Discuss the Role of the Witches in Macbeth

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Discuss the Role of the Witches in Macbeth 04/05/10

Introduction

        The witches are used to make an evil genre to the play. The witches represent chaos, conflict and darkness, which are features of tragedy also the witches are called the ‘Wyrd Sister’. They are also witness and agents to Macbeth’s downfall, if Macbeth hadn’t believe them, he might not have killed Duncan. The witches had supernatural powers like controlling the weather, due to the fact every time the witches are present in the scene there is always thunder or lightening which creates a spooky atmosphere. The ‘Wyrd Sisters’ can see the future, like when they tell Macbeth that he will be “Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and The king.”

        The play begins with three witches meeting in a ‘desolate place’. They agree to gather again when the battle is over and meet Macbeth. They seem to know the future and chant strange words, creating a very spooky atmosphere. Their presence in the first scene creates an evil atmosphere there is thunder and lightening. Shakespeare use pathetic phallacy to enhance the sense of evil, the witches create. Shakespeare uses rhyming couplets like, “hurly and burly”. They use rhyming couplets in this giving a rhyming effect.

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        In Act 1 Scene 3, Shakespeare once again presents the witches as ‘instrument of darkness’ by having them discuss the mischief and evil they have created, which tells the audience that Scene 3 the witches are present in a abandoned place called ‘The Heath’ also there is thunder which are all instrument of darkness. When Banquo see the witches he say, “So withered and so wild in their attire”. This shows the witches look so ugly because Banquo asks them are you from earth.

         The ‘Wyrd Sisters’ plant a seed in Macbeth head by saying “Hail to thee Thane of ...

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There are some issues with spelling and grammar, that need to be looked at, some sentences are worded badly and needed to be altered, particularly in the first paragraph. I feel that the essay doesn't really flow, it's more of a jumble of thoughts held loosely together.

I feel that the opening sentence could be stronger by talking about the essence of evil the witches bring and how Shakespeare sets the scene, what about the setting makes you think of evil? Although the candidate has used quotes to try and back up their opinions, they are using quotations to retell the story rather than to analyse it. There are times where quotations are used effectively and the character's thoughts and feelings are discussed, this is done well, (such as in the beginning of the fifth paragraph) but just not often enough through out the essay. There is a paragraph where the use of linguistic terms are analysed, however this doesn't flow with the essay and I feel it could be done more effectively, if broken down and mentioned in smaller pieces throughout the essay rather than a huge chunk in the middle.

There are some really good ideas such as the darkness and evil portrayed by witches, and how they seem to have magical powers. However there is some repetition and the essay doesn't really flow, the candidate's thoughts seem to be a little jumbled. At times they just retell parts of the story without discussion to its significance. I would recommend that these ideas are organised perhaps by going through the play from the beginning, and talking about the different scenes in which the witches appear in sequence.