The Witches And Their Triumph

Submitted By raymcluskey
Words: 990
Pages: 4
Open Document
The Witches and Their Triumph
Macbeth is a tragedy, written by the one and only William Shakespeare. Macbeth is a prevailing protagonist that ends up in a series of unfortunate events, ultimately leading to his death. He is a big contribution to the events that occur; he’s greedy and ambitious. However there are other forces; supernatural forces that are responsible and influence Macbeth to act out the horrid deeds. They call themselves the “three witches”. Despite what others may argue the witches are responsible for the actions Macbeth sets in motion. They are manipulating, conniving, supernatural beings, that use witchcraft to create a motion picture showing Macbeth his fate in numerous parts of the play. The witches conspired to make
Macbeth turn against his loved ones. Lastly they set ideas in Macbeth’s head which led him to possess his greedy, ambitious personality; that pushed him to act out the grim crusade that abased and mortified all of Scotland.
Throughout the play there has always been a prophecy set in stone by the witches that
Macbeth must fulfill. They use their witchcraft to show him what he will soon become. In Act 1
Scene 3 Macbeth interacts with the witches for the first time, near their cave upon the heath.
Witch 1: “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!” Witch 2: “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!” Witch 3: “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” At this point in time Macbeth is a hardworking, noble man that has no intentions of doing any harm to anyone or anything. Nearer the end of the play Macbeth revisits the witches, this time he’s demanding their knowledge and ability of telling the future. Macbeth: “I conjure you by which you profess howe’er you come to know it­ answer me. Even till destruction sicken, answer me to what I ask you.” A brew is formed and the apparitions began. Second Apparition: “Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” Here the witches are telling and reassuring him of the prophecy that he can no longer back out of. His ambitions have changed and he is now a greedy, horrible king. In both of the quotes above you can see witchcraft being portrayed along with the prophecy.
Meanwhile Macbeth is spinning more and more into insanity due to the prophecy as the play moves along. He has become so obsessed with the throne and the witches that nothing else seems to matter anymore, including his own loved ones(Lady Macbeth, and his best friend Banquo). In Act 1 Scene 3 the witches also give Banquo his prophecy. Witch 1:
“Lesser than Macbeth and greater.” Witch 2: “Not so happy, yet much happier.” Witch 3: “Your descendants will be kings, even though you will not be one. So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!”
Not so much at that time but later in the play Macbeth had jealousy over Banquo and his prophecy, and had him murdered. This shows that Macbeth is willing to destroy anything that stands in the way of his prophecy. In Act 5 Scene 5 Lady Macbeth dies. Instead of grieving
Macbeth states “She should have died hereafter. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” You can now see that Macbeth has lost all effort to care about anyone but himself. The witches have drained him dry of all kind and caring qualities.
Lastly it was the witches who put the ideas in Macbeth’s head. Due to these thoughts he became greedy,
Show More

Related Documents: The Witches And Their Triumph

His Dark Materials Analysis

gobblers and the armoured bears and witch-clans of the Arctic. Finally, before reaching, perhaps, the Republic of Heaven, they must visit the Land of the Dead… Adapted from Philip Pullman’s three novels into two full-length plays, Nicholas Wright’s stage version of His Dark Materials was a triumph when it premiered at the National Theatre in 2004. This new production directed by Rachel Kavanaugh promises to be a truly exciting theatrical event. Both parts can be enjoyed alone or together…

Words 412 - Pages 2

Macbeth: Macbeth and Gruesome Tragedy Macbeth Essay examples

introduced to a gallant war hero who has just saved Scotland from traitors, by honorably serving his King on the battle field. Macbeth is described as “brave”, “valiant” and “heroic” and is admired by everyone. But once Macbeth crosses paths with the Three Witches, the seed of ambition that was already planted in his mind begins to blossom, transforming him from a brave warrior into a tyrannical murderer. This heroic and ambitious man murders his way to the top of the Scottish throne, which he then holds…

