Question

How does Shakespeare characterize the witches in Macbeth? What is their thematic significance?

Answer 1

Hint: The complete tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It was possibly first performed in 1606. It was first written, perhaps from a prompt book, in the 1623 Folio, and is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy. It's one of the best Shakespearean plays.

Complete answer:
Within the sense of his period, Shakespeare characterizes witches. James VI of Scotland had ascended the English throne by the time he wrote Macbeth. In the play, Macbeth had to interpret Scottish history or even misrepresent it.
To witchcraft, there was a period when witch hunts in Europe were common. James had a particular obsession with the topic and published a Daemonlogie extract. So the depiction of witches by Shakespeare reflected James's views on the subject, that of hideous, dangerous hags who were to be legitimately hunted and persecuted because of their associations with the devil.
In the play, their thematic importance is central. They were anticipating what is going to happen to Macbeth and Banquo. Macbeth is surprised because their predictions already reflect what is going through his mind, namely a desire to win the throne.
Macbeth, however, also has the option not to fulfill their predictions. He does so, however, egged on by his mom.
The witches also predict that Macbeth won't have kids to become king, but Banquo will have them. This is supposed to give a signal to Macbeth, but it doesn't.
They represent the central theme in the play, and the culture of the time is reflected again. Within the sense of feudalism and the Divine Right of Rulers, society was seen as highly stratified. James, since he had a divine right to be so, was king.
Everything has its position based on the will of God, and if it is disrupted, before the proper order is restored, there will be repercussions.
In this context, as soon as Macbeth kills Duncan, his fate is sealed. Peace must be restored, and with the death of Macbeth, it is. Duncan was an ancestor of James, so Shakespeare had to take this into account in his writings.
The witches represent disorder, and what if we follow this route, will happen.

Note: Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who strongly desires strength and progress and is not instinctively inclined to commit evil deeds. Against his best judgement, he kills Duncan and stews in remorse and fear afterwards. He descends into the kind of frantic, boastful madness towards the end of the play.