*added more to paragraph 4
Macbeth written by Shakespeare displays the tragic and inevitable collapse of a virtuous and noble Macbeth. The eventual downfall and destruction of Macbeth is not just result of his own choices and actions, but is a direct result of the witches’ misguiding visions. The witches plagued Macbeth with questionable prophecies, incomplete apparitions, and destroyed him with their malicious and wicked powers. The witches are clearly one of the major reasons for Macbeth’s ruin.
In the beginning of the play, the witches greeted Macbeth with the lines, “All hail Macbeth, the future King.” (1.1, 53) They prophesied that Macbeth will ultimately become the King. This not only fueled him with false hopes, but led him into being driven by ruthless ambition. Shortly after hearing the prophecies, Macbeth’s dialogue clearly displayed his vaulting ambition. He stated that “to prick the sides of [his] intent, but only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself.” (1.7, 26-29) This dialogue indicates that the only thing motivating him is ambition, which makes people rush ahead of themselves towards disaster. This highlights the fact that the witches’ prophecies have flooded Macbeth with ambition and false hopes. The prophecies had an immediate impact on Macbeth as he later stated that “[his] thought, whose murder yet is fantastical, shakes so [his] single state of man.” (1.3, 150-158) In this line, Macbeth is realizing that the mere thought of murder confuses him to an extent where he doesn’t know who he is anymore. His ability to act is stifled by thoughts and speculations. Clearly, the witches’ optimistic, yet misleading prophecies had an immediate impact on Macbeth. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth was characterized as a loyal and valiant character. His bravery and courage was so evident that King Duncan decided that he was worthy of becoming the Thane of Cawdor. Upon hearing the prophecies, Macbeth’s character changes drastically. The witches’ prophecies are clearly to be blamed for his actions. According to an English scholar, “the witches in Macbeth are important because they provide Macbeth’s call to action. Macbeth is presented as a loyal warrior, a hero who fights valiantly on the battlefield to defend his country against invasion and treachery. Yet the association between Macbeth and the Witches introduces a different side to his character.” Not only that, but psychologists believe that others’ influence our behavior directly through speech. These two sources clearly prove the point that the witches’ prophecies had a direct impact on Macbeth’s actions.
The three witches were the reason behind Macbeth’s destruction and death. The second apparition that they presented Macbeth with reinforced the idea that “none of woman borne” shall ever harm Macbeth. This apparition renewed Macbeth’s confidence and gave him the strength to continue doing evil. However, this apparition was misleading because Macduff was apparently not born of a woman. Macbeth was certain that he will continue his reign as King and set out to fight Macduff alone. He made this decision because of his certainty that no one can harm him. Surely, Macduff killed Macbeth. However, Macbeth could have actually survived had he not been presented with those apparitions in the first place. He could have been more cautious and taken precautions to avoid his death. It was his certainty and trust in the witches’ visions that resulted in his death. In response to the third apparition, Macbeth said “who can impress the forest, bid the tree/ unfix his earthbound root? Rebellious dead, rise never till the wood of Birnam rise.” (4.1, 100-105). This clearly illustrates Macbeth’s assurance in the apparitions as he thinks that his murders will never come back to haunt him. Clearly, the witches are at fault for Macbeth’s choices and even death as they presented him with apparitions that led to his death. He was given false assurance and confidence which directly influenced his choices. The witches are at clear fault for Macbeth’s fate.
The witches’ evil and malicious powers destroyed Macbeth; their quotes represented evil and they had a significant impact on Macbeth’s actions. Their supernatural powers were evident in Act 3, Scene 5. Hecate stated that “He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear/ His hopes ‘bove wisdom, grace, and fear. And you all know, security/ Is mortals’ chiefest enemy.” (3.4, 30-34) Hecate is stating that Macbeth will be fooled into thinking he is greater than fate, he will mock death, and he will think he is above wisdom, grace, and fear. Ironically, after this scene, Macbeth’s life worsens. He gets into deeper trouble and faces more difficulties. It is quite evident that Hecate and the witches have supernatural powers that allow Macbeth to face critical and unfortunate circumstances. There is more compelling evidence to prove that the witches did in fact have super powers. In the Elizabethan era, it was legal to kill individuals who were suspected of witchcraft because of the Witchcraft Act passed in 1563, which set out steps to take against witches who used spirits to kill people. King James I became king in 1603. He was particularly superstitious about witches and even wrote a book on the subject. Shakespeare wrote Macbeth especially to appeal to James – it has witches and is set in Scotland, where he was already king. The three witches in Macbeth manipulate the characters into disaster, and cast spells to destroy lives. Elizabethans thought fairies played tricks on innocent people – just as they do in the play. When Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1606, then, he knew that his audience would have felt a mixture of fear and fascination for the three ‘weird sisters’. Shakespeare’s inspiration for the three witches comes directly from their evilness and it is quite evident that he intended to present the witches as if they had supernatural powers. This proves the fact that the witches did in fact influence Macbeth’s choices and decisions through their supernatural powers. Not only that but researchers believe that witchcraft is real. “The concept of witchcraft and the belief in its existence have persisted throughout recorded history. They have been present or central at various times and in many diverse forms among cultures and religions worldwide, including both “primitive” and “highly advanced” cultures, and continue to have an important role in many cultures today.” This is immense evidence that proves the existence of witchcraft and its affects.
The witches’ influence over Macbeth’s decisions and choices is apparent. Their prophecies, apparitions, and supernatural powers contributed immensely to Macbeth’s destruction. It is quite undeniable that their influence led to Macbeth’s undoing.
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