![]() Shakespeare has used child imagery in the play several times. This apparition warns him of the danger from Macduff and it confirms Macbeth’s next action which is to kill him and before doing so, he kills his family. By this time, Macbeth has already doubted Macduff. The first apparition is ahead with a helmet as armour on it. This time, under the influence of Hecate, they equivocate in a better way. Once Macbeth has progressed as per the first confrontation with the three witches, they reveal themselves to him again. This is when we understand how Macbeth is trying to correct whatever sounds dangerous to him in the prophecies which means he is trying to control his own fate. At the same time, hearing this, Macbeth perceives of Banquo as a threat and the second murder after Duncan is that of Banquo. He disqualifies them as dark evil forces which deceive even in its truth. How Banquo reacts after listening to this tells us of his clear conscience. Confusing both of them further, they address Banquo as “ lesser than Macbeth, and greater,” “ not so happy, yet much happier.” And they predict that Banquo shall have kings in his coming generations but he will never be king by himself. The second prophecy of the three witches from the first meeting was for Banquo. The fact that Duncan declares Malcolm as the heir to the throne alarms him and he wants nothing to cloud the prophecy and as an imminent possibility, he observes what Lady Macbeth says and kills Duncan. ![]() The moment Duncan awards him with the title of the Thane of Cawdor, he firmly starts believing in the prophecies. ![]() This prophecy plays an important role in the progress of the play because it sets the forthcoming actions which are by Macbeth when he tries to earn the power in a shortcut way under the influence of Lady Macbeth. As we come to know further in the play, this prophecy is in closest relation to Macbeth’s inner desire for absolute power which is kingship. Their first prophecy is for Macbeth when they hail him as the Thane of Glamis, the Thane of Cawdor and the one who shall be king hereafter. ![]()
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