Power And Influence In Macbeth

The power to influence is not limited to a physical being, although is, in my opinion, the factor to which holds the most influence in this instance. In Shakespeare’s drama, The Tragedy of Macbeth, many things play a role in the way and manner some characters act. Throughout the play, the Witches hold the most power to influence the actions of others because even though their lack of lines, they still change the story quite exponentially and they are feared because of their mysterious magic and sorcery. The Witches don’t have a lot of scenes or lines in the play, but with the ones they do have, it changes the course of the story completely, which shows their level of power. In the text it says, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (Shakespeare I.i.50). This shows that because of the witches stating this prophecy of Macbeth becoming king, it drives Macbeth to murder King Duncan because of his curiosity, which ultimately becomes one of the biggest things Macbeth has done. Another instance in the text says, “Be bloody, bold and resolute. Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth” (IV.i.79-80). This reveals that

In the text it says, “Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life and live a coward in thine own esteem, letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would” like the poor cat I’ th’ adage?” (I.iiv.42-45). This shows that Lady Macbeth tries to manipulate Macbeth into going through with killing King Duncan by comparing him to a cat who wouldn’t catch fish because it feared wet feet. And when Macbeth does end up killing Duncan, it is one of the most important events in the play. However, the Witches still hold the most influence because without their prophecy stating that Macbeth would be king, they would have never had a need to murder Kind Duncan. The text says,