William Shakespeare’s tragic play Macbeth reveals the rise and fall of the tragic hero Macbeth through the development of the drama’s main characters. Throughout the plot of the story, each character undergoes a change in his or her initial nature. Specifically, Macbeth’s most potent developed trait is his integrity, or lack thereof. In the opening acts of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a noble and loyal warrior; however, as the drama unfolds, Macbeth’s ambition gets the best of him. In fact, this ambition is the effect of evil prophecies chartered by Shakespeare’s mysterious Three Witches, otherwise known as the Weird Sisters. Not only do these creatures add suspense to the play, but they prophecy the destinies of numerous main characters throughout. Shakespeare is not the first to use the term “Weird Sisters;” in fact, the term comes from Scottish writers through which the term is used as a fanciful name for the Fates of Greek and Roman Mythology. The expression traveled to Shakespeare in its appearance in Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles (“Weird Sisters.” Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica). Although these characters do not appear as much throughout the play, the Weird Sisters are the center cause of the characters’ cynical actions, with their foreshadowing of the future, making these supernatural characters significant to the plot of the play. Thus, the Three Witches of Macbeth play an important role in the development of the drama through evil foreshadowing, supernatural connection, character development, and indirect manipulation.
Evil Foreshadowing
In the opening acts of the play, Shakespeare introduces the demonic beings of the Three Witches by means of their evil foreshadowing. Through such sinister predictions, the witches have the means to prove their importance to the play’s plot. As the plot advances, the Three Witches’ prophecies unfold in evil ways through each of the characters. For example, the witches prove their being of the backbone of the play in the first act and scene upon predicting the rise and fall of Macbeth. Leaving the audience no doubt of the witches’ vindictiveness, Shakespeare uses the witchcraft hysteria to portray the Weird Sisters throughout the play. This portrayal of cruel and murderous to reveal the witches’ direct connection to evil (Atherton). In introducing the audience to what takes place throughout the tragic hero’s life, the Weird Sisters are capable of revealing the evil behind their prophecies.
Supernatural Connection
Throughout the play, the audience becomes evident of the odd connection between the epic hero Macbeth and the supernatural Weird Sisters. In fact, throughout the opening acts, this connection is made evident before the formal, or staged, temptation. Not only is this connection seemingly close, but it is also mysterious and sinister. For example, when the Three Witches chant “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,” (Shakespeare line 10) Macbeth hears the chant in his mind via dense air. As Macbeth is not being directly spoken to, Shakespeare’s establishment of this connection happens by means of verbal echo, not dramatic confrontation. Moreover, the witches’ prophecies are heard through Macbeth in nearly every act and scene within. Despite their lack of appearance, the witches’ relevance remains in tact as Macbeth mirrors both the tone and tune of the Three Witches’ chants (Kranz). Thus proving the manner of the statements are just as significant as the meaning. The establishment of such an intimate supernatural connection suggests that the Weird Sisters are more important to the characterization of Macbeth than any other character in the play, emphasizing their significance to the Shakespearean Drama.
Moreover, the witches’ connection with the epic hero Macbeth is further revealed through the act of inhabiting of his mind. As Macbeth awaits the murder of King Duncan, he begins to experience supernatural hallucinations. Specifically, Macbeth notices a floating dagger in mid air. In fact, Shakespeare writes, “… art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?” (lines 36-38). The dagger proceeds to lead him to the room in which Duncan and his servants are asleep. After Macbeth is in the room, the floating dagger prompts him to pull the dagger from his person. Not only do the Weird Sisters directly converse with Macbeth, but they inhabit his private, personal home (Jongh). As a result, the Three Witches are capable of assisting with the murder of Duncan by means of creating hallucinations throughout the mind of the already disturbed Macbeth. A person’s home is a sacred, private place in which they are safe and at peace. Therefore, the Weird Sisters’ connection with Macbeth unfolds further and becomes more personal as they enter his home, in a mental rather than physical manner, and assist Macbeth as he commits murder.
