Table of Contents
An opening
How could Macbeth have fallen?
In conclusion,
Citations
This is an introduction
The witches’ influence on Macbeth’s decisions was crucial in his destruction according to Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth”. In order to induce Macbeth into action, the witches prophesied to him. They planted the seed that would become Macbeth’s evil mind, and it grew to dominate him. Macbeth made the decisions that would determine his fate. He was not forced into killing Duncan or any other victim. Macbeth lost all sense of sanity, however, after killing Duncan. His mind was easily controlled by the witches. He was convinced he was immortal, so he continued to fight even though it meant his doom. Macbeth fell, although it was the plan of his weird sisters. However, it was Macbeth himself who led him there.
Macbeth’s downfall is attributed to Macbeth’s witches. They are the cause of chaos by natural law. They worship evil spirits and are obedient to them. They are followers of Hecate and associate with evil spirits. Macbeth is told that he will soon be the thane in Cawdor as well as the king and queen of Scotland by the witches. These prophesies are poisoned in Macbeth’s brain, making him greedy. Macbeth contemplates killing Duncan after the first promise is proved true. This is Macbeth’s first step in the path to his death, just as the witches planned.
They had succeeded in their plan. Macbeth was greedy and he made the most important decision of the play, killing Duncan. Macbeth takes this difficult decision. Although he initially decided against it, he soon realized that he could become king. Lady Macbeth and she finally reached a decision after much persuasion. Lady Macbeth would supply Duncan’s attendants liquor. Lady Macbeth would signal that Macbeth would enter Duncan’s chamber to kill him using his servant’s weapons.
Macbeth follows this path straight to his end. After Duncan’s death, Macbeth murders his servants. Macbeth claims he was raged and kills his servants to make them unable to bear witness against him. Macbeth was unable to stop his greed from taking control of him. Only one thought could have led Macbeth to corruption.
Macbeth’s sinfulness and overpowering greed make him more sinful, and he fails to make any attempt at change. This causes his conscious to be disturbed. Macbeth gradually loses his ability to maintain his sanity. Macbeth is obsessed with power and allows no one to stop his reign. After all, his reign has become his only hope. Macbeth is a deceitful and malevolent man who becomes so focused on the prophesies of the witches to Banquo, his friend, that he hires 2 men to kill Banquo. Macbeth is soon disturbed by his own ruthlessness. He has trouble sleeping, nightmares, and loses appetite. It is almost like he is going mad. Macbeth is terrified when he sees Banquo’s ghost during a banquet at his castle. Macbeth becomes angry that Macduff didn’t attend the banquet and flees England to join him. Macbeth later tells Lady Macbeth that he is in blood. Macbeth has lost hope. He regrets his past sins and feels he is no longer able to make amends.
The witches have successfully brought out Macbeth’s evil traits and are now ready to complete their plan and ensure that Macbeth falls. The witches will make Macbeth feel confident and lead him to his death with Hecate’s help. Macbeth sets out to find the witches, who are hiding in a cave. Three apparitions appear to Macbeth when he finds them. The first apparition is an armoured head with the words “Macbeth!” Macbeth! Macbeth! The second apparition warned Macbeth to be brave, determined, and to not be afraid of any human, since no one born of a woman could harm him. The third apparition reassured Macbeth that he would never be defeated unless a huge forest moved and came to fight him at Dunsinane Hill. Macbeth was confident that he was safe from harm since he believed that it was impossible for a forest to move. Macbeth would not have believed that Macduff had a supernatural birth. He also didn’t know that the English would use trees for camouflage. The false confidence Macbeth received was crucial to his final decision that led to his defeat.
Macbeth is foolishly affected by the apparitions and acts foolishly as a result. Macbeth is furious when he learns that Macduff fled to England. This only makes Macduff more determined to kill Macbeth. Macbeth realizes that the witches have deceived him and his arrogance turns to overconfidence. Macbeth is reported by a messenger to learn that Birnamwood is moving towards Dunsinane. Macbeth is now determined to fight, and orders his soldiers attack. He feels trapped while on the field. He also feels trapped. Macduff confronts Macbeth, explaining that Macbeth was actually born via caesarian sections. Macbeth has now come to terms with the deceitful witches and is certain he will die here. He refuses to take the chance of living, and he prefers to die than live in shame. Macbeth is free to choose, even though he knows he will die.
The story’s impact is hugely influenced by the manipulation of witches. They trick Macbeth into taking the crown and force him to commit suicide. Their motives for manipulating Macbeth are not entirely clear. Why would the witches convince Macbeth, then get him murdered? They might do it for fun. They seem to love disruption. The sailor who was offended by his wife ended in ‘dry as straw’. Macbeth doesn’t believe them. They believe him. Their first encounter was in a dark, menacing thunderstorm. The witches appear to be chanting and wearing wild, withered attire. They then disappear suddenly. They are supernatural and appear to be connected with a power that can’t lie. Macbeth seems skeptical at first but soon he believes the ‘innocents’ prophecies. He would like to be king and thane of Cawdor. The supernatural beings will be able to prove that the first prophecy is true. They quickly try to alter Macbeth’s fate and get him executed. They show Macbeth the’masters’ they are, who transform into striking forms that further influence Macbeth. These powerful apparitions influence Macbeth’s thoughts and make him feel invincible. He is led into a dangerous confrontation which leads to his death. Macbeth is tricked by serpent-like witches who have supernatural powers.
Conclusion In conclusion, Macbeth was free to choose his fate, but he was influenced by the prophesies of the witches. Macbeth chose Duncan’s death, killed Banquo his servants and Macduff his family and fought until his end. Macbeth chose not to kill Duncan, but he did so freely. Macbeth was not bound by any predetermined destiny, even though it seemed like he had one. He had the ability to choose to change his direction at any moment, but he didn’t have willpower.
Cites
Albright, D. (2005). Verdi’s Macbeth. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-opera-journal/article/witches-and-the-witch-verdis-macbeth/2704242606646F32616D21B3352E7488 Cambridge Opera Journal, 17(3), 225-252.
Floyd-Wilson, M. (2006). English Epicures. A recent study published in the Shakespeare Quarterly examined the relationship between Shakespeare’s works and the contemporary understanding of the English language. The study found that Shakespeare’s writing was an important influence on modern English, providing an invaluable resource for understanding how the language has changed over time. The study concluded that Shakespeare was a major contributor to the development of the English language, and that his works should be studied closely in order to gain a greater understanding of language evolution. (https://academic.oup.com/sq/article-abstract/57/2/131/5064746)
Thompson, E. H. (1993). Macbeth and King James. Studii de limbi si literature modern: studii de anglistica si americanisticai. (http://www.faculty.umb.edu/gary_zabel/Courses/Phil%20281b/Philosophy%20of%20Magic/Arcana/Witchcraft%20and%20Grimoires/macbeth.htm)
Stallybrass, P. (2013). Macbeth, witchcraft. Focus on Macbeth (pp. 189-209). Routledge. (https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315018300-14/macbeth-witchcraft-peter-stallybrass)
