The first things the witches say to Macbeth are prophecies, predictions for the future. ... Macbeth begins to get frightened of how he will become king. ... The next scene, scene 4, features Duncan, the King. ... But still he leaves the scene with a decision to act on what the future could hold. ... This relates to what Banquo said when he saw the witches for the first time: "By each at once her choppy finger laying Upon her skinny lips. ...

• Word Count: 2837
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

The King had an interest in theatre and overlooked the contents of the play. ... The King's escape may have influenced Shakespeare to contain this theme and show that anyone who tried to murder the King and take his divine right away would be killed. ... At the time it was also believed that Banquo was an ancestor of the King. ... The witches are also to blame as they start of this whole sequence of events leading to the Macbeth killing Duncan and his behaviour afterwards, as they equivocate about his future and deceive him. ... Once Banquo leaves there is another soliloquy, in which M...

• Word Count: 3194
• Approx Pages: 13
• Grade Level: High School

The latter notices, on the night of the king's death, that the stars are not shining, meaning that the murder does occur in complete darkness: "There's husbandry in heaven;/ Their candles are all out" (II.i.4-5). ... Indeed, once Banquo meets them, he questions them on their humanity: "What are these,/ So withered and so wild in their atire/ That look not like th" inhabitants o" this earth/ And yet are on "t? ... Had the witches never spoken to Macbeth about his future, he and his wife never would have got into their heads the idea that Macbeth may one day be king, and thus would not...

• Word Count: 2650
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School