Topic: How important are the witches to Macbeth? Discuss the effects of witches on character, plot, themes, and audience. In William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" the witches have a major effect on Macbeth, the characters, the plot, the theme, and the audience. They help build the show and without them the plot would have been completely different. The three strange sisters influence Macbeth in his actions, influence the lives of the characters, direct the plot, are linked to most of the themes and attract the attention of the audience. The witches have a strong effect on Macbeth's character; they strongly influence him in his successes and awaken his ambitions. They give Macbeth a false sense of security with their appearances of truth. Instead, they prove harmful to Macbeth who takes too much comfort and confidence in his interpretation of the truths. They are the ones who instill the idea of ​​killing Duncan in Macbeth's mind. But if it had only been the witches' prophecies, then Macbeth definitely would not have killed the king. “When you dared do it, then you were a man,” (Macbeth, Shakespeare Act 1 Scene 7). Lady Macbeth's constant harassment pushed Macbeth and made him commit all this evil. When you reason on your own you tend to understand what is right and what is wrong, a conscience. But with the external influence of the witches he thinks that this is his destiny and he must do everything to realize it. One may wonder if Macbeth ever had the chance to do what was right after meeting the witches. He is overthrown and killed. Through his ambitions, his wife's ambition, and the witches' prophecies, Macbeth caused his own destruction and downfall. We can now clearly see that ambition not achieved through our capabilities leads to destruction. “Greetings Lord of Glamis and Cawdor and thou shalt be King henceforth.” (Act 1 scene 3) These prophecies of three strangers are taken without question and probably without common sense. The mere thought that he could become king clouds his thoughts and ambition takes over. Witches can predict the future, they can add temptations and influence Macbeth, but they cannot control his destiny.