The witches have an influence on Macbeth as the information they give definitely tempts Macbeth, although they do not actually tell him to kill Duncan. It’s Macbeth’s own interpretation of their words that make him decide upon this option. Initially they tell him that he will become Thane of Cawdor and also King of Scotland. When the prophecy of him becoming Thane of Cawdor comes true this fuels his ambition to know he will become king. Banquo warns Macbeth about trusting supernatural messages however Macbeth can think of nothing else. This suggests Macbeth is already under the witches spell as in the first scene “Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air,” he is seen to repeat the words of the witches. However we can see that Banquo thinks of them as evil, “What! Can the devil speak true?” but not Macbeth. Macbeth also wants to learn more about what the witches think as they are already getting to him “Strange intelligence? Or why upon this blasted health you stop our way with such prophetic greeting?”
The main theme that presents itself throughout the act is that of ambition. One quotation that Macbeth says that demonstrates this is in scene seven “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other. He says this when he has considered various reasons for not murdering Duncan; it is only his ambition that might upturn his thoughts. Additionally, Lady Macbeth and the witches all have strong powers over Macbeth, but they only have this influence over him because ambition is already deep rooted inside him. The witches wish to meet Macbeth not Banquo as they realise they won’t be able to corrupt him. At the beginning of the act it is also seen that Macbeth, “fears things that do sounds so fair,” this is because he has already treasonous thoughts due to his already desired ambitions. He is very mad when Malcolm becomes prince of Cumberland and his true ambitions shine, “Let not light see my black and deep desires.”
Another factor to be considered is that of chance. This is directly related to the witches because without their prophecy’s coming true Macbeth would never have believed he might one day be king. “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter.” At the end of the act we see that two of the above have already come true for Macbeth and now he feels he’s definitely going to be king.
The conclusion of this act shows that although Macbeth is a brave hero, his fatal weakness is that of ambition. Fuelled by his wife’s desire for him to become king and his belief in the witches’ prophecies, he decides that King Duncan must be killed. “False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”
By Stephen McIlwaine