of King James I of England. Macbeth was first presented for James.
In Holinshed's Chronicles, which was Shakespeare's source for the
story, Banquo helped Macbeth murder the king. Many critics believe
that Shakespeare changed Banquo's role to please King James.
MACBETH: THE WITCHES
The three witches that Macbeth and Banquo meet are also called the
"weird sisters." In Old English wyrd meant "fate." And it is part of
their role in the play to act as the forces of fate.
But "fate" in what sense? Do they cause Macbeth's actions? What
powers do they have, and what are the limits of their powers? In
other words, do they dictate what will happen?
They certainly know things that no mortal could know. Even a person
who knew that the Thane of Cawdor was a traitor would be awfully
shrewd to guess that Macbeth would be given his title. And who
without supernatural powers could have known that Macbeth would only
be defeated when Birnam Wood moved to Dunsinane?
The witches have other supernatural powers. They can cause storms,
and they appear and disappear at will.
But their powers are limited. Look at Act I, Scene iii. The First
Witch has been insulted by a sailor's wife. When the witch asked the
woman for a chestnut, the woman says, "Aroint thee, witch!" In other
words, "Get lost!" The witch doesn't seem to be able to harm the
woman directly. Instead, she sends a storm to disturb the sailor's
ship. Even at that, her powers are limited: "...his bark cannot be
lost...", the witch says.
These hags lead Macbeth on to destroy himself. Their predictions are
temptations. They never lie, they never tell Macbeth he has to do
anything, they just give the trick answers. In that sense they are
agents of the devil, out for his soul; they trick him into damning
himself.
But it is clear that the responsibility for the crimes is Macbeth's.
Nothing the witches did forced him to commit them. He was wrong to
hear their words as an invitation to murder the King. Still, you
wonder if Macbeth would have murdered anybody if he had not met the
witches. And you can argue that either way.
MACBETH: MALCOLM
Malcolm represents the rightful order that Macbeth disturbs. Duncan,
who is a good and wise king, names his son the Prince of Cumberland
and heir to the throne.
