The Witches introduce the conflict in Macbeth by announcing their prophecies of Macbeth and Banquo’s future, which inadvertently reveals Macbeth’s subconscious avarice and lust for power. In the first moments of the Witches’ encounter with Macbeth and Banquo, they reveal their future. In fact, when the Witches first address Macbeth, they hail him as the Thane of Glamis and the Thane of Cawdor; however, they also imply that Macbeth will be king in the near future (1.3.46-48). After listening to the Witches’ prophecy, Macbeth recognizes not only that he will become the thane of Cawdor, but he also realizes “that [he] shalt be king hereafter” (1.3.46-48). Unfortunately, the Witches’ unspoken promise does not address exactly how the prophecies
…show more content…
Directly after Macbeth and Banquo hear this prediction, Banquo demands to hear a promise of his own future. The Witches then proceed to state that Banquo will be “lesser than Macbeth, and greater/… /Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (1.3.63-65). Although the Witches’ prophecy of Banquo’s future appears to have little to do with Macbeth’s future, it reveals that regardless of Banquo’s status, his kin will endure as royalty. The notion that Banquo’s family legacy will continue to grow and evolve and Macbeth’s lack thereof a family legacy will foster Macbeth’s hidden avarice. Therefore when Macbeth believes he has the power to decide the future of Scotland, his insatiable greed will cause him to attempt to murder Banquo and his son Fleance in order to prevent Banquo’s promise of power from becoming a reality. Solely from the Witches’ prophecy of Macbeth and Banquo’s futures, the reader can detect the true qualities of Macbeth’s subconscious as they begin to develop, and they can later see exactly how his subconscious begins to influence his …show more content…
Following their weird encounter with the witches, Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth’s description of the events that carried out that day. In the letter, Macbeth states the witches saluted him as the future king, and he believes that Lady Macbeth should celebrate his potential (1.5.8-11). In the letter entailing his encounter with the witches that Macbeth sends to his beloved partner Lady Macbeth, the reader sees that within his words Macbeth has a secret lust for power. The reader can see how news of potential power affects Macbeth, and exactly how together, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, begin to feel the first effect of the immense temptation of power. Later, Lady Macbeth greets Macbeth from battle and reveals her revelations from his letter. She tells Macbeth that “thy letters have transported [her] beyond / This ignorant present, and [she] feel[s] now / The future in the instant” (1.5.52-56). News of Macbeth’s possible powerful future has excited Lady Macbeth beyond belief. She sees the potential and the power within the prophecy, and she chooses to act on it. Instead of ignoring the temptations that fester within their desires and letting fate take control, they choose to reach out and obtain their future. The reader learns from their ambitions that they will stop at nothing
Directly after Macbeth and Banquo hear this prediction, Banquo demands to hear a promise of his own future. The Witches then proceed to state that Banquo will be “lesser than Macbeth, and greater/… /Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (1.3.63-65). Although the Witches’ prophecy of Banquo’s future appears to have little to do with Macbeth’s future, it reveals that regardless of Banquo’s status, his kin will endure as royalty. The notion that Banquo’s family legacy will continue to grow and evolve and Macbeth’s lack thereof a family legacy will foster Macbeth’s hidden avarice. Therefore when Macbeth believes he has the power to decide the future of Scotland, his insatiable greed will cause him to attempt to murder Banquo and his son Fleance in order to prevent Banquo’s promise of power from becoming a reality. Solely from the Witches’ prophecy of Macbeth and Banquo’s futures, the reader can detect the true qualities of Macbeth’s subconscious as they begin to develop, and they can later see exactly how his subconscious begins to influence his …show more content…
Following their weird encounter with the witches, Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth’s description of the events that carried out that day. In the letter, Macbeth states the witches saluted him as the future king, and he believes that Lady Macbeth should celebrate his potential (1.5.8-11). In the letter entailing his encounter with the witches that Macbeth sends to his beloved partner Lady Macbeth, the reader sees that within his words Macbeth has a secret lust for power. The reader can see how news of potential power affects Macbeth, and exactly how together, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, begin to feel the first effect of the immense temptation of power. Later, Lady Macbeth greets Macbeth from battle and reveals her revelations from his letter. She tells Macbeth that “thy letters have transported [her] beyond / This ignorant present, and [she] feel[s] now / The future in the instant” (1.5.52-56). News of Macbeth’s possible powerful future has excited Lady Macbeth beyond belief. She sees the potential and the power within the prophecy, and she chooses to act on it. Instead of ignoring the temptations that fester within their desires and letting fate take control, they choose to reach out and obtain their future. The reader learns from their ambitions that they will stop at nothing