The three sisters begin their prophecies by predicting that Macbeth will become 'Thane of Cowdor!'. Macbeth cannot understand the fact that these Witches are telling him he is to become a higher rank. As well as this, the 'Thane of Cowdor' is still alive which makes him unconvinced. Afterwards, the Witches predict another prophecy, 'That shalt be King hereafter!'. An ambitious person such as Macbeth will be delighted and tempted at the fact that he may be King. The Witches have planted their seeds in Macbeth's mind to try and play with his weakness, ambition against his nature, to commit the 'foul' deed.
The villainous Witches are very direct, therefore expresses their ideas and predictions quickly which frightens and mystifies Macbeth. He is in such shock, that Banquo reacts quickly and speaks first. Banquo does not understand why Macbeth is disturbed. He believes that Macbeth should be happy with his predicted future. In fact, Banquo is so jealous of Macbeth and desperate that he asks the mysterious Witches 'to me you speak not... speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear'. The Witches third prophecy is 'lesser than Macbeth, and greater'. This means that the Witches are predicting that Banquo would be 'lesser' because he would keep the title, 'a Scottish Thane' whereas Macbeth would be promoted from 'Thane of Glamis' to 'Thane of Cowdor' and would become King 'hereafter'. However, Banquo would be 'greater' in the long run because he does not have the flaw of ambition. As well as this, Macbeth will get to the thrown and lose it whereas Banquo's descendants will reign.
The obnoxious Witches then pronounce that Banquo will be 'not so happy, yet much happier'. This paradox means that Banquo will not be as fortunate as Macbeth; to become King or to be as wealthy. Banquo would be happier as he would leave behind a family, and by that family line, Banquo would become the ancestor to a long line of Kings. Macbeth, on the other hand would have no family to carry on his reign.
The last prophecy that the Witches say is 'thou shalt get kings, though though be none'. This emphasises the fact that Banquo will not be King, however his children or descendants will be. The Witches try and confuse the two so that they cause conflict. Macbeth finally gets his ability back to speak and wants to find out more, 'tell me more'. He is once again confused and shows his ambition by wanting to find out where they got their information from. He wants to find out how long 'hereafter' is, if it is in twenty years or thirty years? The Witches supernaturally flee which is ironic as their aim is to play mind games with Macbeth.
Both Macbeth and Banquo are very surprised that the Witches disappeared. They both believe that they might have dreamt or fantasised about it. Macbeth is both emotionally and physically effected. Macbeth seems like a very 'fair' and decent man but is twisted when the Witches predict his future. He apologises to Banquo 'come what, come may' when he realises his attitude was not right towards him. This ends Act I, Scene III in great suspense.
