Shakespeare's Macbeth character transforms from a physically, mentally, and skillfully strong General of the Scottish army to a dictatorial, detested and defeated King of Scotland. "Macbeth" illustrates the complete fall from grace of a man not capable of dealing with the temptations of evil. Although it may seem that the witches persuaded Macbeth to commit the murder of Duncan, the idea of it was buried deep inside of him, locked away with his potent ambition, waiting to be stirred.
Prior to Macbeth's first meeting with the witches, he was an honorable, brave, and loyal man. He's portrayed as a valiant soldier who crushed a revolt led by Macdonwald, a rebel to the king. The King thinks very highly of Macbeth referring to him as his "worthiest cousin" (1.4.17). .
While Macbeth and his loyal friend Banquo are journeying to the castle, they encounter three witches. The witches pronounce prophecies that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and then king of Scotland and that Banquo's children will be kings. .
Banquo observes Macbeth as being fearful of the predictions. Macbeth's long-cherished ambition makes him see the two positions as within his reach. He accepts the witches" prophecies, jumping at any belief for the future that his ambition has in the past held before his mind. (Charlton162-163).
Macbeth soon learns that the Thane of Cawdor is guilty of treason and Macbeth will take his title. Macbeth is fully convinced that kingship is within his grasp. (Charlton 164) This prospect is broken when the King announces that his son Malcolm is Prince of Cumberland, or heir to the throne. This creates difficulty for Macbeth in his ambition to become king. He thinks "that is a step on which I must fall down or else o"erleap."(1.4.55-56) Macbeth now faces the choice of either killing the king or letting fate happen on its own. .
Macbeth writes a letter to his wife informing her about the witches and the prophecies.
