Question

The witches' prophecy that Macbeth will be king leads Macbeth to become overly ambitious and kill the king and everyone who is a threat to his power. In the case of Macbeth, do you think the witches cause and create evil? Or do they only reveal evil where it already was?

a. They only reveal evil where it already was.
b. They cause and create evil.
c. It's a combination of both.
d. It's unclear in the text.

Answer 1

The witches in Macbeth both reveal and contribute to the evil within Macbeth, influencing him with their prophecies but not solely responsible for his actions. Option c is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, the role of the witches is a nuanced one. The witches' prophecies certainly spark Macbeth's ambition, but it is ultimately his own decision-making that leads him to commit regicide and subsequent atrocities. While the witches present Macbeth with the prophecy that ignites his desire for power, they do not compel him to take action.

Macbeth's own intrinsic ambition and the persuasive influence of Lady Macbeth are significant drivers of his actions. In that sense, the witches seem to reveal evil tendencies that already exist within Macbeth rather than directly causing evil; however, their prophecies also set Macbeth on his dark path, making it a combination of both revelation and instigation.

So, the response to whether the witches cause and create evil or only reveal evil where it already was in Macbeth would be: c. It's a combination of both. This answer recognizes the complexity of the witches' influence and acknowledges that while they precipitate Macbeth's actions, they are not solely responsible for the evil that unfolds.