Witches The Weird Sisters - 1011 Words

Have you ever dressed up as a witch or some similar creature for Halloween? Most people have a misconception of what witches really are about. Children believe that witches fly around on brooms casting spells with their wands. Most â€Å"witches† today are centered on comedy. The idea of witches, however, was formed long ago. Back in the days of Shakespeare, witches were quite different. Bubbling cauldrons. Hooded faces. Ancient, wrinkled robes. And supernatural occurrences. These things are what some theorize to be equated with witches. However, some may have been more casual. In William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, three of the main characters are witches: the Weà ¯rd Sisters. One thing that witches all share in common, they possess at least some degree of mystery. Obviously, if three women appeared and began prophesying of things to come, eyebrows would be raised and skepticism would turn its sharp gears. However, as William Shakespeare intended, the three sisters ap pear to exist solely for that reason: to prophesy about things to come. To better understand the function of the witches, they must be put under the magnifying glass and examined. Why do the witches appear to Macbeth? To give him insight to his future. They did this for Banquo as well. In Act 1, Scene 3, Macbeth and Banquo are riding along on their loyal steeds when they stumble upon the sisters. Each of the witches greet Macbeth with great respect by calling him his current title of â€Å"Thane of Glamis†, his futureShow MoreRelatedRole Of Witches In Macbeth1160 Words   |  5 PagesThe Wicked Witches of Scotland Throughout history, people have often fought over power and used it to dominate others. There are many forms of power such as physical strength, knowledge, wealth, possessions, and fear. These are simple, mundane powers that people can wield. However, in many religions and some superstitions, people believe in beings who possess supernatural powers. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth there are such beings, more specifically witches, who have many paranormal capabilitiesRead MorePower And Ambition In Macbeth746 Words   |  3 PagesMacbeth, written by William Shakespeare, captures the destructive physical and psychological effects ambition can cause on those seeking power for individual benefit. The play focuses on Macbeth, a heroic Scottish general, who encounters a trio of witches who prophesied that Macbeth will become the King of Scotland. Absorbed in ambition and motivation from his wife, Macbeth does the unthinkable for the Scottish throne – murders King Duncan. Mar king the inception of Macbeth’s murderous and immoral actionsRead MoreThe Tragedy Of Macbeth By William Shakespeare899 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"valiant† (1.2.24) and â€Å"noble† (1.2.68); however, after his encounter with the witches, his dark side starts to bubble up. As such, the Weird Sisters symbolize the ubiquitous evil that is in the world and present the theme man’s susceptibility to temptation. While the witches do play an essential role in Macbeth’s demise; ultimately, it is his choice to act upon the sinful ways. First of all, the historical significance of the witches directly relates to the time period when the play was written, and theRead More macbeth - fate or free choice Essay702 Words   |  3 Pagesbelieving the witches, or Weird Sisters. Once Macbeth starts to believe the witches, this belief facilitates his decisions to take certain actions. Macbeth’s choice to believe the witches also gives them control over him, which further illustrates how Macbeth’s destiny is fated by his choice to believe them. Throughout the play Macbeth has opportunities to stop believing in the witches, thereby choosing actions that might avoid a harmful fate. It is Macbeth’s free choice to believe the witches or not,Read More The Cause of Macbeths Destruction in William Shakespeares Macbeth1062 Words   |  5 Pagesof darkness to Macbeth? Whose actions led to Macbeths demise? The answer is threefold. The weird sisters set Macbeths fate into motion. Lady Macbeth goaded her husband towards the acts of evil that doomed him. Macbeth himself made the choices that cemented his dreadful end. The weird sisters, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth himself all served to bring about Macbeths downfall.    The weird sisters where a malevolent trio that were bent on destroying Macbeth. They initiated the series of eventsRead MoreFate : Witches Or Macbeth?1039 Words   |  5 PagesCayde Hamilton Ms. Crowe English IV 11 December 2015 Fate: Witches or Macbeth? Many people in this world would argue that every one has free will, that the choices they make will determine their path in life, but some would argue that everything comes down to fate. People who believe solely on fate believe that their future is already determined, and they can do nothing to change it. According to Oxford Dictionaries, fate is the development of events beyond a person s control, regardedRead MoreFate Vs. Free Will988 Words   |  4 Pagesfate versus free will in the the title character, Macbeth. This internal conflict is sparked and continued by the presence of the witches; three old hags whose primary purpose is presumably to serve evil. The three witches are in control of Macbeth throughout the play by incanting prophecies that ultimately remove Macbeth’s free will. Shakespeare chooses the witches to serve as the stimulant for Macbeth’s unethical downfall because of their notorious reputation. Both the author’s life and the writ ingRead MoreAnalysis of William Shakespeares Macbeth and Its Historical Background1283 Words   |  6 PagesIn this essay I am going to analyse the play and its historical background. I will also look at the factors that influenced Shakespeare when he was writing the play such as James I, the new king of England and Scotland, how he detested witches, and how Shakespeare manipulated that knowledge. Furthermore, I will be examining the character Macbeth and what his motive to murder King Duncan was, and why he committed all of his evil deeds. Moreover, I shall write about what ShakespeareRead MoreOthello, By William Shakespeare1401 Words   |  6 PagesAndrew, and Maria, resulting in the conviction of Malvolio as a madman. This same pattern can be clearly seen in Macbeth, one of Shakespeare’s most famous works. In Macbeth, the main conflict in the story is brought about through the meddling of three witches, who prophesy that Macbeth has become the thane of Cawdor and will later be crowned as the king of Scotland, positions which Macbeth had never even considered before. After having the position of thane bestowed upon him, Macbeth, totally consumedRead MoreThe Supernatural Elements Displayed in The Tragedy of Macbeth1224 Words   |  5 Pageselements: the nature, ghosts, and the witches are the most significant. People during the Renaissance were very superstitious; consequently, their connection to the events in the lives of humans was only natural for them. As a result, the weather and animals in the play react to the action of Macbeth. The night of Duncan’s death many supernatural elements began to happen. The weather turned for the worse; it was extremely violent, and the earth even shook. Weird events started occurring with the animals