The Role of Weird Sisters in Macbeth’s Collapse In Shakespeare’s great play the Macbeth, there are lots of causes of Macbeth’s collapse. The factors of both his own personality defects and his power hungry wife Lady Macbeth contributed to downfall of Macbeth. However, The Three Witches were the most disastrous for Macbeth. Firstly, the sisters revived Macbeth’s dormant desires to be the most powerful. Secondly, their prophecies about his security were playing a vital role in Macbeth’s death. Thirdly, Macbeth thought that he would be happy someday because of the Witches’ wrong predictions. The Weird Sisters gave rise to Macbeth’s collapse by first reviving his sleeping desires to be king, also by deceiving him to feel safe and finally, by giving …show more content…
Thus, he felt that nobody can hurt him so that he thought that he is safe all the time. He was very sure about his secure until the Macduff threat. Although the Macbeth felt secure, Macduff who is not born of a woman was the only threat for him. As Jarold Ramsey states that “When he perceives that Macduff is the object of the witches' equivocation, the mortal man Fate has chosen to be its instrument against him, Macbeth gains the last and fullest fragment of tragic knowledge the dramatist grants him in this tragedy of limited and helpless knowledge”(298). On the other hand, Macbeth does not fear any mortal enemy, not even MacDuff though he is warned about him, only the unnatural. He was very confident and did not think he would fail. When the forest came to Macbeth’s castle, Malcolm’s army who camouflaged themselves with trees in order to give the appearance of forest attacked castle. In addition, Macbeth’s worry about dying affected his psychology and he became mad even he disregarded the sisters’ predictions. After the Three Witches have told the truth about his death, he did not believe. Finally, this is the reason of Macbeth’s death, because if they did not mislead Macbeth, he would not be too sure to feel completely …show more content…
Firstly, the three Witches bring to life his deep ambitions in his heart which caused him trouble but nothing. Secondly, their foretelling is the reason of Macbeth’s death because they told him that nobody could harm him. Thirdly, sisters convinced him to be happy someday if he maintains his kingship, which is too far away from the reality. The Three Sisters contribute enormously to Macbeth’s collapse. Witches are very dangerous if you believe them, as Thomas Szasz says that “In the past, men created witches: now they create mental
He believes that he can rule as a king however he wants and that no one will be able to replace him. Macbeth feels comforted and releases some of the stress and nightmares he was previously having. His newly gained comfort gives Macbeth a false sense of security that leads to Macbeth’s poor preparation to resist the English troops. Thinking that he cannot be harmed, Macbeth does not take the necessary steps to protect Scotland and his life. When he finally encounters Macduff on the battlefield, he believes it will be an easy fight as he deems himself invincible, but he is slaughtered.
The witches gave Macbeth a false sense of security because they convinced him that he would be safe from Macduff. In Scene 1 of Act 4, the witches showed Macbeth three apparitions. The first apparition was a helmeted head, which told Macbeth to beware of Macduff. The second apparition was a bloody child, which said Macbeth does not have to fear anyone born from a woman. The third apparition was a child crowned, which said Macbeth won’t be killed and shouldn’t be worried until the forest moves to his castle.
The three Witches are one of the reasons why her husband chooses to kill Macbeth. The Witches in Macbeth’s play have powers like no other. One of the powers they have is
After hearing from the prophecy from the Weird Sisters, Macbeth realizes his potential to become king of Scotland. His ambition and wife drive him to take action and kill King Duncan. “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other— (1.7.25-28)” Although Macbeth handled the murdered the of King Duncan very well, he did leave some holes in which people could figure out that he did kill Macbeth. For example he kills the guards which causes Macduff and the other
Macbeth's unwavering belief in his invulnerability deceives him of the true capabilities of his opponents, leading him to underestimate them and make reckless decisions. The quote can also highlight Macbeth's desperation to cling to power. He desperately clings to the witches' words as a source of reassurance, seeking reassurance that he is impossible to harm. However, this turns out not to be accurate as he ends up defeated by Macduff, as his overconfidence becomes his
In Susan Snyder's work, "Macbeth, a modern perspective," she presents an interesting perspective on Lady Macbeth as a fourth witch, making connections between her character and the Weird Sisters. Lady Macbeth shares certain qualities with the Weird Sisters, which supports her being a fourth witch. Similar to the witches, she possesses an ability to influence Macbeth's actions and manipulate his ambitions. Lady Macbeth's persuasive language and her determination to spur her husband to commit murder can be compared to the spells and chants of the Weird Sisters. For instance, when she implores the spirits to "unsex" her and "fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty" (1.5.41-42), she exhibits a desire for supernatural powers akin to the witches.
