The play Macbeth is a tragedy about a battle hero who had a major downfall which was influenced by some of the characters. Macbeth was an honest and trustworthy man who was respected by his friends, the army and his king but this honesty turned into greed and ambition which are the main themes of the play. The play gives the messages that, jealousy can cause the worst of crimes and ambition can bring the mightiest low. The play symbolises the differences between light and dark The Witches represent the dark powers that have the capacity to influence men's decisions, but, more importantly, they are an outward representation of Macbeth's inner evil. Having said this, the brooding and mystifying darkness itself is a recurring motif in the drama and, like the Witches; it symbolizes the darkness in Macbeth's heart and the evil nature of his horrible deeds. King Duncan represents the light as he died an innocent man.
Although Macbeth killed Duncan he was influenced by other characters such as the witches and Lady Macbeth, as at the start of the play Macbeth is a brave and honest hero but ends up a murder and a tyrant.
The witches are ambiguous creatures but they influenced Macbeth a great deal because of the three predictions:.
"All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee thane of Glamis!".
"All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee thane of Cawdor!".
"All hail Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter.".
(Act 1 scene 3 lines 48-51).
As two of these predictions came true he is preoccupied by thoughts of kingship. Macbeth had written a letter to Lady Macbeth saying that he believes the predictions and he thinks that the witches predictions are reliable evidence:.
"They met me on the day of success; and I have learnt by the perfect'st report, they have mortal knowledge-.
(Act 1 scene 5 lines 1-3).
