Banquo clearly shows his wariness towards the witches and does not really want to believe that they really exist because he goes on to say, “That look not like the inhabitants o’ the earth”, which basically means that the witches look unnatural and there not of this world. Nevertheless, the suggestion that Macbeth is somehow acquainted with the witches is again shown when he talks to them directly without fear and asks, “speak if you can;-what are you?” this shows to an extent that Macbeth also saw the witches as being unnatural because he enquires about what they are but he does not appear to be afraid. The witches then ignore Macbeths question and tell Macbeth his prophecies which are that he’ll be Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and King hereafter. The witches prophecies give rise to the question whether they knew that he was already Thane of Glamis and the next Thane of cawdor. This adds to the mystery of the witches and provides some more evidence of the suggestion that they were well acquainted with Macbeth. After the witches have told Macbeth his prophecies, Banquo begins to ask about himself and is told by the witches that he’ll be lesser than Macbeth and yet much greater and that he’ll be not so happy and yet he’ll be much happier and that his children will be kings but he will not. I personally believe that during this time Macbeth is thinking deeply about what he is told because as soon as the witches have finished telling Banquo his prophecy, Macbeth clearly becomes inquisitive. He says to the witches “stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more”. This tells us that Macbeth has also picked up the fact that the witches are speaking equivocally because Macbeth says that their speech is imperfect. However, Macbeth asks the witches to tell him more, which suggests that he does understands the speech of the witches, reinforcing the idea that he is well-acquainted with the witches and understands them. Macbeth additionally speaks to the witches without fear and says to them forcefully “speak I charge you”. However, at this point the witches suddenly disappear, which yet again reinforces the mysteriousness of them and suggests that even Macbeth cannot control them, giving us, the audience, the impression that they are the most powerful characters of the play. Though, Macbeth does not seem it unusual that the witches have just disappeared and simply answers to Banquo “melted, as breath in the wind. Would they had stay’d”. This reply clearly indicates to us that Macbeth is more concerned with what the witches had to tell him. Macbeth then tells Banquo, “your children shall be kings”, which was the one prophecy the witches told Banquo. This further reinforces the suggestion that Macbeth fully understands the language and nature of the witches. These conversations between Macbeth and Banquo, after the witches leave, are the first signs that tell us that Macbeth is deeply interested in the prophecies of the witches and what they had to say. The point at which Macbeth really begins to believe the witches prophecies and everything they believe is when Ross tells Macbeth that he has become the new Thane of Cawdor. However, Banquo is prepared to say that the witches are evil, which suggests that he is good character because the witches were seen as evil and anyone thinking otherwise would be seen as being evil. We know that Banquo sees the witches as being evil because he calls them “the devil”. Macbeth immediately asks Banquo whether he hopes his children will be kings, which implies to us that Macbeth clearly trusts the witches fully, however Banquo is much more wary and knows the evil nature of the witches and so refuses to believe Macbeth. Then Banquo says “look how are partners wrapt”. This shows Macbeth is ‘wrapt’ in thought after the witches have predicted he will be king hereafter. Additionally Banquo warns Macbeth that the witches may be deceiving him in this scene by saying “but ‘tis strange, and often times, to win us harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths; win us with honest trifles, to betray’s in deepest consequence”. Then Macbeth goes onto say that he is already having images of murder by saying “whose horrid image doth unfix my hair, and make my seated heart knock at my ribs, against the use of nature? Present fears are less than horrible imaginings: my thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical”, this clearly indicates that the witches have implanted a seed in Macbeths mind. Then Banquo says how Macbeth looks so confused. And aside, Macbeth says if the witches say I’ll be king then why do I have to do anything, I’ll just wait. Macbeth is here showing signs that he is being reasonable. Macbeth then goes on to say that he’ll discuss these prophecies and witches later with Banquo. Additionally the witches know Macbeths ambition to become king by violent means, urged on by Lady Macbeth Act 1 Scene 7. Also there is no evidence that Macbeth knows the witches or has met them before, he sees them in this scene and others. This ends Act 1 Scene 3.
I shall now look at Act 4 Scene 1. This is the scene were the witches show up. In this scene Macbeth is now crowned the king after murdering King Duncan and King Duncan’s sons have fled. Macbeth has also told assassins to murder his best of comrades Banquo. Additionally in this scene Macbeth is planning murder without a conscience towards the end of act 4 as he kills Macduffs wife and children. Macbeth is determined to do this after he has met the witches. This scene starts off in a cavern and the witches are brewing a potion in a boiling cauldron. Yet again the witches enter in thunder, which tells us, the audience that when thunder occurs the witches presence is inevitable.
