As Macbeth tries to come to terms with the startling news just presented to him, Banquo turns to the witches and asks them to suggest his future. Banquo’s feedback states that although he may not be king, he will father kings.
As the witches prepare to leave Macbeth interrupts, Macbeth already holds the title of Thane of Glamis a title past on from his deceased father. As he is still unaware of the fact that he is nearing another title, he wants to get the witches to clarify how they know such information. But they disappear.
Macbeth and Banquo are walking along trying to come to terms with what they have just heard when one of the king’s noblemen enters bringing the news of Macbeth’s new honour as Thane of Cawdor. With this news comes more confidence for Macbeth in what the witches have said to him, having heard the news also, Banquo is wary of what he has heard and tries to alarm Macbeth of the evil that can come from such news. Even with the intervention of Banquo calming words, Macbeth can only think of the throne and seems infatuated with his newfound news.
In Act 1, Scene 4, the King and his entourage are discussing the execution of Cawdor when Macbeth and company arrive. Macbeth takes all honours and words placed upon him. It is decided that they all should move on to Macbeth’s castle to bound their newfound friendship. Macbeth decides to ride on to break his glorious news to his wife, on the way he now begins to think like a truly obsessed man who is now calculating what stands in his way as he dreams to become king.
In Act 1, Scene 5, Lady Macbeth receives news outlining her husbands conquest and the honour bestowed on his head, her thoughts also turn to evil when she hears the attendance of the King to their home. When Macbeth arrives they discuss the prospect of ending the Kings reign to pave the way for Macbeth to make the last prophecy come true.
Act 1, Scene 7, With the King already present, Macbeth and his wife discuss the wicked deed they intend on carrying out. Macbeth’s judgment seems to be unclear because all he can think of he is being King and he feels he must act soon to become King. With everything set from the murder weapon to the alibi, they again discuss the forthcoming events, it is now evident that Macbeth is having second thoughts. Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth that it is in their best interests to succeed and they come to agreement that they will carry out the murder of the King.
Act 2, Scene 1, Banquo and Fleance his son arrives, on speaking to Macbeth, Banquo asks him about their encounter with the witches. Macbeth passes the remark off, and suggests they speak in later times. The cold, calculated side of Macbeth now becomes evident, he dismisses his guests and now sets his sights on what he feels is bringing him a step nearer to his destiny. The dreaded act of cold blooded murder is carried out leaving the two guards implicated, signs of remorse start to set in Macbeth, but some strong words from his wife take place and the murderer’s disappear.
Act 2, Scene 3. Macbeth is alerted to the arrival of Macduff and Lennox. They proceed to do the job they had come to, awaking the King. On trying to carry out their chore it becomes public knowledge that the King has been murdered. The Macbeth couple keeps up the act of innocent hosts and make sure that the majority of guests see how distraught they are at such a vicious occurrence could take place. The King’s sons decide that they could be next so they decide to disburse leaving the coast clear for Macbeth to be King.
Act 2, Scene 4. Next day rumours are strive that the King’s sons hired men to murder the King, although Macduff would not be a great believer in this theory and he decides to leave.
In Act 3, Scene 1 Macbeth persists in keeping up the act that it was the King’s sons who carried out the evil act. Having been named King, Macbeth thinks about what the witches had said about Banquo fathering kings, as he has just been bestowed with the honour is does wish to give it up. So in consultation with two murderers Macbeth decides it is in his best interests for Banquo and his son to be killed.
In Act 3, Scene 3 Banquo is killed but his son escapes.
In Act 3, Scene 4 a banquet is in progression, After hearing the death of his one time friend Banquo, Macbeth seems unrepentant but is soon hunted by the ghost of his old friend. On seeing the ghost Macbeth becomes startled and mumbles to the ghost, his wife intervenes trying to settle him down, the ghost disappears and on receiving stern words Macbeth settles. The ghost reappears and Macbeth tries to battle with his guilt until finally it disappears soon followed by the guests.
Act 4, Scene 1 sees the return of the witches, shortly followed by Macbeth. Macbeth seeks further knowledge, on speaking to the witches an apparition appears, it is a head wearing armour. It tells him to be aware of Macduff.
A second apparition appears stating that no man born of a woman will harm him
A third apparition faces him – a child, crowned, with a tree in his hand.
The message concluded that Macbeth would never be vanquished till Great Birnam Wood advances against him to the high hill at Dunsinane.
Macbeth grows in confidence believing what he is told and sees no way that the latter could ever happen. He then proceeds to ask if Banquo’s son will ever reign in this kingdom. After some deliberation it becomes clear that Banquo’s son will be King. Then the witches vanish.
Macbeth continues his murder trail, now the Macduff family is next. Macduff himself is in England with Malcolm discussing his beliefs about the wayward Macbeth. News reaches about the murder of Macduff’s family and the decision is made to rid Scotland of the evil Macbeth.
With the English army led by Malcolm and Macduff fast approaching, Angus decides that they should probably meet near Birnam Wood.
In Act 5, Scene 3. Macbeth is full of confidence and is almost feeling immortal as he remembers what the witches had told him. His confidence is now spiraling into cockiness when he addresses Seton.
Act 5, Scene 5, Macbeth still feel somewhat indestructible and when he is greeted with the news that his wife has passed away he feels no sorrow, no pain, no grief he is focused on the job at hand.
More news this time, only that this seems to startle him. It is about the wood moving. Macbeth takes this in and as the adrenaline starts to pump he feels he is ready for battle.
In Act 5, Scene 7 Macbeth still feel unbeatable clinging on to the fact that he can only be killed by a man not born of a woman.
Macbeth and Macduff engage in battle, Macbeth states that Macduff is no match as only a man not born of a woman can kill him. Macduff knock the confidence out of Macbeth by stating he was taken form his mother’s womb. Macbeth knowing he has no way back decides to fight on which inevitability leads to his death as Macduff brings his head back on a stake and declares Malcolm the new King.
Conclusion
What the witches prophesied to Macbeth was open to interpretation. Macbeth was hungry for reward and power; his determination to succeed ‘blinkered’ him from actually understanding what the witches were saying. It could be said that as the witches knew Macbeth’s future they tricked him into his own death knowing that his greed and thirst for power would inevitably lead to his downfall.
Macbeth’s obsession for the prophecies to come true and more or less instantly meant he had to keep murdering to succeed and keep the truth of his evil plot at bay. And although sometimes Macbeth weakened his cunning wife was always on hand to point in the direction of being King no matter what stood in the way.
After the death of his wife, Macbeth became more obsessed with the thought of being invincible. He felt no one could do him any harm and as he became more ruthless his death was fast approaching. He was naïve to think that he could not be killed and would have been better suited to analyse and evaluate what the witches had said to him.