Cawdor. Macbeth tells Banquothat this is proof that the witches' prophecies are true. Macbeth's continues to think aboutbecoming king, and he wonders if he will have to commit murder to attain what he has beenpromised . The scene ends with Macbeth whispering to Banquo that they must discuss all that hashappened at a more appropriate time. This scene was taken almost verbatim from Holinsheds. Makbeth and Banquhoencountered the witches or weird sisters and were greeted with All haile, Makbeth, thaneof Glammis!, Haile, Makbeth, thane of Cawder!, All haile, Makbeth, that heereaftershalt be king of Scotland! (pg. 170). Banquho then inquires about his future, the witchesreply: we promise greater benefits unto thee, than unto him, for he shall reigne indeed, butwith an unluckie end: neither shall he leave anie issue behind him to succeed in his place,where contrailie thou in deed shalt not reigne at all, but of thee those shall be borne whichshall governe the Scottish kingdome by long order of continuall descent. Macbeth and Banquo travel back to Duncan's castle. Duncan expresses his gratitude tothe two generals. Duncan then announces that he has decided to name his oldest son Malcolm,Prince of Cumberland and heir to the throne. Ostensibly, Macbeth replies with joy, but he realizesthat this is one more thing preventing him from obtaining the crown. He invites King Duncan to afeast at his castle that evening, Macbeth then goes to write a letter to his wife to inform her of theKings anticipated arrival. In Holinsheds (pg. 171), over dinner, Banquho comments on how two of thewitches prophecies have been fulfilled and how Makbeths prophesied rise to the thronestill remains. King Duncane names his eldest son, Malcolme, Prince of Cumberland andheir to the throne. By doing this, King Duncane broke Scottish tradition in that the mostworthy of the kinsmen were to ascend to the throne. Makbeth began to contemplate how hewould go about rising to power, ...
