Macbeth Analysis Outline

Question 30: What do the three witches predict in the beginning of the story?  Do you think that the three witches are antagonists or protagonists?  Why?

1.      The three witches predict the rise of Macbeth and Banquo

A.    Macbeth shall become the Thane of Cawdor.

                                        i.      “All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!” (line 49)

B.     Macbeth will become king.

C.     Banquo will never become king, however his descendants will.

                                        i.      “Thou shalt get kings….” (line 67)

                                        ii.      Although he doesn’t rise as high as Macbeth, Banquo would be happier.

2.      The Witches are antagonist.

A.    Witches use their supernatural abilities against Macbeth.

B.     Witches are able to use Macbeth’s ambition to cause him to kill to fulfill his lust for power.

C.     The witches represent evil temptation that affects a person’s decision making.

"Macbeth." SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2002. Web. 21 Oct. 2010.   <http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth> Shakespeare, William. "Macbeth."

British Literature. Ronald H. Horton. 2nd ed. Greenville: BJU Press, 2003. 199-277. Print.