The first witch hails Macbeth, then calls him Thane Of Glamis. This was Macbeth's current title. The second does the same but calls him Thane of Cawdor, a title Macbeth thinks is owned by another person. The third witch says:.
"All hail Macbeth, thou shalt be King hereafter!".
This is a prediction from the witches, that Macbeth will become King. Banquo questions the witches" speech and remains calm. He asks them what they have to say to him and is told that his children shall be Kings. Macbeth becomes worried and very curious towards the witches. He questions them of how these prophecies are so. He cannot understand how he could be Thane of Cawdor, as there is someone of that title still alive and believes Kingship would be unthinkable. He gets annoyed but the witches vanish and Macbeth is left with no explanation. .
Macbeth and Banquo talk shortly about what just happened, checking that they heard the witches correctly. Ross and Angus enter and tell Macbeth of the good news that he is to be given the title Thane Of Cawdor by the King. Macbeth receives the news well but is still questionable:.
"The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me .
In borrowed robes?".
Angus confirms with Macbeth that the current Thane of Cawdor is to be killed because of his loss to Macbeth in the battle. Macbeth looks forward to the next prophecy coming true, as the first two have already proven so. Although Banquo has good news too, he is unsure that what is happening is right. He believes that the witches are evil and even though they bring wonderful things, they speak the devils words and can tempt people to darkness. .
" But "tis strange:.
And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,.
The instruments of darkness tell us truth,.
Win us with honest trifles, to betray's.
In deepest consequence.".
.
Macbeth begins to get frightened of how he will become king. He says to himself that the picture of murdering Duncan, to be crowned, horrifies him.
