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Witches In Macbeth

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In the prominent play Macbeth written by William Shakespeare, we are introduced to Three Witches who foresee prophesies for the main character, Macbeth. These Three Witches prophesize that Macbeth will become king and take over the Scottish kingdom. The present ruling king, King Duncan names Macbeth the thane of cawdor and shows him utmost respect. Because of this Macbeth starts to reconsider murdering King Duncan, as he knows it is the only way he will be able to fulfill the Witches prophecy. Macbeth's empathy towards King Duncan ultimately results in him not even being able to think of killing King Duncan. Lady Macbeth, Macbeth's wife is introduced as a ruthless and ambitious character who will do anything to gain power in the kingdom. After …show more content…

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both in favor of this prophecy from the Three Witches, but Macbeth knows that the only way he will become king is if he murders King Duncan. This is something Macbeth does not want to do as king duncan has done nothing but respect Macbeth as well as naming him the thane of cawdor in his honor. “We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people.” (1:7 34-36) Along with King Duncan's utmost respect towards Macbeth, he also realizes that murdering him would only give him more troubles in his current life and in the afterlife. “Upon this bank and shoal of time, we’d jump the life to come. But in these cases we still have judgment here, that we but teach bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague the' inventor” (1:7 6-10) Though Macbeth wants to become king, it's just not worth it as the many reasons for him not to murder King Duncan to become King would only lift burden upon Macbeth. Lady Macbeth has a much different opinion on Macbeth becoming king and is brewing up a ruthless ambition to make Macbeth king and take control of the …show more content…

Macbeth sends murderers after Banquo and Fleance because he's scared that he knows he killed king duncan but as Banquo gets killed Fleance gets away. After going through all this trouble to make Macbeth king, Lady Macbeth starts to deeply regret what she has done. Lady Macbeth starts to sleepwalk and is reenacting when she murdered king duncan. “Here’s the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, Oh, Oh!” (5:1 32-34) While this is happening the Gentlewoman and the Doctor are watching her as they hear of the horrors Lady Macbeth has committed. As can be heard in Lady Macbeth's words the Doctor also explains how this is happening because she feels great guilt. “Unnatural acts will cause supernatural things to happen. People with guilty and deranged minds will confess their secrets to their pillows as they sleep. This woman needs a priest more than a doctor. God forgive us all!” (5:1 49-53) Through Lady Macbeth's words it is clear that she has gone through an extreme change in motive and feelings towards the power that she has now

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