SHAKESPEARES DRAMATIZATION OF HOLINSHEDS CHRONICLES

THE THREE WITCHES

Holinsheds Chronicles describe them as creatures of the elderwoodnymphs or fairies (Chronicles 268). The initial image that one would get is that these sisters can be described with youthful beauty, as nymphs are generally known for being goddesses of the mountains, forests, or waters. Fairies are known for being enchantresses that are typically disguised as gentle and small humans.

THE WEIRD SISTERS

Shakespeares goal of dramatizing the three sisters is to captivate the audience with the fear by changing them into ugly, androgynous hags and appeal to them with their sinister and evil role in Macbeth. He may have used Scot Reginalds The Discoverie of Witchcraft to base the witches on, but for purely dramatic reasons. Shakespeare aimed to please King James I, who showed interest in contemporary necromancy as shown by Daemonologie. The Weird Sisters are also given the power to manipulate the natural elements of Earth, such as air, wind, and fire, which is stated in Daemonologie.

IN HOLINSHEDS CHRONICLE

IN SHAKESPEARES MACBETH

SOURCE
Mabillard, Amanda. The Relationship Between Macbeth and the Witches. Shakespeare Online. 16 Jan 2014. http://www.Shakespeareonline.com/faq/macbethfaq/macbethdarkness.html.