Prophecies of the three Witches in Macbeth

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to the following individuals
who have supported and guided me throughout the research and writing of this dissertation.

First and foremost, I am indebted to my supervisor, whose expertise, guidance, and

unwavering support have been invaluable. His/her insightful feedback, constructive criticism,
and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping this work.

I am grateful to the principal of Gour Mahavidyalaya English Department for their

knowledge, expertise, and dedication to education. His/her valuable insights and suggestions
have greatly enhanced the quality of my research.

I am deeply thankful to my family for their constant love, encouragement, and understanding
throughout this journey. Their unwavering support and belief in me have been a constant
source of motivation.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all my friends and colleagues who have
supported me emotionally and intellectually throughout this endeavor. Their words of
encouragement, discussions, and shared experiences have been invaluable.

In conclusion, I am profoundly grateful to everyone who has played a part, big or small, in
the successful completion of this dissertation. Their contributions and support have left an
indelible mark on my academic and personal journey.
 Table of Contents
1. Introduction............................................................................................................................5

1.1 Background of the study..................................................................................................5

2. Literature Review...................................................................................................................5

3. Methodology..........................................................................................................................6

4. Analysis..................................................................................................................................6

5. Conclusion..............................................................................................................................7
 Abstract
Prophecies of the three witches kindles fire into the heart of the characters in chief that sets
the whole theme of the play afloat . Psychology of the characters like that of Macbeth and
Banquo is woven into the very atmosphere in which the evil forces of nature in the form of
the witches swarm upon to give the human beings hope that is never fulfilled entirely but
partially.
How the supernatural character of the prophecies of the three witches has a deep delved
connection with the strange character of the natural elements that Shakespeare has created for
the environment in which the witches aapear to prophesy is the subject of study on which my
dessertation hinges.
1. Introduction

1.1 Background of the study

The supernatural elements are the reflections of a particular status of our psychee . The
witches displayed the forecast of the change in colour of the mind and soul of Macbeth.
Indeed it was the psychee of Macbeth that the witches represented . Whether the witches
were there or not is not the matter of utmost importance rather the the atmosphere of the
psychee of Macbeth is what shapes the link between the reality and fancy. After the victory in
the battle fell on the side of Macbeth, the possibility of Macbeth being promoted to the post
of the Thane of Cawdor was quite natural since the Cawdor was dismmised from his post
because of his treachery to the King . This is where the Witches took the opportunity to
prophesy the next level lure trap into which Macbeth would be caught in — the prophesy of
King of Scotland for Macbeth . The psychological state of Macbeth was quite obviously to be
matched up with whole phenomenon of the witches prophesying in such a strange ,
supernatural kind of ambience in which they were in and they caught their prey in .

My projection is that the witches alone would not be successful to the extent that they had
been in casting their magical influence on the psychee of Macbeth, though the immediate
fulfilment of one the prophesies regarding Macbet i.e. becoming the Thane of Cawdor
blostered his eveil faith in the black powers of the prophesies of the Witches, had there been
absence of the brilliant creation of strange Natural elements by Shakespeare like the deserted
heath , thunder, lightning , the weird environment in which they appeared to prophesy.

2. Literature Review

Nature played pivotal role in establishing the connection between the belief of Macbeth and
the prophesies of the witches. The heath where they first met Macbeth and Banquo was a
deserted place where a strange and supernatural kind of environment prevailed and that
ambience had every possibility and capability of casting a magical kind of influence on the
mind of Macbeth and Banquo. Furthermore, the elements of thunder and lightning were so
conducive to creating a magical atmosphere in that the existence of supernatural elements
like those of the Witches were quite [Link] supernatural imagination of Macbeth got
shaped because of the strange natural elements that Shakespeare has provided when it comes
to affecting the psychee of the protagonist.

