In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the protagonist Macbeth faces several external and supernatural influences. The most influential forces are the three witches, Lady Macbeth and the apparitions. It is these forces, along with Macbeth's greed for power and ambition for the throne, that drive his actions. The opening scene of Macbeth is of the three witches wondering about the moor. This scene features thunder, lightning, and mist, which create the darkness necessary for an evil work. In this scene, the witches demonstrate three powers, they control the weather: “When will the three of us see each other again, under thunder, lightning or rain? (2.1.1-2). In Shakespeare's time, witches were thought to have the ability to change the weather and create a storm. Witches can see the future; “There to meet Macbeth” (1.2.8). What shows that the witches expect to meet Macbeth soon? These witches are never referred to by name; however, they openly discuss when they will meet Macbeth, the main character. Because the witches are talking about Macbeth, the audience wonders what the connection is between Macbeth and the three witches. Witches speak in riddles. “When the battle is lost and won” (2.1.8). This seems ridiculous at first, but after rereading it we become well aware of the contradiction. The term "won" of the battle refers to the battlefield where he fought with honor and where his side won. “The Battle Is Lost” is about the fact that after the battle, Macbeth slowly, throughout the play, loses all humanity as he is overtaken by evil and selfish acts. Or was the battle a battle against him? Witches are a very powerful influence in Macbeth's life. Witches make Macbeth think middle of paper......and they themselves constitute punishment (1619). Macbeth is a tragedy struggling against the external forces of good and evil. Regret, greed, power and especially ambition influence Macbeth. However, outside forces provide energy in the play and are merely the scapegoat for Macbeth's true weaknesses: greed, the ability to commit murder, and Macbeth's strong desire to ascend to the position of monarch. Macbeth. The Complete Shakespeare Pelican. Ed. Stephen Orgel and AR Braunnuller. New York: Penguin 2002: 1616-1662.---. Macbeth .William Shakespeare Macbeth Texts and contexts .Ed .William C. Carroll Boston: Bedford/St.Martin's, 1999.---. Macbeth. Shakespeare's simplified Macbeth Modern EnglishVersion side by side with the full original text. Ed. Alan Durband New York: Hutching Publishing Group, 1984.