In Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth,’ the witches make several key predictions about Macbeth and Banquo. These prophecies set the stage for the unfolding drama and influence the characters’ actions throughout the play.
For Macbeth, the witches predict that he will become the Thane of Cawdor and eventually the King of Scotland. They greet him with the titles he currently holds and those he will soon acquire:
1. ‘All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!’ (his current title).
2. ‘All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!’ (a title he is about to receive).
3. ‘All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!’ (a prophecy of his future kingship).
These predictions ignite Macbeth’s ambition and set him on a path of treachery and murder to achieve the throne.
For Banquo, the witches make a different kind of prediction. They tell him:
1. ‘Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.’
This means that while Banquo himself will not be king, his descendants will inherit the throne. This prophecy is significant because it hints at the future lineage of Scottish kings, which includes Banquo’s son, Fleance.
These predictions create a sense of inevitability and fate, driving the actions of both Macbeth and Banquo. Macbeth’s desire to fulfill the witches’ prophecies leads him down a dark path, while Banquo’s prophecy adds an element of hope and continuity for the future of Scotland.