Witchcraft celebrates
Pale Hecate’s offerings, and wither’d murder.
– William Shakespeare
Macbeth, Act 2, Scene 1. This quote from Macbeth’s soliloquy shows how much a once well-regarded warrior with a moral conscience has been corrupted by the malevolent influence of the Witches. Aligning himself with the supernatural, he believes that the murder of Duncan is like an offering to Hecate. Hecate is the ancient Greek goddess of magic, witchcraft, the moon and the night. Witches were said to have gathered in the woods at night to offer sacrifices to Hecate.