Words 1680 - Pages 7

English Assignment Essay

decisions he makes. Upon this, the aggravation developed by the influence of Lady Macbeth exposes the distinctive ambition within Macbeth. Shakespeare’s character, Macbeth is seen as the protagonist of the play. He is first mentioned by the three witches in the beginning of the play, though does not appear until Act 1 Scene 3 (Gibson, 1993). This creates anticipation of the character to the audience. Macbeth’s presence is initially met by the audience, as a brave loyal Scottish general while at…

Words 1331 - Pages 6

End Macbeth Essay

troubled man. Throughout the play, Macbeth is a character who shows extreme bravery. The reader can see his bravery through his efforts and victories on the battle field. The Captain speaks of Macbeth's bravery when he is describing Macbeth's triumph over Macdonald and his strong forces, "But all's too weak,/for brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name-/Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel/which smoked with bloody execution, /Like Valour's minion carved out his passage" . The captain…

Words 1075 - Pages 5

Cormac Mccarthyism In No Country For Old Men

McCarthy’s 2005 novel, No Country for Old Men follows the story of three characters: Anton Chigurh, Llewelyn Moss and Sheriff Ed Tom Bell. Anton Chigurh is the main antagonist and can be described as a “psychopathic killer” (McCarthy 115). Anton Chigurh kills just about everybody he comes in contact with, but at times he might give them a second chance by letting a coin toss decide their fate. He is a ruthless killer who triumphs over everybody and is even given the nickname “The invincible Mr Chigurh”…

Words 869 - Pages 4

Different Stages of Development in Macbeth Essay

next soliloquy is where Macbeth is worried about Banquo and the reign of his sons, which also adds to the rising action of the play. Before this speech the three weird sisters tell Macbeth that Banquo’s sons will reign after him if he does not do something drastic about the situation. Macbeth has in his head that Banquo is taken aside by the witches and is told the real story that his sons were to prevail the throne. Macbeth then decides that his crown means nothing and he is being deceived from the…

Words 1518 - Pages 7

Lady Macbeth Essay

guilt when doing wrong actions. Some people’s conscience falls and rises in an extreme way; Macbeth by William Shakespeare is the best example. Macbeth is an ambitious man. He is a powerful general in the king’s army, a war hero. Macbeth meets three witches, who tell him that he is “Thane of Glamis.” They predict that he will be “Thane of Cawdor” and that he shall be “King of Scotland.” Macbeth’s first conscience fall is shown when he thinks of killing King Duncan in order to have the crown. Macbeth…

Words 2468 - Pages 10

Essay on Scarlet Letter

born of her sinful mother. This "fragile beauty" is used in Pearl to remind Hester of her sin, emphasizing a nostalgic mood the envelops the story. 2 Mistress Hibbins, the governor’s sister, pokes her head out of the window to invite Hester to a witches’ gathering. The figure of Mistress Hibbins further complicates the picture of sin. As a witch participating in midnight rituals that directly invoke the “Black Man,” one would expect her to be the very embodiment of the devil. But it is possible…

Words 3876 - Pages 16

Salem Witch Trials and John Proctor Essay

Hale’s own insecurities prompt the citizen’s slow descent of reverence for him. His kindness is one of his most attractive traits, and it is why most citizens of Salem trust him. Hale was possibly the most respected man in Salem. Finally, in Act Three, Hale reaches his climax. Hale’s conscience finds him, and he begins to openly doubt the court. Reverend Hale has returned to Salem in Act IV. He feels a great deal of guilt about having contributed to the hysteria in Salem regarding the accusations…

Words 1585 - Pages 7

Ghost Research Papers

The dictionary defines ghost as being the soul or spirit of a dead person. Most people describe a ghost as something or someone that haunts a house, person or location. There are several behaviors and appearances of ghosts despite the most common being the spectral image of a full-bodied soul of a deceased person who manifests and then appears to the living in a variety of ways. A ghost's personality after death is reflective of who they were when they were alive. They are often portrayed in attics…

Words 1818 - Pages 8