me against him." Each of these prophecies is also fulfilled in the course of the book, but they are incredibly misleading. This is done purposefully by the witches for the sake of confusion and overconfidence on Macbeth’s part, since they, as a general rule, conspire to injure mere mortals. Especially the last two prophecies instill a sense of invincibility in Macbeth, and encourage him to continue on his course just as his resolve begins to weaken. This false sense of fate and power on his part is a major factor in his downfall. So, the witches influence Macbeth by causing his ascension, his madness, and his demise. In the case of Macbeth, first and last ruler of that name, his natural state is released and augmented by the influence of others. His King provided a reason for contempt and the opportunity to assume the throne, his wife encouraged him to step forward and fulfill his destiny, and the witches make both Macbeth and his mate believe that it is possible and inevitable. When one’s self and one’s surroundings agree with one another, a single path is opened as a possibility to the mind. Macbeth was bound to his actions as a lion is bound to kill or a bird is bound to fly. The message itself is clear enough; that no man is an island. Every person relies on the influences of those around him or her in order to form conceptions and decisions. Humans are truly social creatures, and Macbeth is a wonderful example of this communal nature of man. ...
