Why Are The Witches Important In Macbeth

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Finally, the witches in Macbeth play a pivotal role in the advancement of the plot as they spark Macbeth’s thought to murder Duncan and they intensify Macbeth’s ambition and overconfidence. The three witches bring about Macbeth’s inclination to murder Duncan as they prophesize that Macbeth will be “future king.” Bearing this prophecy in mind, Macbeth immediately thinks to himself, “If good, why do I yield to that suggestion/ Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/ And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,/ Against the use of nature?” (1.3.143-145). Macbeth begins to devise ways of fulfilling the witches’ prophecy and eventually arrives to the idea of overthrowing Duncan. Furthermore, the witches advance the plot as they intensify Macbeth’s ambition by leaving Macbeth power-hungry. The witches foresee Macbeth’s future as king which …show more content…
Finally, the witches advance the plot as they add to Macbeth’s overconfidence. Upon meeting with the witches for the second time, Macbeth receives prophecies which reveal that, “None of woman born/ Shall harm Macbeth.” (1.4.82-83). Macbeth now convinces himself that he is indestructible as he goes into battle believing he bears “a charmed life, which must not yield/ To one of woman born.” (5.8.13-14). Macbeth is blinded by his overconfidence and fails to fathom the idea that Macduff is not woman born as Macduff was “from his mother’s womb/ Untimely ripped” (5.8.15-16). The witches are ultimately the ones who give rise to Macbeth’s overconfidence which leads Macbeth to believe Macduff is harmless, thus, leading Macbeth to his downfall. Although the three witches are secondary characters in the play, they are vital to advancing the plot as they guide Macbeth’s thought to murder Duncan and they intensify Macbeth’s overconfidence and ambition, which are ultimately the basis of Macbeth’s

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