Control In Macbeth

The witches have a massive presence in William Shakespeare's iconic tragedy, Macbeth. Their prophetic speeches the witches tell Macbeth throughout the play raise questions: Did the witches cause Macbeth's downfall, or were they simply manipulating Macbeth and had no real control in Macbeth? While initially, it may appear that the witches had no real control in Macbeth, but their words and actions display a different truth. Additionally, the prophecies act as triggers for Macbeth’s dormant ambition causing him to commit crimes. Furthermore, the witches operate behind the chaos, manipulating Macbeth and driving him down into making the wrong choices. However, it is important to note that Macbeth could have averted his tragic fate if he resisted

One instance occurs in Act 1, scene 3, when the witches first meet Macbeth, saying "All Hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! Hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter". The prophecies promise him a wonderful future, filled with titles which he will "earn" and the glorious life he was going to live. Allured by the promise of success, Macbeth is consumed by his ambition. Blinded by the prophecies, he fails to realise the atrocities he’ll do, including the murder of the king and his friend, in a pursuit of power. Another case which we see is in Act 1, Scene 3, where prophecies further corrupt Macbeth, the witches tell Banquo: "Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none". Although this prophecy was directed at Banquo, Macbeth realises that his friend might become a threat to his rule, therefore killing Banquo. The prophecies plant seeds of corruption in Macbeth's mind and amplify the dormant lust for power within him. This leads him to commit horrific

The witches' supernatural abilities allow them to create hallucinations that only Macbeth can see, influencing his thoughts and actions such as corrupting his mind to the point where he kills Macduff’s family as a threat. One scene where we see the influence of the hallucinations created by the witches is in Act 2, Scene 1, just before Macbeth kills the king, he sees a dagger and says: "Is this a dagger that I see before me, the hilt to my hand?” The floating dagger that Macbeth further encourages his corrupted mind to commit the atrocity, pointing him in the direction of the king’s room. The prophecies have not only affected him, but also his wife. Lady Macbeth upon hearing about the prophecies, causes her to become corrupted. This was an offer which Lady Macbeth could not give up, as she would gain immense authority. Lady Macbeth guilt-trips her husband multiple times, an occurrence of this is in Act 1, Scene 7, where Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth: "What beast was't then, that made you break this enterprise to me? Did then adhere, and yet you would make both". This quote is one of many where Lady Macbeth gaslights Macbeth into submission. The influence the witches have on Macbeth is massive, they exploit Macbeth's vulnerability and corrupt those around