Act 1, Scene 3

Summary

The witches prophesise that Macbeth will receive the title Thane of Cawdor and will eventually become King.
They also mention that Banquo will create a line of royalty.
Macbeth receives the title Thane of Cawdor and now is led to believe that the other prophecy will be true as well.
He muses on the idea of killing Duncan to become King.

‘[Thunder]’ (stage direction)

‘Wrecked as homeward he did come.’ - First Witch

Should be a safe trip but ended up leading to the sailors fate.
Could be a metaphor for Macbeth receiving the prophecy thinking it will lead to good things, but it sets in motion his hamartia, and leads to his fate.

‘So foul and fair a day I have not seen’ - Macbeth

Echoes the words of the witches and establishes a connection between them and Macbeth.
Everything is not as it seems.
Oxymoron

‘So wither’d and so wild in their attire’ - Banquo

‘All hail Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!’ - Third Witch

Macbeth will be king
Refers to Macbeth as ‘thou’, which means they are familiar with him, and believe he is inferior to them. They are familiar with him due to the fact that they see the same evil in Macbeth as they do in themselves. Consequently, it shows that the witches could be omniscient instead of just having limited power that was suggested in Act 1, Scene 1.

‘why do you start’ - Banquo

Banquo noticed that Macbeth now is filled with fear rather than rejoice once he hears about the prophecy.
Macbeth is afraid as he imagines himself killing Duncan - as his hamartia is partly bloodlust and party ambition.
Banquo doesn’t see it as an opportunity for power but something fair.

‘have we eaten on the insane root’ - Banquo

Suspicion arises from Banquo towards Macbeth.
Banquo suspects the actions of Macbeth but never stops him during his life, suggesting he doesn’t mind the idea of his prophecy coming true faster as well.

‘What, can the devil speak true?’ - Banquo

‘Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor!’ - Macbeth

‘instruments of darkness’ - Banquo

Witches?
‘instruments’ - the witches may be controlling.
Banquo isn’t as deceived as Macbeth, and sees that the witches are manipulating him.

‘Whose horrid image’ - Macbeth

‘Lesser than Macbeth, and greater’ - Banquo

‘Not so happy, yet much happier’ - Second Witch

Highlights that Macbeth will get what he wants but it won’t make him happy.
The Witches use paradoxes and riddles to confuse Macbeth and Banquo and lead them astray.

‘Do you not hope your children shall be kings?’ - Macbeth

‘If chance will have me king’ - Macbeth

A gamble rather than fate
He would rather kill, as it seems like a move towards certainty.
He refuses to see it as automatic fate, and sees it as a suggestion - he wants to seize his opportunity quicker.

‘Think upon what hath chanced’ - Macbeth

Macbeth was written in the same period of the Gunpowder Plot - links to stories of betrayal.

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