Discuss the role of the witches in the play ‘Macbeth’ by

The witches play a significant part in the play ‘Macbeth.’ At the time when the play was written, there was witch-mania in Britain. King James 1st was also very interested in witches and witchcraft and he even wrote a book about it. These may have influenced Shakespeare into writing a play about the supernatural. The witches play a vital part in the storyline and plot of the play, enhancing it in many different ways and creating a moral in the story. The witches can also appeal to a modern day audience.

The play ‘Macbeth’ reflects many Elizabethan beliefs about witches and witchcraft. For instance, they believed that witches could raise evil spirits by concocting a brew from disgusting ingredients. This is shown in the first scene of Act 4 where the witches are making a ‘hell-broth’ to conjure up apparitions for Macbeth. They include repulsive ingredients such as, ‘Liver of blaspheming Jew,’ ‘Nose of Turk,’ and ‘Tongue of dog.’ The fact that they call it a ‘hell-broth’ reflects the Elizabetha

These words mean that Lady Macbeth wants the spirits to take away everything that might make her change her mind of committing the crime. To ‘unsex’ means to take everything away from her that makes her a woman, for example, emotion. If she had emotion like most women do, she would not be able to go ahead with this terrible sin.

n belief that these potions were linked to the Devil; the witches also represent the Devil.

The third apparition, ‘a child crowned, with a tree in his hand,’ shows the King’s son, Malcolm. The witches tell Macbeth to listen but not speak. The words of the third apparition are;

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