Most people in Shakespeare time believed in the powers of witches, and witchcraft became the object of morbid and fevered fascination. Between 1560 and 1605 hundred of people (mainly women) were convicted as witches and executed. Witches were credited with diabolical powers. They could predict the future, bring on night in daytime, cause fogs and tempests and kill animals. They cursed animals with fatal wasting disease and could raise evil spirits by concocting a horrible brew with …showed first 75 words of 2380 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2380 total…witches should be held most responsible for the tragedy. Every time Macbeth's confidence fell the witches would intervene and boost his ego again by twisting the truth and making him feel unbeatable. If the witches hadn't planted the thoughts of him being king in his head in the first place, then Macbeth would have probably been content with his current responsibilities, or may, in later years, have even gained the crown in a honourable way.