The Role of Witches in Macbeth

There are three witches introduced in the beginning of Macbeth. They are there to foretell to Macbeth three prophecies. The prophecies are Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glams and King. These prophecies help to boost up Macbeth's head. The eventually to causes Macbeth to kill king Duncan. The prophecies bring the idea of fate into the play.

The witches had the ability to foreshadow the future. Although they could only tell the future they couldn't control it. This causes Macbeth to create his own destiny. The three Witches are only responsible for the introduction of these ideas and for further forming ideas in Macbeth head, but they are not responsible for his actions throughout the play. Lady Macbeth is shown early in the play as an influence over Macbeth, not the witches. Lady Macbeth had the power to manipulate Macbeth into doing whatever it is that she wanted. This is shown in the line "That I may pour my spirits in thine ear". (Act I, Scene V, 26). Before Lady Macbeth gives the speech in act one scene five, Macbeth doesn't want to go through with the killing of the king. Lady Macbeth knows that she has the power and acts on it. Although Macbeth has the final say in whether or not to go through with the initial killing, he loves Lady Macbeth and wants to make her happy.

Ambition plays a large role in this tragedy. Macbeth's ambition is present before the witch's prophesies. Macbeth would never have thought seriously about killing Duncan without the witches. But with the combination of his wife, his ambitious nature, and the initial prophecies he is led to kill the king. Lady Macbeth says "Thou wouldst be great/ Art not without ambition." Macbeth states that it is "his besetting sin: I have no spur/ To prick the sides of my intent, but only/ Vaulting ambition." Macbeth's continued ambition is present in his wanting to have a succession of kings after him. Macbeth's ambition is deep within him and because of this, both the witches and Lady Macbeth are able to sway him to evil. It is this ambition that gets him into so much trouble initially.

Everyone is responsible for his own destiny. Macbeth chooses to take the greedy route and be influenced by the witches. They are the ones who fill his head with nonsense of becoming all-powerful and mighty. They had a major role in the development of Macbeth's character.