The Power of Prophecy

Macbeth is a dark and chilling tale, filled with political intrigue, visions of ghosts, and prophecies that fulfill themselves in the most astonishing of ways. And yet for all its special effects, settings and unexpected twists, the power of Macbeth lies not so much in plot, as in characters. The journeys they take side-by-side yet in wholly different worlds, reflect in many cases the balance of evil and good; of right and wrong; of actions and their consequences. As the name of this play implies, its main character is the haunted Macbeth, but other crucial roles come into play which help make Macbeth who he is: Lady Macbeth, Banquo, The Three Witches with their apparitions, and Macduff.

The illustrious Lady Macbeth, wife of Lord Macbeth, enters the play as she receives a letter from her husband, detailing to her a sight he has seen and a prophecy heard. ‘Ambitious’ being the best word to describe this lady, her immediate reaction to the words “-these weird sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time, with 'Hail, king that shalt be!'” is: “Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear; And chastise with the valour of my tongue” speaking later of ambition and the need to act upon the weird sisters’ words. However, after the deed of slaying King Duncan is done, Lady Macbeth’s character, though remaining stable for a little time, falls into madness. Eventually, the guilt of what she has done drives her to commit suicide, and so she is justly repaid, by her conscience, for her crime.

On the other end of the character-spectrum we have Banquo, closest friend of Macbeth, who at the same time as his friend receives an interesting prophecy: “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater … Not so happy, yet much happier … Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none: So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!” exclaim the three sisters successively. Banquo, promised not a kingship, but kings he shall ‘get’? As the characters rightly reason, this points to how while Banquo will never be king, his descendants shall be. Unlike Macbeth, Banquo does not pursue this prophecy but leaving well-enough alone, is eventually rewarded. Not, however, before his death. Remaining faithful first to King Duncan, then King Macbeth, he is assassinated by orders of the latter and returns to haunt Macbeth, pushing him even further towards the brink of insanity. At the end of the story we see Banquo’s son has survived.

But who gave all these prophecies, which to those that hear them prove fatal and more? So the spot-light turns and lands on a triad of weird-looking figures: the three witches. Although represented by three persons, this group is, for all reasons within the story, really just one character: the person of prophecy, but with many tongues. These witches are the first to enter upon the stage, and as they come and go throughout the play, their successive prophecies help drive Macbeth to his doom. The first is that which tells him he will become king, and he taking it, he makes such so. Because Macbeth was present when Banquo’s own prophecy of kingship was given, he uses that knowledge, and in order to preserve his own line, has Banquo murdered. The second prophecy, which Macbeth attains by seeking out the weird sisters himself, tells of how Macbeth must “Beware Macduff!” “-none of woman born shall harm Macbeth!” “Macbeth shall never be vanquish’d until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come.”

And that is how Macduff, the nobleman, comes into play. After hearing these prophecies, Macbeth attempts having Macduff murdered, but is only able to kill Macduff’s wife and children. The nobleman, once he hears of this, pledges revenge on Macbeth. When they meet and battle in the second-to-last scene of the play, Macduff reveals that “Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripped!” so fulfilling the ‘none of woman born’ prophecy. In the last scene, Macduff enters carrying Macbeth’s severed head. And so the record is put right, all foul deeds paid for, and the witches disappear to laugh behind their sleeves at the mortals and their kingly mess.