Three Prophecies In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'

Throughout the story of Macbeth the witches told him his fate for the future. They spoke of things unbelievable to the mortal ear; things unpredictable. They made claims on what they saw in his future, what would be due to his actions.

In the beginning the Three Weird Sisters told Macbeth three prophecies that had yet to come true. They called to him “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! / All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! / All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!” (pg. 17/18) Macbeth had already earned the title Thane of Glamis at his father, Sinel’s death; which means that one of the three prophecies had been proven true. On the other hand, there were two more that were at hand and not yet proven so. When Macbeth is greeted he is told that the king is awaiting him with the title “Thane of Cawdor” ㅡ the witches second prophecy ㅡ

There are people who believe the events that happen throughout the story are due to the witches prophecies, while others believe it is merely due to the choices Macbeth made on his own. There is a truth to both sides. When the witches told Macbeth his fate they had used their magic to know exactly what to tell him. But the course of the story is run by how Macbeth acts; if he had done something differently at
The first told him “Beware Macduff; / Beware the Thane of Fife.” (pg. 121) meaning he shall fear that Macduff may seek revenge. The second tells him “The pow’r of man, for none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth.” (pg. 121) meaning that if a man is not born from a woman (or of natural birth) he can not harm Macbeth. Finally, the third prophecy tells “Macbeth shall never vanquished be until / Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill / Shall come against him.” (pg. 123) meaning until the trees of Birnam Wood came to the Castle on Dunsinane Hill, he shall live on as