rway with news of victory, due mostly to Macbeths bravery. Other soldiers enter and report that Macdonwald, the Thane of Cawdor, assisted theenemy, but that Duncans forces had won despite the betrayal. King Duncan declares a deathsentence on Macdonwald and bestows his title (Thane of Cawdor) upon Macbeth, who has not yetreturned or been told of this honor.In Holinsheds (pg. 168-170) Makdonwald, the Thane of Cawdor, rebels against theKing with the assistance of troops from Ireland. Makbeth and Banquho are dispatched toput down the rebellion. Shakespeare deviates from Holinsheds here, by saying thatMacbeth defeats Macdonwald in battle, while in Holinsheds, Makdonwald, seeing the sizeand ferocity of Makbeths forces, kills his family and then himself, as to avoid capture.Makbeth finds the body, decapitates the slain noble and parades around withMakdonwalds head on a pole, then chases the recently arrived army from Norway back totheir ships. For Makbeths courage and tactics in battle, he is granted the slain Thaneslands and riches.Macbeth and his friend Banquo encounter the witches on their way home from thebattlefield. The witches call to Macbeth, saying: All hail!" (I, iii, 47-50) calling him by hispresent title, the Thane of Glamis, as well as the Thane of Cawdor, and proclaiming that he shaltbe King hereafter". Macbeth, having not yet heard of his promotion to Thane of Cawdor isconfused. But the idea of becoming king intrigues him. Banquo asks the witches about theirpredictions for him, and they respond, in their usual ways of half-truths and contradiction, that hewill be "Lesser than Macbeth, and greater, Not so happy yet much happier and Though shaltget kings though thou be none" (I, iii, 65-67). Macbeth demands that the witches give him anexplanation for their prophecy, but they vanish. Soon after this strange occurrence, Macbeth and Banquo are greeted by the King'smessengers. They inform Macbeth of his new title, the Thane of...
