The Witches’ Prophecies

The Killer

This flow follows the Witches’ predictions and shows how their words help create the ambitions and betrayals they appear merely to foresee.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Macbett Named Macbett Named from "The Killer". Macbett Named First Prediction The Witches hail Macbett as thane of Candor and then thane of Glamiss, although the latter title is not yet his.

Macbett Named from "The Killer". Macbett Named First Prediction The Witches hail Macbett as thane of Candor and then thane of Glamiss, although the latter title is not yet his.

Macbett Named First Prediction The Witches hail Macbett as thane of Candor and then thane of Glamiss, although the latter title is not yet his. Suspicion Introduced Their knowledge makes ordinary political events seem part of a larger design.

Banco’s Counterprophecy Banco’s Counterprophecy from "The Killer". Banco’s Counterprophecy A Different Future The Witches tell Banco that he will not be king but will father a dynasty.

Banco’s Counterprophecy from "The Killer". Banco’s Counterprophecy A Different Future The Witches tell Banco that he will not be king but will father a dynasty.

Banco’s Counterprophecy A Different Future The Witches tell Banco that he will not be king but will father a dynasty. Rivalry Formed The prediction creates a future claim that later makes Banco dangerous in Macbett’s eyes.

The Kingly Promise The Kingly Promise from "The Killer". The Kingly Promise Ambition Addressed The Witches insist that Macbett is worthy of the throne and that his loyalty conceals a desire to rule.

The Kingly Promise Ambition Addressed The Witches insist that Macbett is worthy of the throne and that his loyalty conceals a desire to rule. Seduction Through Certainty Their promise offers a future that feels ordained while urging him toward the acts that will bring it about.

Prophecy Becomes Suspicion Prophecy Becomes Suspicion from "The Killer". Prophecy Becomes Suspicion Banco as Threat Macbett interprets the promise of Banco’s descendants as an attack on his own newly acquired power.

Prophecy Becomes Suspicion from "The Killer". Prophecy Becomes Suspicion Banco as Threat Macbett interprets the promise of Banco’s descendants as an attack on his own newly acquired power.

Prophecy Becomes Suspicion Banco as Threat Macbett interprets the promise of Banco’s descendants as an attack on his own newly acquired power. Self-Fulfilling Violence He murders Banco in an effort to defeat a future that his own actions have helped make plausible.

The Forest Advances The Forest Advances from "The Killer". The Forest Advances Conditional Protection Macbett believes no ordinary man can defeat him and that he is safe until the forest marches.

The Forest Advances from "The Killer". The Forest Advances Conditional Protection Macbett believes no ordinary man can defeat him and that he is safe until the forest marches.

The Forest Advances Conditional Protection Macbett believes no ordinary man can defeat him and that he is safe until the forest marches. Image Made Real Macol’s forces appear with branches and trees, fulfilling the warning through theatrical artifice and ending Macbett’s confidence.

During the storm after Glamiss’s disappearance

Shortly after Macbett leaves the storm scene

At the Witches’ transformation scene

After Macbett’s coronation

At the final battle with Macol