The Witches In Macbeth

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In the play Macbeth, the Witches play a bigger role than one might expect. The Witches are temptations of evil and with the witches’ mischief prey upon Macbeth’s ambition like puppeteers. The Witches give Macbeth numerous prophecies that are told to provoke Macbeth towards his doom. The prophecies give Macbeth thoughts of treason against the King, tells Macbeth to secure the kingdom from Banquo’s descendants, and give Macbeth the false courage that leads him to think he was invincible. If the witches’ prophecies did not guide Macbeth, his life would not have led to tragedy. When Macbeth first meets the Witches, they address him by three different names. “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to you, thane of Glamis. All hail, Macbeth! Hail to you, thane of Cawdor. All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter” (1. 3. 51-53). The three Witches tell Banquo’s future as well, saying his descendants will be kings, however, he will not. At first, Macbeth thinks nothing of the Witches babble. Coincidentally, just before Macbeth and Banquo meet the Witches, King Duncan announces to Ross that…show more content…
Lady Macbeth and Macbeth plot to kill King Duncan, however, Macbeth is still unsure if killing him would be the right choice. “We still have judgment here, that we but teach bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague th’ inventor” (1. 7. 8-10). However, with the persuasion of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth has accepted to kill the King. “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee” (2. 1. 33-34). After the deed is done and King Duncan is dead, Macbeth believes he will never be able to wash the guilt off of his hands. “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No” (2. 1. 60-61). The guilt will start to consume Macbeth’s thoughts as Macbeth forms in a sense a new soul living the innocent Macbeth behind, accepting the fate he is given and further plots of the demise of
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