Macbeth Characters-The Three Witches
The Three Witches


The Three Witches - The three witches add an element of supernatural and prophecy to the play. They each have a familiar, such as Graymalkin and Paddock, and are commanded by Hecate, a Greek goddess of the moon and later witchcraft. The witches are based on a variety of ideas about witches at the time. They can use sieves as boats, and they can assume the shape of an animal, but with a defect, as with the tailless rat. The witches were also thought to be able to control the winds. They are described as having beards but looking human.

The "weird sisters" not very friendly people, who have a habit of telling peoples' futures via "familiar spirits".

They are the fates in Macbeth, old, decrepit, know and tell the future, are always right Apparitions.


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Margaret Stewart-Zimmerman
May 22, 1998 - 2010