Character Sketch from ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 3 Scene 5 of Hecate, the Three Witches, Hecate’s Little Spirit and Macbeth
A character sketch defines what the character is like and how he/she evolves or develops throughout the story. In this post you can find the Character Sketch of Hecate, the Three Witches, Hecate’s Little Spirit and Macbeth from ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 3 Scene 5
- Character Sketch of Hecate
- Questions related to the Character of Hecate
- Character Sketch of the Three Witches
- Questions related to the Character of the Three Witches
- Character Sketch of Hecate’s Little Spirit
- Questions related to the Character of Hecate’s Little Spirit
- Character Sketch of Macbeth
- Questions related to the Character of Macbeth
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Character Sketch of Hecate
Hecate is the most significant character in this scene, introduced as the Goddess of Witchcraft and the superior of the three Witches. She is portrayed as a commanding, vindictive, and highly organized leader. Her primary role in this scene is to scold the Witches for acting without her permission and to take control of Macbeth’s ultimate destruction. Unlike the Witches, who speak in rhythmic chants, Hecate often speaks in more formal, rhyming couplets, which emphasizes her authority. She views Macbeth not as a hero, but as a ‘wayward son’ who is selfish and unworthy, and she plans to use his own ego to destroy him.
Questions related to the Character of Hecate
Q1. Describe the character of Hecate.
Q2. What role does Hecate perform?
Character Sketch of the Three Witches
Also known as the Weird Sisters, the Witches appear in this scene in a submissive role. While they have been the primary drivers of the plot so far, Hecate’s arrival reveals that they are part of a larger hierarchy of evil. In this scene, they are largely silent, listening to Hecate’s reprimand. Their disrespectful and overbold behavior in dealing with Macbeth independently is what sparked Hecate’s anger. By the end of the scene, they are back to being obedient servants, hurrying to carry out Hecate’s orders to prepare the cauldron and spells for Macbeth’s next visit.
Questions related to the Character of the Three Witches
Q1. What change can be seen in the three witches?
Q2. Why do the witches obey Hecate?
Character Sketch of Hecate’s Little Spirit
Although not a speaking human character, Hecate’s familiar, a supernatural spirit or demon in animal form, is mentioned at the end of the scene. Hecate points to a foggy cloud where her spirit sits waiting for her. This little spirit serves as her transportation and messenger, calling her away to the heavens. Its presence adds to the spectacle of the scene, reinforcing Hecate’s high status and her connection to the celestial elements, like the moon, which the other Witches do not seem to share.
Questions related to the Character of Hecate’s Little Spirit
Q1. What purpose does Hecate’s spirit fulfil?
Q2. What does Hecate’s spirit represent?
Character Sketch of Macbeth
While Macbeth does not physically appear in this scene, he is the central subject of the conversation. Hecate’s detailed description of him provides the audience with a supernatural perspective on his character. She sees him as an angry man who is cruelly hurting others. He only uses the Witches for his own ends. By discussing him in his absence, the scene emphasizes how much of a puppet Macbeth has become in the hands of these powerful entities.
Questions related to the Character of Macbeth
Q1. What description of Macbeth is given?
Q2. What appearance does Macbeth have in this scene?