Terry Pratchett’s Rewriting of Shakespeare’s Witches in Wyrd Sisters

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Many scholars have written about how Terry Pratchett has represented the witches in his novel, Wyrd Sisters (1989), that were originally used in Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth (1623). However, in their studies of the two works, many of these scholars illustrate how both Shakespeare and Pratchett present the witches’ personalities and outward appearances. Additionally, there has also been some literature on the representation of Pratchett’s witches and some compared them with Macbeth’s three weird witches in relation to their appearance, personalities and external characteristics in general. At the same time, there is shortage in the studies that focus on the intention of the witches and the way they use their authority in both works. The study depicts the good and moral intentions of Pratchett’s three witches in Wyrd Sisters. This can be seen in the way they use their authority and influence to give back the throne to King Verence’s son and save the kingdom. It could also be seen in the way the three Wyrd Witches deal with Felmet and his Lady, despite what they do to them. There has not been much literature written about Pratchett’s representation of the witches’ intentions and influence in their plot to help King Verence, who represents Shakespeare’s King Duncan, regain his throne rather than fight against his reign as the three witches did in Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth (1623).