OBJ: To consider the role and purpose of Hecate.
Who is Hecate?
Hecate or Hekate is a goddess in Greek religion and mythology, most often shown holding two torches or a key and in later periods depicted in triple form. She was variously associated with crossroads, entrance-ways, dogs, light, the Moon, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, necromancy, and sorcery. In the post-Christian writings of the Chaldean Oracles (2nd-3rd century CE) she was regarded with (some) rulership over earth, sea and sky, as well as a more universal role as Saviour (Soteira), Mother of Angels and the Cosmic World Soul. She was one of the main deities worshiped in Athenian households as a protective goddess and one who bestowed prosperity and daily blessings on the family.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hecate
HECATE
"And I, the mistress of your charms, The close contriver of all harms"
Hecates is the 'mother' of the witches, the leader of the supernatural group and is angry with the three witches for not consulting her. She represents the symbolic cross roads that Macbeth has arrived at in the play.
"Meet me i'th' morning; thither he will come, to know his destiny."
Hecates is a symbol of illumination for Macbeth, she is lighting the way to his destiny.
Who is Hecate?
Hecate or Hekate is a goddess in Greek religion and mythology, most often shown holding two torches or a key and in later periods depicted in triple form. She was variously associated with crossroads, entrance-ways, dogs, light, the Moon, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, necromancy, and sorcery. In the post-Christian writings of the Chaldean Oracles (2nd-3rd century CE) she was regarded with (some) rulership over earth, sea and sky, as well as a more universal role as Saviour (Soteira), Mother of Angels and the Cosmic World Soul. She was one of the main deities worshiped in Athenian households as a protective goddess and one who bestowed prosperity and daily blessings on the family.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hecate
HECATE
Have I not reason, beldams as you are?
Saucy and overbold, how did you dare
To trade and traffic with Macbeth
In riddles and affairs of death,
And I, the mistress of your charms,
The close contriver of all harms,
Was never called to bear my part,
Or show the glory of our art?
And, which is worse, all you have done
Hath been but for a wayward son,
Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do,
Loves for his own ends, not for you.
But make amends now. Get you gone,
And at the pit of Acheron
Meet me i' th' morning. Thither he
Will come to know his destiny.
Your vessels and your spells provide,
Your charms and everything beside.
I am for the air. This night I’ll spend
Unto a dismal and a fatal end.
Great business must be wrought ere noon.
Upon the corner of the moon
There hangs a vap'rous drop profound.
I’ll catch it ere it come to ground.
And that distilled by magic sleights
Shall raise such artificial sprites
As by the strength of their illusion
Shall draw him on to his confusion.
"And I, the mistress of your charms, The close contriver of all harms"
Hecates is the 'mother' of the witches, the leader of the supernatural group and is angry with the three witches for not consulting her. She represents the symbolic cross roads that Macbeth has arrived at in the play.
"Meet me i'th' morning; thither he will come, to know his destiny."
Hecates is a symbol of illumination for Macbeth, she is lighting the way to his destiny.
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