There are many essays written on the role of the witches in MacBeth. Because the witches are female, it is important to note their role as women, not just witches. During the time period, witchcraft was not limited to females and there were many men who were accused of witchcraft. The fact that Shakespeare made all three of the witches female illustrates the patriarchal nature of the culture in which the play was written. As women, the witches represent Shakespeare" s attempt to display the "other," the darker side of humanity. Both Lady MacBeth and the witches are portrayed as evil women who influence MacBeth to do evil; the thoughts they suggest to him infect his mind and he becomes filled with malice. MacBeth's defeat at the end of the play represents the defeat of the other; the other is manifested in female characters within the play. .
Even though the witches have the power to see the future, they are still subject to male characters in the play. They speak to Banquo and MacBeth in a very humble manner. During their first meeting, all the witches do is praise both of the men and tell them they have great things waiting for them in the future. They do not ever have a real dialogue with the male characters; basically, they only provide a service to the men by telling them what lies in their future. After MacBeth kills Banquo, he returns to the witches to seek their advice. MacBeth commands them to "answer me, / To what I ask you" (4.1.63-64). The witches willingly agree to tell him anything he wants to know. Still, it is not the witches who profess the future; MacBeth chooses not to listen to the witches, but to their male masters, the apparitions. Although the witches perform a service for MacBeth, he is not thankful. In fact, the witches practically thank him for the opportunity to serve him. This illustrates the way in which these female characters are submissive to the male characters.