Alternative interepration

Question 1

Shakespeare does not believe in witches at a all. In what ways do we see this

Answer 1

The witches perform several “charms” but at no time do they control the weather. Which king James believed they had done.

Question 2

One witch mentions sending a “wind” suggests what

Answer 2

They mention “I’ll send a wind” only as a form of help. This subtly questions James’s belief in the supernatural assassination attempt on his life. Shakespeare is implying that a witch did not try and assassinate king James.

Question 3

Embedded context referring to the human error sinking a ship and not the witches

Answer 3

He also references “a pilot’s thumb, wrecked as homeward he did come” as one of the witches ingredients in their charm. The pilot leads a boat to safety, and has failed in his task, sinking his ship.

This clearly indicates a human error as the difficulties King James’s ship might have faced. it also signals the witches lack of direct power - they did not create the shipwreck, as there is no “I” in the description of how the witch obtained the thumb

Question 4

Paragraph imploring the witches are powerless and Macbeth is the one with power

Answer 4

We realise that the witches never gave Macbeth a single instruction - the murder of Duncan, of Banquo of Macduff’s whole family, are entirely his own idea. In this way Shakespeare points out their powerlessness.

Question 5

STRUCTURELYParagraph imploring the witches are powerless