Character Development
In the opening act of the tragic play, Macbeth was noble and far from sinister; however, the Three Witches’ way of embracing evil ambition into the hero’s character reveals an ominous and devious Macbeth. Specifically, upon hearing of the prophecy, Macbeth is distant and does not wish to hear such evil nonsense. However, as part of the prophecy begins to prove true, Macbeth grows mad for power. For example, the Weird Sisters prophecy that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor, then later king, and Banquo’s children will be the following kings. Soon after, Macbeth is titled Thane of Cawdor, leading him to believe the rest of the prophecy (“Macbeth” Merriam – Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature). With this new found fame, the character of Macbeth begins to develop more negatively with every act. As the plot advances, Macbeth divulges into a rather murderous being. In fact, in Act 2 Scene 2 the evil urgings of Lady Macbeth, his wife, unfold through Macbeth’s actions as the two successfully murder King Duncan to allow Macbeth to be crowned king, as the witches prophesied. In conversing with Lady Macbeth, Macbeth states, “I have done the deed…” (Shakespeare line 34). In this, Shakespeare is referring to the murder as the “deed.” Without the prophecy, Macbeth and his Lady would not have been compelled to commit murder. Furthermore, the noble way of gaining power in this time period would be a duel between the current leader and the person wishing to be crowned; however, the couple drunkens the king and his guards in order to murder Duncan in his sleep without a fight, proving the nobleness of Macbeth is no more, due to the Weird Sisters (“Macbeth” Merriam – Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature). Moreover, Macbeth proves his loss of nobility and integrity in the latter acts of the play as his madness for power urges him to order the murder of a former friend. In order to consolidate his power, Macbeth authorizes the murders of his friend, Banquo, after he becomes suspicious (“Macbeth.” Shakespearean Criticism). Specifically, Macbeth states, “…every minute of his being thrusts against my near’st life” (Shakespeare lines 116-117). Macbeth is no longer the noble warrior he once was, he is simply a paranoid murderer. By way of character development, the Three Witches are able to transform the tragic hero into a murderous individual with the evil ambition for power that no one can get in the way of, not even a former mentor, leader, or friend.
Indirect Manipulation
The Three Witches of Macbeth indirectly manipulate the play’s main characters by means of persuasion. Specifically, the witches indirectly control Macbeth’s actions by manipulating him into committing gruesome and murderous acts. As previously stated, the witches prophecy Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor and king. In order to gain said power, the witches establish that Macbeth must remove all competition, despite what he must do., without actually stating that he must murder his competition. Through this, the Weird Sisters successfully transform his beloved wife, as well as Macbeth himself. From the beginning of the play, the witches reveal the importance of Macbeth to their devious scheme in saying, “There to meet with Macbeth” (Shakespeare line 8). After this meeting takes place, the reader notices why Macbeth is the foundation of the evil scheme: The Three Witches are the brains, Macbeth is the muscle. Macbeth believes wholeheartedly in the prophecies and proceeds to tell his wife Lady Macbeth, who plans the murder of King Duncan for the night that he is staying at Macbeth’s castle (“Macbeth” Merriam – Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature). At this point, the witches have filled Macbeth’s lady with devious and evil ambition more than they have Macbeth himself. In fact, Macbeth would not have committed the murder without the urgings of his wife, in order to prove to be uncowardly. However, towards the end of the play, the audience becomes aware of Lady Macbeth’s guilt. After drowning in guilt at the thought of the crimes she and Macbeth had committed, Lady Macbeth kills herself (“Macbeth.” Shakespearean Criticism). By indirectly manipulating the loving couple to do their dirty work, the Three Witches indirectly deprive Macbeth of his wife without remorse. Without the supernatural beings’ prophecy, Lady Macbeth herself would not have planned unspeakable crimes in the name of promoting her husband’s power, leading to her guilt and death.
After proving each of the prophecies true, the Weird Sisters indirectly lead Macbeth to his demise. The Three Witches come to Macbeth with a second prophecy in Act 1 Scene 1 of the play. The second of the Three Witches states, “laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth,” (Shakespeare lines 90-92). After gaining trust from Macbeth and visiting him frequently, the witches become the difference makers of the play. With a false sense of invincibility given by the Three Witches, Macbeth fearlessly battles Macduff. However, Macbeth learns that the last prophecy he was given came true, proving he was doomed to die, and he was slain. The seemingly unbreakable connection proves unbreakable as the Weird Sisters secondarily engineer the death of Macbeth.
