Duncan was King of Scotland. He had two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain. During his reign a rebel army assisted by Norway rose against him. The King was too old to command his army to put down the rebellion. Macbeth was a near kinsman to the King Duncan. He was the son of Finel, who was Thane of Glamis. The Governors of provinces were at that time in Scotland, called Thanes. Banquo was related to Macbeth.
Macbeth and Banquo were the Generals of the King’s army. These two generals defeated the enemy. While returning victorious from the battlefield Macbeth and Banquo met three weird witches on the way. The first witch greeted Macbeth by calling him Thane of Glamis. The second called him as Thane of Cawdor, Then the third wishing him a higher compliment greeted him as King of Scotland. Such a prophetic greeting might well amaze him because he could note hope to succeed to the throne when the king’s sons lived. While he was wondering what they could mean, they also prophesied that Banquo’s heirs would rule Scotland in years to come.
When Macbeth tried to question the weird witches, they vanished. Before he recovered from his surprise, there came a messenger to tell him that his father was dead and that, therefore , he became Thane of Glamis, And there came a second messenger who told him that he was now Thane of Cawdor. He was now the Thane of Glamis as well as the Thane of Cawdor.
Macbeth, seeing a part of the words of the witches come true turned to Banquo to confirm the witches’ prophecy. But Banquo thought them evil. But Macbeth did not heed Banquo’s warning. The words of the witches had gone deep into his soul. He began to ponder over the possibility of becoming King of Scotland and see his heart on the attainment of his goal. But as it was now king Duncan had two sons to succeed him to the throne. The problem was great.