3. Methodology

Conducting primary qualitative research can be time-consuming and expensive. By utilising

secondary qualitative research, which involves analyzing existing qualitative data,
researchers can save both time and resources. Simple random sampling allows for a
representative selection of data sources, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives while
streamlining the data collection process.
Secondary qualitative research makes use of data that has already been collected by other
researchers or organizations. This readily available data can span various sources such as
published research papers, reports, interviews, case studies, or online forums. By using
simple random sampling, researchers can systematically select a subset of this data, ensuring
an unbiased representation of the available information.
Secondary qualitative research can serve as a valuable complement to primary research. It
can provide additional insights, corroborate findings, or offer a broader context for the
research topic. Using a simple random sampling technique ensures that the chosen secondary
data sources are representative and diverse, enhancing the validity and generalizability of the
research findings.
Conducting primary research involving human participants requires careful attention to
ethical guidelines, such as informed consent and participant privacy. By utilizing secondary
qualitative research, researchers can avoid potential ethical issues associated with primary
data collection. Simple random sampling further ensures that data sources are selected
without bias, protecting participant confidentiality and privacy.

4. Analysis

The violent actions of Macbeth for becoming the king of Scotland and for retaining in
power after becoming the King of his dream like the ruthless assassination of Duncan and
merciless murder of Banquo and the terrifying killing of Macduff's wife and his children
were inspired by the whole atmosphere of ghostly environment decorated by the weird kind
of Natural elements . Darkness , as an element of Nature plays a pivotal role in making all the
negative actions of the hero-cum-vallain character happen. Before Banquo was alive there
was light and the moment he was stripped of his life, darkness came to pervade the scene and
that darkness is exactly the representation of the violent soul of Macbeth which is nothing but
the indirect enactment of the eerie prophecies of the three witches. The natural element of
darkness is thus assimilated in the very character of the strange prophecies of the three
witches .
Unless a man wants to be influenced by a prophecy, he can never be so. A man becomes
susceptible to the evil traps of the supernatural beings like those of the three Witches when he
falls victim to the weakness of his own psychological sphere.
Vague prophecies that always end up in being successful to mislead the weak soul to the
ultimate downfall of its fate. The Thane of Glamish that Macbeth already is , is the first step
of the ladder that the witches stand on to climb up the next steps of prophesies because the
black powers always take refuge in the present truth of the human beings to take them to the
next level of making them blind the trap of allurement that they lay to catch their prey.
The significance of the prophecies of the three witches in Macbeth goes beyond mere plot
development. They serve as a potent symbol of the supernatural, disrupting the natural order
of the world and challenging conventional notions of cause and effect. By introducing the
element of prophecy, Shakespeare explores the complexities of fate and free will, raising
fundamental questions about the extent to which individuals can control their own destinies.
The prophecies act as a catalyst for Macbeth's ambition, planting a seed of desire within him
that gradually consumes his moral compass. As the prophecies unfold, Macbeth is confronted
with a series of choices that reflect the dark depths of his character and expose the tragic
consequences of unchecked ambition.

5. Conclusion

Furthermore, the prophecies in Macbeth serve as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers
of unbridled desire for power. Macbeth's initial encounters with the witches fuel his vaulting
ambition, leading him to question the limits of his own agency and tempting him to take
increasingly drastic measures to secure his position. The prophecies act as a psychological
trigger, driving Macbeth to commit regicide, unleash a wave of violence, and manipulate
those around him to protect his ill-gotten gains. In this way, the prophecies highlight the
destructive potential of unchecked ambition, exposing the inherent moral decay that can
accompany the pursuit of power at any cost.
Moreover, the prophecies in Macbeth also raise profound existential questions about the
nature of reality and the role of the supernatural. Throughout the play, the line between the
natural and the supernatural is blurred, leaving the audience to ponder whether the witches'
prophecies are self-fulfilling or truly foretelling Macbeth's fate. Shakespeare purposefully
leaves the interpretation open, forcing us to grapple with the mysteries of the human
condition and the metaphysical realm. The prophecies, as a central motif, prompt us to
contemplate the extent to which our actions are predetermined or influenced by external
forces, adding a layer of complexity and philosophical depth to the play.