Although Macbeth by William Shakespeare was written in 1605, it is set in 11th century Scotland, with the character of Macbeth stemming from the historical figure who killed King Duncan in battle and overtook the throne. Throughout the play, Macbeth’s fate relies on prophecies of the three witches, whom he describes as “secret, black, and midnight hags” (IV, i, 48). He trusts their visions, and demands information from them as the plot advances, even though more clear headed and perceptive Banquo is initially reluctant to believe a word they say. Whilst both the Middle Ages and Macbeth’s story progress, belief in and fear of witches grows, and the supernatural beings become infamous attributes of society. Before the 13th century, witchcraft was associated with healing …show more content…
Referring to the fact that one of their predictions did become true, he says that “oftentimes, to win us to our harm / The instruments of darkness tell us truths, / Win us with honest trifles, to betray ‘s / In deepest consequence” (I, iii, 135). Although overcome with ambition already, Macbeth does also stop to consider the witches’ motives for their revelations to him, and wonders if they could have a negative effect, stating that “This supernatural soliciting / Cannot be ill, cannot be good….If good, why do I yield to that suggestion / Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair / and make my seated heart knock at my ribs, / Against the use of nature?” (I, iii, 143). By the end of the play however, the witches have won him over, and assured him of his strength and immortality, driving him to insanity and unleashing a chain of harmful actions. “From this moment / The very firstlings of my heart shall be / The firstlings of my hand” (IV, i, 166), he resolves, before heading off to brutally murder Macduff’s