The Witches As The Ultimate Puppet Master In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'
Emily Hutcheson
Mrs. Tolboom
ENG 2D1
Monday, April 15th, 2013 The Witches as the Ultimate Puppet Masters in Macbeth Controlled by three puppet masters, Macbeth is merely a marionette without any real control over his ultimate downfall. Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, tells a story of a once highly respected man that falls into the depths of darkness by abandoning his true self for power. Macbeth meets three witches that bear three prophecies, the most significant being that he will become king. When Macbeth becomes nervous about his security, he revisits the witches where he receives false reassurance that leads to his downfall. Therefore, if Macbeth had not been susceptible to the witches’ and their plot, he would not have killed his king, killed his friend and believed he was untouchable. The witches’ foretelling of Macbeth’s future promotion to king peaks his curiosity and leads to actions that ultimately results in the killing of the current king. …show more content…
Three apparitions speak to Macbeth in a dark cave after being summoned by the witches and they state, “‘Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff; … laugh to scorn / The power of man, for none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth. … Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until / Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill / Shall come against him.’” (4.1.77, 85-87, 100-102) These messages give Macbeth false security and tricks him into thinking he is invincible. His over-confidence leads him to believe his actions have no consequences and sends him spiraling out of control. Additionally, the caution to beware Macduff then prompts Macbeth to kill Macduff’s entire family as a warning to what may be ahead for him. The final contribution by the witches leads Macbeth to the man who will eventually kill him and ultimately, fulfill the witches’
Mrs. Tolboom
ENG 2D1
Monday, April 15th, 2013 The Witches as the Ultimate Puppet Masters in Macbeth Controlled by three puppet masters, Macbeth is merely a marionette without any real control over his ultimate downfall. Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, tells a story of a once highly respected man that falls into the depths of darkness by abandoning his true self for power. Macbeth meets three witches that bear three prophecies, the most significant being that he will become king. When Macbeth becomes nervous about his security, he revisits the witches where he receives false reassurance that leads to his downfall. Therefore, if Macbeth had not been susceptible to the witches’ and their plot, he would not have killed his king, killed his friend and believed he was untouchable. The witches’ foretelling of Macbeth’s future promotion to king peaks his curiosity and leads to actions that ultimately results in the killing of the current king. …show more content…
Three apparitions speak to Macbeth in a dark cave after being summoned by the witches and they state, “‘Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff; … laugh to scorn / The power of man, for none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth. … Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until / Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill / Shall come against him.’” (4.1.77, 85-87, 100-102) These messages give Macbeth false security and tricks him into thinking he is invincible. His over-confidence leads him to believe his actions have no consequences and sends him spiraling out of control. Additionally, the caution to beware Macduff then prompts Macbeth to kill Macduff’s entire family as a warning to what may be ahead for him. The final contribution by the witches leads Macbeth to the man who will eventually kill him and ultimately, fulfill the witches’