How Did The Witches Influence Macbeth

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When first introduced to Macbeth, the witches give off an unearthly aura and are portrayed as such. Banquo describes the witches as “[…] That look not like the inhabitants ó the earth […] Upon her skinny lips lips: you should be women, and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so” (1.3.40 – 49). This immediately sets a dark and ominous tone before the witches reveal the prophecy which sets the play in motion: “All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter.” (1.3.53). One could argue that this prophecy is what influenced Macbeth to commit his evil actions, however, that claim holds no merit. The prophecy merely states that in the unforeseeable future, Macbeth will become king. In no way did the witches suggest that the only way