How did the 'evil' in witches and Lady Macbeth affect Macbeth?
             'Macbeth' was written by William Shakespeare in 1606 when a large majority of people were interested in witches and witchcraft. So that is why Shakespeare has made the witches and witches' prophecies plat an essential role in the storyline of the play, 'Macbeth.'
             At that time witches were not thought to be supernatural beings, but supposedly gained their powers by selling their souls to the Satan, and were then instructed and controlled by "familiar spirits." The English law recognises the practice of witchcraft among some people in 1604 and made a rule so that any one who practice witchcraft, help those who practice witchcraft or do any thing seriously unusual from the others can be penalised to death. But it was by no means unquestioned. There can be no doubt that most of the Shakespeare's audience would have believed in witches, and for the intention of the play, at least, Shakespeare also accepted their views.
             The three witches in 'Macbeth' are introduced right at the first scene of the first act and the brief opening scene give a sudden sense of horror, ambiguity and mystery. The writer uses this as a sign of things to come later, for witchcraft is one of the major themes of the play. The witches create an atmosphere of disorder, destruction and wickedness.
             The weather in the opening scene is thunder and lightening which is a reflection of the way the witches are perceived. When one thinks of thunder and lightening he thinks of evil and destruction and this is exactly how the witches are portrayed in the play. They are evil and cause destruction in Macbeth's life.
             The witches and their prophecies are the first major influence in Macbeth's evil actions. Macbeth, the thane of Glamis, a nobl...