The Use of teh Witches in Macbeth

A detailed Summary of The Use of teh Witches in Macbeth

One of Shakespeare's most famous plays, "Macbeth", includes examples of several literary techniques. Two techniques he uses are foreshadowing and bringing supernatural elements into a story. Like many writers, Shakespeare uses characters to foreshadow. The witches in "Macbeth" bring out the elements of foreshadowing and the supernatural. Throughout the play readers can find the witches and their effects upon the story and the other characters.

When "Macbeth" begins, the first characters on stage are the witches. They immediately are used to set the tone of the play. They speak of "hurlyburly" or turmoil and Macbeth, which foreshadow the evil that is soon to follow. When Macbeth meets these witches by accident, he is hailed as the "Thane of Glamis," which he is, but then they continue. "All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!" and further, "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" This immediately foreshadows the path Macbeth will venture onto shortly. The witches also proceed to te

ll Banquo he will not be king, but his descendents will be. By the next scene Macbeth is Thane of Cawdor. Already this truth frightens Macbeth. It also encourages him to pursue his dream of power and plot to kill King Duncan.

Next the witches show him something frightening. A procession of eight kings, all looking just like Banquo. This last image presented by the witches confirms Macbeth's defeat.

Shakespeare's use of foreshadowing through the witches proves very successful. They immediately tell the reader of Macbeth's success and impending tragedy. After seeing only his success, Macbeth again seeks the witch's guidance. This time he is doomed. Their supernatural powers show images which give him confidence, only to trick him in the end. The witches then foreshadow the death of Macbeth when Banquo's descendents are kings.

The witches have been consulted by their leader, who scolded them for their actions with Macbeth. She advises the witches to make Macbeth overconfident so he may be defeated.

Macbeth, with the help of his wife, murders the King and takes the throne. The witch

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Approximate Word count = 749
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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