In conclusion, the Three Witches, or Weird Sisters, of the Shakespearean tragic play Macbeth play an important role in the advancement of the tragic play through various characterizations and actions. In fact, Macbeth would not be a tragedy at all without the Three Witches. At the beginning of the play, the Witches foreshadow the events that follow. For example, the Witches reveal to Macbeth that he will become the Thane of Cawdor. To his surprise, Macbeth hears the news of his promotion shortly thereafter, leaving him to believe the rest of the prophecy from the Weird Sisters: Macbeth will be king and Banquo’s children will follow suit. After hearing of this new found glory, Macbeth tells his wife Lady Macbeth; however, the couple is not aware that this prophecy is evil and will prompt them to commit numerous crimes in the name of power. First, Macbeth’s beloved wife is thrilled to plan the murder of the current King Duncan in order to solidify Macbeth’s position on the throne. Moreover, Macbeth’s connection to these demonic, supernatural beings proves intimate as Macbeth is the mirror image of the Weird Sisters’ words. In each act of the play, the Witches are seen, not physically, but through the statements made by Macbeth and the actions that follow. Specifically, in Macbeth’s home, the Witches appear as a spirit in the form of a hallucination in the mind of Macbeth. Furthermore, the connection of Macbeth and Shakespeare’s Weird Sisters, as well as the actions that follow suit amongst Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, develop their characters from noble and loyal to almost demonic and cynical. The two are compelled to commit murder more than once in hope of more power. Without the evil ambition brought forth by the Witches, the audience questions: Would the couple have murdered former friends? In actuality, the murdering of the several victims brought upon by such ambition throughout the play strategically leads to the downfall of them both. By prompting the couple to do what is indirectly asked of them, the Weird Sisters successfully arrange the death of Lady Macbeth, who kills herself due to guilt, and Macbeth, who is murdered in battle all the while believing he could not be harmed. All things considered, Shakespeare’s Weird Sisters are the foundation of the play Macbeth, creating the tragedy.
Works Cited
- Atherton, Carol. “Character Analysis: The Witches in Macbeth.” The British Library, 19 May 2017, www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/character-analysis-the-witches-in-macbeth. Accessed 6 Dec. 2018.
- Folger Shakespeare Library. “Macbeth.” Folger Digital Texts, www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/html/Mac.html. Accessed 18 Dec. 2018.
- Jongh, Nicholas de. “Witches Take over the Show.” Shakespearean Criticism, edited by Michelle Lee, vol. 128, Gale, 2010. Literature Resource Center, https://link.galegroup.com/apps /doc/H1420097061/GLS?u=avlr&sid=GLS&xid=3939da03. Accessed 6 Dec. 2018. Originally published in Evening Standard, 18 Apr. 2007.
- Kranz, David L. “The Sounds of Supernatural Soliciting in Macbeth.” Shakespearean Criticism, edited by Michelle Lee, vol. 90, Gale, 2005. Literature Resource Center, https://link.gale group.com/apps/doc/H1420067030/GLS?u=avlr&sid=GLS&xid=afd2a59b. Accessed 3 Dec. 2018. Originally published in Studies in Philology, vol. 100, no. 3, Summer 2003, pp. 346-383.
- “Macbeth.”Merriam-Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature, (c) 2002 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.,https://link.gal egroup.com/apps/doc/A1489207 72/GLS?u=avlr&sid=GLS&xid=0da03ffc. Accessed 3 Dec. 2018.
- “Macbeth.” Shakespearean Criticism, edited by Michelle Lee, vol. 100, Gale, 2006. Literature Resource Center, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/H1410001759/GLS?u=avlr&sid=G LS&xid=b9e46624. Accessed 5 Dec. 2018.
- “Weird Sisters.” Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 16 Jun. 2011. school.eb.com/levels/ high/article/Weird-Sisters/68. Accessed 3 Dec. 2018.