Macbeth, on the way back from the battlefield where he fought so gloriously, with the nobleman Banquo, runs into the three infamous witches on a fair, but foul day. To Banquo, they do not even look human. He even questions if they are women due to their manly beards. Banquo proceeds to demand the witches to speak, if they really do know what the future holds. Hence, the witches proceed to make three prophecies, which will turn Macbeth head over heels. The first prophecy is that Macbeth will be named the Thane of Cawdor. The second prophecy claims that Macbeth will eventually become kind. Finally, the third prophecy states that Banquo’s descendants, but not himself, will be kings.
Macbeth is left in pure eagerness to hear more as the witches disappear right after starting their three prophecies. Ross and Angus, sent by King Duncan, arrive at the scene and meet Banquo and Macbeth. They pass on Duncan’s message of how he was extremely pleased with Macbeth’s success, and how they have come as escorts with the king’s thanks, rather than rewards. However, they also state that King Duncan has asked them to inform Macbeth that he is now to be called the Thane of Cawdor, since the previous one is going to be executed for treason, making the first prophecy of the witches come true. Macbeth is now closer to becoming king, and making the second prophecy a possible reality as well in the near future. The group then proceeds to Forres as Macbeth begins to plot his next steps to attain the throne which he desires so greatly.