What is the dramatic impact of the witches in

Authors Avatar

What is the dramatic impact of the witches in “Macbeth” and how significant is the element of the supernatural?

From the very first scene it is clear that the witches will have a powerful part in the play. They meet in stormy weather and speak of thunder, lightning, fog and filthy air, all this conjures up images of evil and supernatural powers being at the centre of this play. The first ‘powerful’ lines in the play- 'Fair is foul and foul is fair' (A1, Sc1, Ln12) seem to contradict each other, how ever they sum up the play very well in showing that what is good is evil and what is evil is good, e.g. Macbeth is a Scottish nobleman, trusted by King and country and yet he kills his King and one of closest friends (Banquo) to claim the throne. When Macbeth’s first line is echoing the same words 'So foul and fair a day I have not seen.’ (A1, Sc2, Ln38) you see how deeply the link between Macbeth and the witches go. This echo introduces the idea of a prophecy of evil entwined with good.

Join now!

At first when the witch speak to Macbeth he seems amazed and ‘rapt withal’ (A1, Sc 3, Ln57). But when they go to leave he says 'Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more.' (A1, Sc3, Ln70) it makes you wonder whether he's already thought about what they are saying about being king. The witches seem to know that Macbeth already wants to become King and that he will become Thane of Cawdor.

Macbeth and the witches seem unnaturally close and act with one mind, but the witches have the overall control. From now on in the play Macbeth is under ...

This is a preview of the whole essay