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Macbeth (Click to select text)
Imagine that you are sitting in a theater, back in Elizabethan times, waiting to see a play about a man named Macbeth. As the play begins, lightning flashes and instead of seeing a man named Macbeth, you see three weird-looking women. You assume that they must be witches. After all, they are chanting spells and acting rather strangely. You watch them for a short time, wondering if this is the mood for the entire play. You later realize that this was a setup to show that the duration of the play will portray evil and the motive to achieve ultimate power. Later you appreciate that Shakespeare is masterfully setting the mood in a scene that is a mere ten lines. By beginning the play with the witches, Shakespeare is making it clear that something wicked is going to happen involving Macbeth. In Act I, Scene 1, the third witch states "There to meet with Macbeth. (I,i,8)" This shows that the three witches are planning to meet with Macbeth but the reason is still unknown. The words and phrases that the witches choose to express themselves foreshadow Macbeth's plot to become king: First Witch When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lighting, or in rain? Second Witch When the hurly-burly's done, When the battle's lost and won. Third Witch That will be ere the set of sun. (I,i) Although she knows that there will be darkness, the first witch is not even sure when they should meet again. The second witch mentions the hurly-burly, or commotion, that will occur along with a battle. The third witch is sure that this time will be when the sun will shine no more. All of these statements are true when it comes to Macbeth's plans in becoming king. Evil will overcome him and allow him to murder the king. A commotion is sure to happen when news of the murder is heard. Macbeth's life will fall downhill, as the sun will shine no more on him. The witches are responsible for all these actions, as they are the ones who suggest the idea of Macbeth becoming king. Suppose that there are no witches in the play Macbeth. Is Macbeth still going to contemplate killing the king? No, the witches are fully responsible for the actions of Macbeth in him murdering the king. Although Lady Macbeth is strong and has much control over Macbeth, he considers killing the king because the witches tell him that he will one day take the throne. If Macbeth was never told that he would "be king hereafter (I,iii,53)" by the third witch, he would have never thought of assassinating the king. Lady Macbeth would not have convinced Macbeth to consider murder because she thought of this idea by reading a letter describing the witches. The witches serve to plant this idea of Macbeth becoming king and allow Lady Macbeth to reveal her evil side. A parallel can be drawn between the witches and Lady Macbeth because both speak of evil and of dark ideas. It is important that the witches are all female because it allows them to be compared to Lady Macbeth. The witches speak of nothing but darkness, curses, and destiny. Lady Macbeth summons evil spirits to take control of her: Lady Macbeth "The raven himself is hoarse That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements. Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the top-full Of direst cruelty. Make thick blood. Stop up th' access and passage to remorse, …" (I,iv,45) This shows that Lady Macbeth is calling spirits to thicken her blood and not allow remorse to get through to her. She is trying to make herself ultimately evil for she knows that this is the only way she can be convincing to her husband. In a way, Lady Macbeth is like a fourth witch because after reading her husband's letter about his meeting with the witches, she almost declares that Macbeth will become king: Lady Macbeth Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be What thou art promised. Yet I do fear thy nature; (I,iv,15) Here Lady Macbeth is stating that Macbeth will become king but she questions whether he is devious enough. Eventually, she overcomes his indecisiveness and Macbeth chooses to go through with the murder. The three witches serve as a dramatic function, allowing Lady Macbeth to show her true, evil side. Their actions cause all of the chaos that occurs throughout the play. They also set the mood of the play in the beginning, allowing the reader to know how the mood for the rest of the story will be. The witches are the most important characters as the entire plot thrives on their prediction.
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