The significance of the witches in Macbeth (Notes)

Why are the witches in 'Macbeth'? What do they add to our understanding of the play?

• It can be inferred that that that three witches provide many different elements to the play and also have a vast significance in terms of both plot and symbolism
• As characters they provide an element of the Gothic into the play, this being the supernatural. They are cast as supernatural, in part, by Shakespeare's use of rhyme in the witches speech. This also separates them from the rest of the characters.
• The witches can be seen to symbolise the theme of false hope. The line "will be happier" supports this interpretation, it shows that Banquo will be happier than Macbeth yet fails to foresee his murder. This therefore gives Banquo a false hope in terms of his well being.
• They act as chorus figures who tell part of the story.
• They could be outcasts of society taking revenge upon the upper classes by playing on their superstitious minds.
• The witches could be a 17th century representation of the 3 Greek fates who weave the wool of life and have ultimate control over people.
• They could be voices in Macbeth's head and this can be implied as none of the other characters (except Banquo) see the witches. Alternatively, the voices could represent Macbeth's supposed insanity.
• Leading on from this, the voices could have been brought on by post traumatic stress disorder caused by fighting in the war against the Norwegian invaders. Therefore, Banquo has the same condition.
• Without the inclusion of the witches, I personally doubt that there would be much of a story, because they initiate Macbeth's desire to be king by killing all who in front of him in line for the thrown.
• They fuel Macbeth's self-supposed importance and every time Macbeth visits the witches he is drawn into a false sense of security.
• The portrayal of the witches as creating potions with adverse ingredients and having beards, fit the public view of witches in the 17th century.
• Hecat's inclusion of a head witch figure is shown through the form of her speech, which consists of rhyming couplets and a different meter.
• The use of repetition in the lines impies the use of incarntations that indicates the theme of the supernatural
• The fact they always enter with thunder could show how powerful they are or could show that there influence disrupts nature.
• During the incarnation of Act 5 there are many gruesome images that are revealed to the audience. However one of the most disturbing is that of "finger of birth-strangled babe." this also relates to pervious action where Lady Macbeth talks about killing a new born child.
• The witches could also reveal a vew that women are powerful and affect a mans mind.