Why did Shakespeare choose to open his play Macbeth with the scene of the witches?

Shakespeare chose to open "Macbeth" with the scene of the witches for several reasons:

1. Establishing Mood: The presence of the witches sets a dark, ominous tone that permeates the entire play. Their mysterious and supernatural characteristics draw the audience into a world of magic and foreboding.

2. Theme of Fate vs. Free Will: The witches symbolize the theme of fate and prophecy, foreshadowing the events that will unfold. Their chant, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair," suggests the moral confusion and the idea that appearances can be deceptive.

3. Hooks the Audience: By starting with the witches, Shakespeare quickly engages the audience's curiosity. The supernatural is a compelling element that intrigues viewers and sets the expectation for a dramatic narrative.

4. Foreshadowing: The witches’ prophecies about Macbeth’s rise to power and the eventual downfall are introduced at the outset, creating suspense as the audience watches the characters navigate their destinies.

5. Characterization: The witches serve to characterize Macbeth even before he appears. Their prediction highlights his ambition and the potential for his moral decline, making the audience eager to see how he will respond to their prophecies.

Overall, the opening scene with the witches lays the groundwork for the play's exploration of ambition, morality, and the supernatural, while capturing the audience's attention from the very start.