The Weird Sisters Prophecies In Macbeth

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The weird sisters prophecies ignite Macbeth's ambition setting events in motion by telling him that he will be king. “ 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” (1.3.48-50). At first Macbeth does not wholeheartedly believe that the weird sisters prophecies will come to be, but realizes they may hold some truth. Shortly after the weird sisters vanish, Ross who was sent by the king, announces that Macbeth will be named Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth recognizes that one of the prophecies has come true and begins to trust them, “Two truths are told, As happy prologues to the swelling act/ Of the imperial theme” (1.3.128-29). Currently the weird …show more content…

However, Macbeth has reservations regarding his logic; “He’s here in double trust: first, as I am his kinsman and his subject,/Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, /Who should against his murderer shut the door, /Not bear the knife myself” …show more content…

A bloody child is the second apparition which tells Macbeth, “Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn/ The power of man, for none of woman born/ Shall harm Macbeth” (4.1.79-81).The apparition reveals that nobody born from a woman would ever harm him. Macbeth now feels that he has nothing to fear from Macduff or anyone, if he cannot be killed by someone born from a women. The third apparition of a crowned child with a tree in his hand reinforces Macbeth's arrogance by saying, “Macbeth shall never vanquished be until/ Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill/ Shall come against him” (4.1.92-94). Macbeth feels safe and secure, because he knows that all men are born of women and that forests cannot move. “Let them fly all./Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane/ I cannot taint with fear” (5.3.1-3). Trusting the weird sisters and their apparitions Macbeth does not attempt to prepare himself or flee. According to the second apparition no man born of women can harm him, creating a sense of invincibility and fearlessness: “Was he not born of woman? The spirits that know/ All mortal consequences have pronounced me thus:/“Fear not, Macbeth. No man that’s born of woman/ Shall e'er have power upon thee.” (5.3.4-7). Macbeth awaits the arrival of the army sent to overthrow him, certain that the weird sisters prophecies guarantee his safety. However, he is struck with fear when he learns that the

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