Macbeth

            
            
            
             Literature: Social, historical and cultural background.
             Discuss the role of the witches in the play "Macbeth" by .
             William Shakespeare.
             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.
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             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 Elizabethan belief that these potions were linked to the Devil; the witches also represent the Devil.
             Witches were thought to be able to have an effect on the weather. They could trigger fogs and tempests. In the very first scene of the play the witches enter along with "Thunder and Lightning." The words of the first witch indicate that the witches can create any type of weather they want; .
             "When shall we three meet again?.
             In thunder, lightning or in rain?".
             It was also believed that witches could take demonic possession of any individual by casting a spell over them. This is shown by the trance-like Macbeth, his raptness when the witches first tempt him and seeing Banquo's ghost, indicating he is the victim of demonic possession. He behaves compulsively, as if he is controlled by evil spirits rather than by his own conscious mind.