The Witches Effect In Macbeth

Throughout the play, Macbeth has a lot of trouble trusting his own instincts, and instead, trusts others, and allows them to influence his decisions. The most substantial impact is made by the three witches. At the beginning of the play, the reader is told that these witches’ posses many great powers, including the ability to predict the future. It is also revealed that the three weird sisters would meet with Macbeth on the heath after the hurly-burly, or civil war, had ended. Before they vanish, they declare that “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” (Shakespeare, 11) This quotation foreshadowed the effect that the witches would have on Macbeth’s life, and offer insight into why Macbeth goes down the path he did. “With it are the associated premonitions of the conflict, disorder, and moral darkness into which Macbeth will plunge himself.

All of this began when Macbeth first encountered the witches. When Macbeth and Banquo came upon the witches, they were each given a prophecy. Macbeth was told that he would become the thane of Cawdor, and then the king. Banquo, while told he would not be king, was said to become the father to an entire dynasty of kings. While at first it may seem as if Macbeth’s prophecy would be the more desirable of the two, the prediction for Banquo’s life would be far greater. This again relates to the witches previous prophecy, as what seemed bad was really good, and Macbeth’s future, although it seemed desirable, would really turn out poorly. Macbeth was insecure in his own position, so rather than trusting that his current position as a leader was enough, he put his trust in to the words of the witches. Banquo, however, was secure in himself, and did not let the predictions change him as Macbeth did, even questioning if it really