Monday, July 18, 2011

What is a character sketch of Hecate in Macbeth? What does Hecate feel strongly about? What are her goals, dreams, fears, beliefs, values, etc.?

Hecate feels strongly about being acknowledged as "the mistress of [the Weird Sisters'] charms" (3.5.6). In other words, it is because of her that the witches have any power at all, and she wants to be given her due. When they neglected to include her in their plans for Macbeth, they failed to show her the respect she believes she deserves, and she is now irritated as a result. She orders them to "make amends now" and follow her directions to the letter so that they can "show the glory of our art" (3.5.14, 3.5.9). Beyond feeling entitled to the sisters' respect, she wants the opportunity to show off her evil talents too.


Hecate's goal, at this point, is to deceive Macbeth so that he feels overly confident and "spurn[s] fate, scorn[s] death, and bear[s] / His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace, and fear" (3.5.30-31). She will make him feel absolutely secure so that he lets down his guard and leaves himself more vulnerable to attack. She says that Macbeth is "a wayward son, / Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do, / Loves for his own ends, not for you" (3.5.11-13). She does not think very highly of Macbeth; in fact, she thinks he's kind of spoiled. Hecate seems to relish the idea of teaching him a lesson.

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