Macbeth begins as the three witches (also called “the weird sisters”) appear and confront Macbeth and his friend, Banquo. The witches tell Macbeth of his destiny; he will become a thane in the Scottish nobility and eventually the King of Scotland. For Banquo, the witches foresee that his lineage will become a line of Scottish Kings. From the beginning, witchcraft and the “divine right to rule” are in motion, both of which are reflective of James’s interests. Macbeth and Banquo are skeptical of this interaction and the promises of the future until Macbeth is surprisingly promoted, just like the witches had said. This confirmation provoked Macbeth and Banquo’s imaginations about what else would come of their encounter, including the crowning
