" A minor theme of trust appears here, though this theme isn't large enough to give it formal standing, but remember the King's trust: broken by Cawdor, and immense for Macbeth. Also, Macbeth is given title of Thane of Cawdor, a good gift for the King's "valiant cousin's service to the King (a reward).

             Scene III.

             The witches reconvene upon the heath. The first witch talks about a sailor's wife who "had chestnuts in her lap" (line 4). The sailor's wife might represent another foreshadowing, this time of Lady Macbeth. The line (plus line 5) could be changed to "[Lady Macbeth] had [great, power-hungry desire] in her lap, and [fed her desire], and mounched, and mounched." The sailor, then, is Macbeth. A curse is laid upon him by the first witch (lines 18 - 22):.

             "Sleep shall neither night nor day .

             Hang upon his penthouse lid; .

             He shall live a man forbid: .

             Weary . . ." .

             Then Banquo and Macbeth enter the scene. Shakespeare throws in a pinch of humor at a tense situation, something he does in other parts of this play. Banquo says, "You should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpret That you are so" (lines 45 - 47).

             The witches then speak to Macbeth and give their great prophecy:.

             Present: "Thane of Glamis!" (line 48).

             Future 1: "Thane of Cawdor!" (line 49).

             Future 2: "Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!" (line 50).

             The witches then speak to Banquo when requested by him, giving their second great prophecy:.

             "Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none." (line 67).

             Macbeth challenges the witches, questioning their prophecies. He says, "The Thane of Cawdor lives, A prosperous gentleman . . . . . . Say from whence You owe this strange intelligence?" (lines 72 - 73).

             On lines 83 - 88, Shakespeare adds in more humor to lighten the situation. Then Ross and Angus enter the scene. Ross tells Macbeth, "He [King Duncan] bade me, from him, call thee Thane of Cawdor" (line 105). This statement almost convinces Macbeth and Banquo of the witches' prophecies.