These witches represent temptation, like the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Their language is violent with gruesome references to mutilation, ‘Gall of goat…baboon’s blood…Nose of Turk.’ They speak in riddles to Macbeth so it is possible for him to only hear what he wants to hear also adding to the mystery of their characters.
In Shakespeare’s day there was a widespread belief in the supernatural world, especially the existence of witches. The use of witchcraft would have fascinated Shakespeare’s audience in 1606 much more than the audience of today. Witches were seen as old women who had peculiar habits, for example making medicines with herbs or talking to animals, in the 21st century this would be passed as nothing but a herbal remedy and nothing of it would be classified as unnatural. The penalty in the seventeenth century for anyone caught practising witchcraft or accused of connections to the world of the abnormal were burnt at the steak. This was after King James I and his wife, Anne was involved in a storm at sea where they were both nearly shipwrecked in 1950. The ‘witches of Bevrick’ were accused and found guilty of trying to kill the king and queen by calling spirits to cast a storm at sea.
Jacobeans regarded the king and queen as chosen people from God therefore it was a sacrilege to plot against him. Satan was often accused for evil deeds as they were usually against God. This is why many religious symbols of good and evil are used throughout ‘Macbeth’. Firstly Shakespeare uses a ‘serpent’ as a biblical metaphor with Lady Macbeth. The snake is a classic stereotyped example of evil; the poisonous venom in its bite and the slits for eyes. In Act 1 Scene 2 Macbeth refers to their situation as dangerous and vulnerable, ‘We have scorched the snake, not killed it,’ another creature used in Lady Macbeth’s dialogue is the use of a raven that signals Duncan’s death. The black feathers make ravens the perfect servants of ill-omens.
Candle light is used by Lady Macbeth after Duncan’s murder. She is traumatised by guilt which is shown in her sleepwalking, a complete contrast in character from always being head-strong and confident to fearful and timid, ‘She has light by her continuously.’ This candle light gives her physical security and purity which she no longer possesses inside herself exposing her vulnerability and the weakness of her soul. Unlike the iambic pentametre, which Shakespeare used for his main characters, Lady Macbeth now speaks in prose showing she is reduced. She has reduced her stature by being involved with the murder and reduced herself to a wreck. Candle light can be interpreted as the ‘light of the world’, the good of the world. In many pictures of Christ there are hallows around his head, just as a candle gives out a glow. It is ironic how Lady Macbeth has taken part in such an evil deed and yet bears the symbol of purity and innocence. Sleepless nights are also encountered with Macbeth yet his suffering is not as dramatic as Lady Macbeths, ‘Sleep no more!’ Sleep is seen as a healer, ‘sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care..’ and all worries will be straightened out. Even the doctor mentions how sleep will immediately unease her soul, ‘..to receive at once the benefit of sleep…’ It is clear that Macbeth is deeply shaken about the state his soul, whether it will reach heaven conveying how Shakespeare believed that such evil deeds were not committed heartlessly and without regret, To know my deed, ’twere best not know myself.’
In Act 2 Scene 1 Banquo’s short soliloquy reveals that he assumes that Macbeth has become King by foul means. His main concerns are the awareness of the influence the witches have had on Macbeth and how their predictions are coming true. His comment on becoming a ‘borrower of the night’ comes true in that he will ‘borrow’ some time from the world of darkness to return and haunt Macbeth. In a similar way Macbeth has ‘borrowed’ from the dark forces of chaos and for this meddling he will have to repay the debt with his life. The imagery of clothing, ‘borrowed robes’ is carried throughout the play implying he is not himself. Just as a costume can be worn and acted in Macbeth takes the place of King, puts the crown on his head and does not realise the consequences.
Throughout Banquo’s murder scene there are many references to darkness overcoming the light, which used as a metaphor for evil overcoming goodness, just before the actual murder of Banquo ‘the West yet glimmers with streaks of day.’ Light is used as a guide for Fleance and Banquo but it breaks during the struggle for their life, ‘Who did strike out the light?’ The light of life has been extinguished in Banquo’s soul and malevolent deeds are commencing. This can also be interpreted as the last glimmer of hope for Macbeth has been struck out but Fleance lives on allowing the witches prediction to come true. Macbeth talks about ‘good things of day’ that are overcome by ‘night’s black agents.’ Banquo’s killing takes place during the ‘last streaks of day,’ all symbolising how Macbeth is being plunged deeper into darker tyranny.
William Shakespeare enhanced his plays greatly through the colourful language of his characters. In the day when they were performed, the audience were of varied intellectual levels. Some could read yet many could not and so by using such simple images of light and dark to symbolise good and evil, the themes were easily related to and understood. It allowed the people to realise what was right and wrong through symbols that were so familiar to them; religion was good and the devil was bad. Religion was an important part of the Jacobeans lives so using religious imagery in ‘Macbeth’ broadened the imagination of the audience.