Macbeth: Which Witch is Which?

Explore the mind-twisting role of the witches in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, brought to life in vibrant verse and varied theatrical versions. Starting with a review of how Elizabethan audiences viewed witches, this course will then delve into the motivations and machinations of the most famous witches in literary history. Were the witches simply truth tellers who accurately predicted the future? Or diabolical fiends who manipulated the malleable Macbeth? Or—a little bit of both? To supplement our trenchant review of Shakespeare’s verse, the course will include the diverse stage and movie interpretations of the witches, ranging from warty hags to diabolic nurses to fiendish schoolgirls—and everything in between. Keep your brooms at home, but come join us for a wild ride with Macbeth’s witches!

Eric Kimble is a former business executive who, mid-career, answered a call from the “Great Recruiter in the Sky” to return to his high school alma mater to teach English literature and coach baseball. Known for creating engaging seminars with relevant lessons, Eric’s business/teaching background allows him to provide a unique perspective on the interconnectedness of literature and life. Eric spent most of his teaching career at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Massachusetts; he most recently retired from teaching freshmen, sophomore and senior English Literature at Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket.  He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in English literature from Brown University. Eric and his wife Nancy recently moved to Rhode Island to be closer to their three grown daughters and enjoy the beauty of the Ocean State.