# Scene III explained — Macbeth

> Chapter companion for Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

On a heath near Forres, the three witches meet and discuss their malicious deeds. Macbeth and Banquo encounter them, and the witches deliver prophecies: Macbeth is hailed as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and future king; Banquo is told he will beget kings though not be one. Ross and Angus arrive to inform Macbeth that he has been granted the title Thane of Cawdor, confirming part of the prophecy. Macbeth is inwardly shaken by the implications, contemplating murderous thoughts, while Banquo warns of the deceptive nature of evil forces.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ambition and Power

Macbeth's immediate reaction to the prophecy reveals his latent ambition, as he contemplates murder to achieve the crown.

### Supernatural and Evil

The witches embody supernatural evil, using half-truths to lure Macbeth toward his downfall, as Banquo warns.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The witches' prophecies appear favorable but conceal dangerous consequences; Macbeth's new title seems honorable yet fuels treacherous thoughts.

## Character check-ins

### Macbeth

Receives prophecies from the witches and is granted the title Thane of Cawdor; his mind begins to entertain dark ambitions.

### Banquo

Witnesses the prophecies and warns Macbeth about the deceptive nature of the witches' truths.

### Three Witches

Convene on the heath, share tales of mischief, and deliver prophetic greetings to Macbeth and Banquo.

### Ross

Arrives with Angus to inform Macbeth of his new title, Thane of Cawdor, as a reward for his valor.

### Angus

Accompanies Ross to deliver the king's thanks and confirm Macbeth's new title.

## Key lines

> All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis! / All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! / All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!

The witches greet Macbeth with three titles: his current one, a new one, and the promise of kingship.

_This triple prophecy sets the plot in motion, sparking Macbeth's ambition._

> If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, / Without my stir.

Macbeth muses that if fate intends him to be king, it might happen without any action on his part.

_Reveals Macbeth's internal conflict between passive acceptance of fate and active pursuit of power._

> And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths, / Win us with honest trifles, to betray's / In deepest consequence.

Banquo warns that evil forces often tell small truths to gain trust, only to lead us to ruin.

_Foreshadows the deceptive nature of the witches' prophecies and Macbeth's tragic path._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/chapters