What do you consider to be the importance of witches in Macbeth Essay

What do you consider to be the importance of witches in Macbeth - Essay Example Their very presence offers a comparison between good and evil, natural & the supernatural, contrasting morality with Macbeth's ambition. It empowers Shakespeare to not only single out Macbeth's weak trait, but also stresses on these human flaws, which at certain times becomes a thin layer of difference between humanity and supernatural powers. Time element plays a dubious role because the "weird sisters" do not tell Macbeth what time he would become king; they predict such a happening in future but without specifying the time of his becoming the king. Therefore, their foretelling negates time. The impact of this negation of time element might indicate that the witches’ foretelling is a puzzle to be solved, and that the impact it has on Macbeth, leads him rather from listening to taking action. It derives then that the notion of the witches and their extra-ordinary abilities, are conspiring Macbeth's mind; he is instigated to fulfil his desires. It offers an evaluation of his p sychological state and feeling of humanity, knocking at Macbeth's human instinct. The presence of witches creates an element of uncertainty in the character of Macbeth. His state of mind remains unstable to the extent of further deterioration throughout the play. Audience reacts by studying Macbeth’s state of mind.... That’s the reason behind Shakespeare making extensive use of the â€Å"weird sisters†, bringing about a transformation in the character of Macbeth, as he murders King Duncan and his so-called best friend, Banquo. The clear purpose of Shakespeare's inclusion of the witches and their wicked ways was to create element of horror for his 17th century spectators (Aimee par. 5). Comparing present-day spectators of Shakespeare’s Macbeth with Shakespeare’s audience, one does not feel that emotional reactions to the appearance of ghostly figures would be the same. Modern spectators have gone through different and varied experiences and do not relate themselves with fearful expressions; rather they may take such appearances funny way. Portrayal of witches in Shakespeare’s times was inhuman. â€Å"You should be women; and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so† indicates that the witches are neither masculine nor feminine. Shakespeare has given a totally distinct image of the witches. Perhaps, he wanted to give a message that human beings blamed for being witches were falsely implicated, as witches looked abnormal and inhuman in appearances (Aimee par. 6). Shakespeare has given a different colouring to his presentation of witches, alluding them to human desires, suggesting them to be the inside presence of evil in Macbeth and human beings. It is the personal decision of each human being to bend before the evil inside or not. It also indicates that witches are just representations of one’s own mind’s evil, as it is weaved in Macbeth’s mind; actually, these are the spiritual framings of his inner desires (Aimee par. 7). Witches succeed in instigating Macbeth to the extent that