Macbeth Group

Question:

sashay
sashay
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In "Macbeth," what predictions do the witches make about Macbeth's future?

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Posted by sashay on Sunday November 16, 2008 at 10:46 AM and tagged with character, macbeth, plot, witches.

Answers:


  1. troutmiller Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    They predict 2 events of Macbeth in the first Act.  They greet him with 3 different titles.  They hail him as "Thane of Glamis"--which he currently is.  Then they hail him as "Thane of Cawdor," which he is about to become because of his valiant efforts in battle.  Then they hail him as "King."  This last title is what creates the tragedy of the play.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/summary-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/three-witches-weird-sisters...
    http://www.folger.edu/template.cfm?cid=919

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    Posted by troutmiller on Sunday November 16, 2008 at 1:51 PM

  2. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    The first set of predictions, or prophecies may start the action of the tragedy in motion, but the second prophecy seals Macbeth's fate.

    In Act IV, Scene I, Macbeth visits the witches, he demands information about his future.  This second prophecy leads Macbeth to be more paranoid and results in his ordering the deaths of Macduff's family.

    The witches makes four mysterious predictions, that are more like warnings for Macbeth's future as king. 

    The first: Beware the Thane of Fife, Macduff.

    The second: "The power of man, for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth." (Act IV, Sc I)

    The third: "Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are:Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill
    Shall come against him."   

    The fourth: "A show of Eight Kings; the last with a glass in his hand: BANQUO'S Ghost following."

    "Macbeth is out of control and reacts without thought to his actions. He feels he must spill blood to remain in control and powerful. Once again Macbeth has innocent blood on his hands, and again, he feels no remorse. He is driven by his lust to control the situation and flex his power."

    Sources:
    http://www.absoluteshakespeare.com/plays/macbeth/a4s1.htm
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/act-iv-summary-analysis

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    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Sunday November 16, 2008 at 3:05 PM

  3. desertr
    desertr Student
    High School - 12th Grade

    what conflict arises in macbeth after the first prediction proves true?

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    Posted by desertr on Thursday February 26, 2009 at 11:22 PM

  4. desertr
    desertr Student
    High School - 12th Grade

    What personality trait of her husbands oes lady macbeth fear? what does this fear tell you about lady macbeths character?

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    Posted by desertr on Thursday February 26, 2009 at 11:31 PM