Explain the Importance of the Influence of the Witches Essay Example

one another.

Shakespeare employs the technique of pathetic fallacy through these supernatural happenings to illustrate the notion that Scotland is ailing because of Macbeth's assassination of the king, which disrupts the Elizabethan hierarchy. Malcolm's words, "It [Scotland] weeps, it bleeds; and each new day a gash/ Is added to her wounds," further emphasize this concept of a suffering Scotland through personification. This concept is not only intriguing, but it would have also pleased Shakespeare's royal audience.

The Witches and other supernatural elements play a significant role in creating suspense. When the Witches greet Macbeth with the prophecies "All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! / All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!", it can be argued that these prophecies act as the catalyst for Macbeth's ambitious desires. The fact that Macbeth quickly receives the title Thane of Cawdor after the Witches' predictions makes him question whether their "supernatural soliciting" may indeed come true.

The main point of interest for the audience is the exploration of an idea, specifically presented through Macbeth's soliloquies. The question arises as to whether Macbeth will succumb to the disturbing thoughts that unsettle him. Lady Macbeth, in Act I, scene vii, plays a significant role in convincing him to commit the act. She uses rhetorical questions, such as "We fail?", leaving the theater audience wondering if she would have been as persuasive without her request for supernatural aid: "Come you spirits/ That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here".

Incorporating spiritual cruelty, she has distanced herself from her feminine side. The supernatural elements in the play highlight the theme of good versus evil. As the play progresses,

the Apparitions manipulate Macbeth with equivocation, making him excessively confident in defeating the righteous forces attacking his castle.

He has been informed that Macbeth will not be defeated until Great Birnam wood comes against him. This makes him feel unstoppable until the invading soldiers use tree branches to conceal their numbers. Likewise, the double meaning of the words spoken by the Apparition, stating that Macbeth cannot be harmed by anyone born of a woman, is revealed at the peak of the play when MacDuff, filled with revenge for his murdered family, discloses that he was born through a cesarean section.

The fight between Macbeth and Macduff gains an additional dimension for the audience as Macduff is delivered by a male doctor during a caesarean section. Macbeth is aware that he has been deceived by the witches and their supernatural allies. However, in line with the characteristics of a tragic hero, he chooses not to surrender and engages in a visually stunning battle until his demise.

However, what truly captivates the audience is the journey leading up to the ultimate battle of good versus evil, order versus chaos. The Witches and other supernatural elements provide a great deal of entertainment on stage. In fact, it is believed that another playwright inserted scenes like Act IV, Scene I, where the Witches use powerful and rhythmic language, including the famous quote "Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble," to further engage the audience.

The hallucination of a dagger during Macbeth’s soliloquy before killing Duncan and Banquo’s ghost in Macbeth’s chair at the banquet would captivate an Elizabethan audience who relied on their imaginations to understand

Shakespeare’s words. Lady Macbeth's frantic handwashing to remove the "damned spot" would also hold significance for this audience as a red spot on the hands was considered a sign of witchcraft.

Without the influence of the Witches and the supernatural, it could be argued that Macbeth would not have committed the terrible crimes that led to his downfall. Additionally, Shakespeare's audiences would not have experienced such an visually captivating and dramatically intense play. Although James I later changed his views on Witches and the supernatural, countless audiences afterwards have been able to temporarily set aside their disbelief in these elements and enjoy a significantly more impactful and enjoyable play.