" All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!" (1.
This one prophecy, told by the three witches, changed the course of the entire play and ultimately caused a chain reaction of temptation, murder, and fate to control the life of Macbeth.
The three witches in Macbeth are introduced at the beginning of the play. They tell Macbeth three prophecies: "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"(1.3.48-50).
Macbeth thinks nothing of the first prophecies until he realizes that the second prophecy has come true. King Duncan has pronounced Macbeth Thane of Cawdor. He says, "No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive/Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death/And with his former title greet Macbeth"(1.2.64-66).
This one action shows that the witches have the ability to reverse the natural order of things. By doing this, the witches encourage Macbeth to consider his future. In the play, these three witches have the ability to foresee the future and as a result, they can influence Macbeth. However, they only tell him the prophecies and apparitions; none of the witches hold the dagger that kills Duncan or have murderers assigned to kill Banquo and MacDuff's family. Macbeth is the only one who takes the prophecies to the next level. The idea of free choice over fate is introduced as a result of the actions Macbeth chooses in regards to the witches prophecies.
Macbeth realizes that one prophecy has come true, which gives the witches more credibility. As a result, he assumes the third prophecy will also come true. However, King Duncan and his eldest son, Malcolm stand in his way. Macbeth comments, "The Prince of Cumberland (Malcolm)- that is a step/On which I must fall down or else o"erleap,/For in my way it lies"(1.4.48-50). .
Macbeth sent a letter to Lady Macbeth explaining the witches" prophecy.