The witches are making a potion at this precise moment of the play and are putting animals into the stew such as ‘brinded cat’ and ‘hedge-pig’. Then the third witch says “Harpier cries, tis time, tis time.” This basically means that the witches demons are calling the witches and now the time has come. Then the first witch applies guts, toads and poison to the potion and together the witches say a spell. Again, this time the second witch adds a snake, eye of newt, toe of frog, wool of bat, tongue of dog, tongue of snake, small snakes sting, lizards leg and finally a baby owls wing to the potion. Again the witches cast another spell. Then the third witch adds a scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, throat and stomach of shark, root of hemlock (drug), liver of Jew, nose of Turk and tartars lips, finger of new born baby that has died, a prostitute and finally a tiger’s stomach to the potion. Then again all the witches cast a spell on the potion. Then enters an evil spirit named ‘Hecate’. Hecate praises the witches. Then the second witch says abruptly “open locks whoever knocks”. This again implies the mysteriousness of the witches. They know that Macbeth’s arrival is imminent. Macbeth enters the dark cavern and insults and abuses the witches. Macbeth clearly shows no fear for the witches by saying “you secret, black and midnight hags, what is’t you do”. This does show some comparison between Macbeth and Banquo (now dead), and is now showing courage and bravery and also showing signs of desperation. Then all the witches reply together “a deed without a name”. This shows that this deed is extremely evil and its name is beyond evil. Macbeth shows his ignorance by asking the witches about the future and what prospects hold for him. The witches then say would you like us to say your future or their masters. Macbeth replies with ignorance he wants to see their masters. Then the first witch applies a pig that has eaten its offspring and sweat from a murderer before he is hung. Then in thunder comes the first apparition, which is a head of someone. Macbeth then says tell me of you’re unknown power and then the apparition says “Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff; Beware the Thane of Fife. Dismiss me enough”. The apparition is basically telling Macbeth beware of Macduff. Macbeth then replies that you’ve put you’re finger on the main point that Macbeth was thinking about. Then a second apparition appears, this time a bloody child. The apparition then says Macbeths name three times. Next Macbeth says that he can’t hear the apparition and had he had three ears he would. Then the apparition says “Be bloody, bold and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man, for no of women born shall harm Macbeth”. This basically means Macbeth should be alert at all times and a person that is not born of women shall harm Macbeth. Macbeth then says that let Macduff live and says that he does not fear him, but will still make assurance of Macduff. Macbeth continues to say that he’ll make sure Macduff is killed and is relieved that he’ll sleep again. His tortured mind has not allowed him to sleep.
Then appears another apparition, a child crowned, with a tree in his hand. Macbeth replies he can’t believe what he is saying and the apparition goes on to say “Be lion hearted, proud; and take no care who chafes, who frets, or where conspires are: Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him.” this basically means that Macbeth should fear no one but should be in fear when Birnam wood comes to his castle. Macbeth takes all of these signs from the apparitions to think he is invincible. He then replies that that will never be true and that trees walking towards his castle is virtually impossible. Then Macbeth asks the witches will Banquo’s son ever reign over his kingdom. Then the witches say they’ll not answer his question. Macbeth then replies to this that he is to curse the witches and he demands to know more. Macbeth then says about the sound coming from the cauldron and what are they. The witches then all say ‘show!’, and the witches then depart. Then in the cauldron is eight kings, the last with a glass in his hand and the ghost of Banquo follows this. Macbeth then says that all the kings look the same, like Banquo and Macbeths goes on to say he can watch no further and abuses the witches by saying ‘filthy hags’. Then Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and Banquo is smiling and is pointing at Macbeth and the three witches. Then all the apparitions disappear and appear the witches. The first witch then says this is all true and she says why does Macbeth stand shocked and she says that she’ll cheer Macbeth up and that there duties are complete. Then enters Lennox and says what’s wrong and Macbeth then says did you see the witches. Lennox replies no. then Macbeth says “infected be the air whereon they ride; and damn’d all those that trust them! I did hear the galloping of horse: who was’t came by?” this shows great irony because he increasingly trusts them, and Macbeth is now damned and he doesn’t know what he is any more. Lennox replies to Macbeth that the galloping of horses was Macduff fleeing to England. Macbeth becomes shocked and goes on to say that basically Macduff has fled before his death and that Macbeth will do whatever he thinks and says he will kill Macduff’s family. He then goes on to say that he is still horrified by the witches images. Basically here the witches are ending Macbeths reign as King. This ends Act 4 Scene 1.
I will now look at Act 5 Scene 7 line 19 to 22. This is were Macbeth is near death and fighting Macduff and Macbeth finds out Macduff is not of women born. Macbeth goes on to say “And be these juggling fiends no more believ’d that palter with us in a double sense, that keep the word of promise to out ear and break it to our hope. I’ll fight not with thee.” This is basically saying that the witches keep to a promise but that promise has double meanings and Macbeth has been tricked. This, as an audience, takes us straight back to Act 4 Scene 1.
Conclusively the witches were the main cause of Macbeths reign as king, his downfall, and death. The witches controlled him from when they first met and since then Macbeth wanted to know more. This showed his overall stubbornness and ignorance. Witchcraft plays a major part in Macbeth’s actions and his weak character is easily manipulated. Although being an honest and brave man earlier, his ambition clouds his judgement. His life is tragic and through some terrible deeds ends in catastrophe.
This concludes my essay.