tyrannical desire for power
• When the witches first meet Macbeth and Banquo


  They prophesy that Macbeth will become King of Scotland and that Banquo's descendants will be kings
• When Macbeth seeks them out again


  They produce apparitions of his downfall while delivering three more prophecies to him: beware Macduff, none of woman born will harm him, and he will be safe until a local wood, Birnam Wood, marches into battle against him
• The witches' prophecies


  Drive Macbeth to his tyrannical desire for power
• THREE WITCHES: 'Double, double, toil and trouble; / Fire burn, and cauldron bubble'
• The Three Witches leave the audience questioning whether they are agents of fate or independent agents manipulating humans' lives