Shakespeare, Witches and Struggle With Evil

Your article (Oct. 25), “Parents Win Suit to Control Reading,” was of special interest to me since it listed as one of the “objectionable selections” by the Tennessee parents Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” for its “presentations of witchcraft and magic.”

Each year, my students study this play and, as a result, gain new insights into the workings of the human conscience and its struggle with good and evil. They see a good and honored man, “worthy Macbeth,” being led step by step to his doom because he is blinded by his own excessive ambition--his hamartia or tragic flaw.

The witches merely symbolize the evil tendencies that exist in all of us and were used by Shakespeare to represent that dark side of human nature to his Elizabethan audience and to all audiences down through the centuries.

Perhaps Shakespeare got the idea from the Bible, specifically I Samuel when another king, Saul, goes in disguise to the Witch of Endor to learn his fortune and to “conjure up Samuel.” It is interesting to note also that Saul was opposed to necromancy and had prohibited it in his kingdom. Nevertheless, he did not hesitate to use a medium or witch to achieve his goals.

However, I’m sure the people from the Tennessee Bible Belt know their Bible well and do not wish to be lectured by me! Still, I would remind them to consider Saul and his weaknesses as they condemn “Macbeth.” Otherwise, they may have no choice but to add one more book to their list of “objectionables” the Book of Samuel.

SR. TERESA McMAHON

Sisters of St. Louis

St. Anthony Claret Convent

Anaheim