Supernatural elements can be seen in Macbeth through the witches and their unusual powers. The witches appear to be helpful in giving Macbeth his prophecy, but in reality want only to stir up trouble and cause strife throughout the kingdom. Although Macbeth wants the witches to tell him his prophecy, he is also afraid to act on these newly found predictions for fear of the inevitable guilt he will then have to face. Macbeth states that the witches as "Instruments of darkness" in order to explain to readers that even though the witches appear to be helping Macbeth, in reality they are causing more harm than good and creating evil thoughts within the characters minds. Macbeth’s prophecy began his desire for power, which led to his struggle with guilt.
Without the sisters, excitement would be constrained all through the story. The witches gives the reader an uncomfortable eerie feeling. Macbeth would not have known his future, notwithstanding the witches. “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” (1.1.12). The Weird Sisters love to influence the general population in the play, particularly Macbeth.
Firstly, the witches’ revelations prompted Macbeth to murder his loyal companions. When the three witches spoke of Macbeth becoming king, it sparked the idea that this could be a realistic goal. On page 13, Act I, scene iii, Third Witch created insight, "All hail, Macbeth, who will soon be King." After sharing
Macbeth’s ambition is one of the most prominent things that drive Macbeth in the play and truly becomes evident when he hears of the Witches prophecies. When the witches stop talking, he demands to know more. “Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more” (I, III, 73-74). This portrays his excessive curiosity on the subject as well as his craving for more desirable prophecies. This ambitious nature and craving for power is also demonstrated only moments after hearing the witches, when he starts formulating a plan to kill Duncan in order to make the third prophecy come true.
Is it not weird how ambition for power corrupts one corrupt and leads them to their destiny? Ambition for power is lust which tempts one to be corruptive to acquire and protect it. However, in William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, it is evident that ambition for power ultimately leads to corruption when Macbeth’s ambition for power causes the assassination of King Duncan, when Macbeth’s ambition for power compels him to execute those who obstruct his inheritance to the Scottish Throne, and finally, when Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to assassinate the people who impede his Kingship of Scotland out of lust for power. Macbeth’s ambition for power is the root cause to King Duncan’s assassination.
Have you heard of fate? Do you believe in fate? Well in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, fate plays an important role in Macbeth’s life. Fate is something that unavoidably befalls a person.
The witches played a colossal role in Macbeth’s downfall and ultimately, his death. Since the first part of the prophecy stated Macbeth as being the new Thane of Cawdor, he believed he could continue to become king as well. In knowing his prediction, Macbeth also realized that since the king was in good health, so he would have to kill the king himself. For the rest of his prophecy to come true he would have to kill the king for himself. “All hail, Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter!”
This prophecy tells Macbeth that Macduff’s intentions toward him are not good. The second apparition lures Macbeth into a false sense of security as it tells him that he cannot be harmed by anyone one born of a woman. It says “Be bloody, bold and resolute. Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” (1329)
Macbeth was working toward being the king of Scotland in the beginning after meeting the three wired sisters. And being told that he was king to be, so it inspired him to do anything that he had to to become king. It did not matter the circumstances he would do it. Even if that meant killing his best friend. He down was cause by him killing Macduff’s family.