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Why Were Witches in Macbeth?

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About the lecture

In this module, we explore why witches were featured in the play Macbeth, considering: (i) Macbeth’s temptation by prophecy, (ii) in Holinshed’s Chronicles (1577), witches do not appear, (iii) the appearance of witches as a way of distracting from prophecy, as real rebellions were being caused by prophecy, and (iv) the popularity of witches on stage.

About the lecturer

Diane Purkiss is a Professor at Keble College, Oxford. She has published two books on the English Civil War - 'The English Civil War: A People's History' (2006) and 'Literature, Gender, and Politics during the English Civil War' (2005).

Cite this Lecture

APA style

Purkiss, D. (2022, October 28). Witchcraft - Why Were Witches in Macbeth? [Video]. MASSOLIT. https://massolit.io/options/witchcraft-76cc1f4e-8f16-45c1-8fc8-e23642625b19?auth=0&lesson=10085&option=13445&type=lesson

MLA style

Purkiss, D. "Witchcraft – Why Were Witches in Macbeth?." MASSOLIT, uploaded by MASSOLIT, 28 Oct 2022, https://massolit.io/options/witchcraft-76cc1f4e-8f16-45c1-8fc8-e23642625b19?auth=0&lesson=10085&option=13445&type=lesson