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Why Are The Witches Important In Macbeth

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The second secondary characters who help advance the plot in the play, Macbeth, are the witches. The witches inform Macbeth of this three prophecies, specifically the prophecy of Macbeth becoming king. Upon Macbeth’s arrival with Banquo, the witches address Macbeth, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis! … All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! … All hail Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter.” (1.3.50-53) In regards to the prophecies, Macbeth writes to Lady Macbeth a letter indicating the prophecies and their already partial fulfilment towards the first two prophecies. He also expresses his strive of determination and hunger for Duncan’s crown to Lady Macbeth in his letter. The witches manipulate Macbeth, telling him half of the truth in the prophecies, especially in the third prophecy involving Macbeth becoming king. Without Macbeth realizing the minor fault in these prophecies, he starts to gradually become more ambitious and more determined to kill Duncan in order to become king quickly as possible. The witches advance the plot again later in the play when Macbeth demands answer of his fate. They show Macbeth three more prophecies spoken by apparition; a head wearing a battle helmet, a blood-covered child, and a child wearing a crown and carrying a tree. The witches show Macbeth the three apparitions who tell him, Beware Macduff; / Beware the thane of Fife… Be bloody, bold and resolute; laugh to scorn …show more content…

(4.1 77-78, 85-87, 100-102) Due to the newly shown prophecies for Macbeth, the witches manipulate him into believing the prophecies and make him over confident about Macbeth’s false sense of security. Eventually Macbeth, without knowing of the real truth behind the prophecies, is lead to his excruciating

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