The play, Macbeth, begins with three witches plotting to meet with Macbeth upon a heath. We first hear of Macbeth and his loyal friend Banquo, through a caption in the King’s army who speaks of their bravery in defeating the enemy: Norway and capturing a traitor: the Thane of Cawdor. Duncan, the King of Scotland, sentences the Thane of Cawdor to death and rewards Macbeth with this title.
Macbeth and Banquo meet the three witches who deliver a prophecy to the two regarding their futures. Macbeth is told that he will become the Thane of Cawdor and then go on to become the King of Scotland. Banquo is then told that his sons will become kings. Macbeth demands to know more but the witches disappear. Soon after, Macbeth is met by Ross – a messenger from the king – and he learns that he has become the new Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is both amazed and frightened that the prediction made by the witches has come true. Banquo has an idea that the witches may have been evil. Macbeth strongly considers the possibility of the other forecast of the witches becoming true: that he will be King and he begins to think about murdering King Duncan. Macbeth is terrified by these treacherous thoughts and he hides his evil feelings from Banquo and lies to him.
