In Shakespeare's time, witches were one convenient way to explain terrible maladies and misfortunes that happened, seemingly without cause, on a daily basis. Explain how the witches in Macbeth support this idea and take the blame away from Macbeth himself.

If the witches had done what they were supposed to and not told Macbeth his prophecy, he would have remained loyal to King Duncan and never would have killed the king. The witches disobeyed Hecate and told Macbeth he was to become king after Duncan, leading to the start of Macbeth’s killing spree.