My Perspectives: British and World Literature Grade 12, Volume One-page 276-Answers

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The three prophecy that the witches predict are that 1) Macbeth will become King of Scotland, 2) that he will also be named Thane of Cawdor, and 3) That Banquo’s heirs will be kings.

Lady Macbeth fears that Macbeth is not up for the task of killing the king when he is their guest. This act would fulfill the witches prophecy, which is what she wants. She worries that Macbeth will be, “It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness (270), and not kill the king.

ACT 1: Three witches introduce the audience to a character called Macbeth, who is a soldier that is slated to become the next “Thane of Cawdor”. Later, when Macbeth returns from battle and disembowelment, he and his friends discuss the prophecy and the expectations, in which the current Thane of Cawdor was killed for being a traitor. A character named the Captain goes off to be treated, and Macbeth has plans to have King Duncan as a guest. His wife, Lady Macbeth, initiated an idea to kill the king, and gives herself over to the witch’s power. She convinces Macbeth to kill the king, citing his manhood and power, and Macbeth ultimately gives in.

Research to Clarify

Example: In researching the word “thane” it is defined as a person who owns land directly from the King, and was common in the Shakespearean times of Scotland.This land was usually a gift for service, so it would make sense that Macbeth would receive land for his heroic war service to the current king.

Research to Exp>

Some examples include:”The Three Witches” by Alexandre- Marie Colinor “Macbeth and the Witches” by Granger. Both can be found online and in reproductions.