Examples Of Foreshadowing In Macbeth

In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the play focuses on Macbeth, a Scottish thane from the upper ends of society and nobility. At the beginning of the play, he is introduced with both respect and awe as he fights bravely in battle and murders the former Thane of Cawdor. Upon returning home from battle, Macbeth is introduced to three witches who deliver unexpected prophecies to him. He is informed by the witches that not only will he be king as well as other prophecies that will shape the outcome of his future. In William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, the three witches predict aspects of Macbeth’s life.

In the play, Macbeth, the three witches foresee that Macbeth will become of the highest reign and power in Scotland. In the beginning of the

play, Macbeth encounters three witches that praise Macbeth and proclaim that Macbeth will become king in the near future.

The witches quickly begin to exclaim, “All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!” (1.3.49) The witches then chant, “All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter.” (1.3.50) These statements foreshadow to readers that not only is Macbeth is going to become the new ruler of Scotland, but something will happen to the current king of Scotland, as Duncan’s wishes for Malcolm to become the new king will no longer be optional. This not only causes bewilderment amongst Macbeth but also a need to confide to Lady Macbeth after learning of such news.

After returning to Glamis, Macbeth returns home and shares the information with his wife, Lady Macbeth. Together, they successfully plan and murder the current king of Scotland as there was no other way for Macbeth to become the new king. This leads to both Malcolm and Donaldbain fleeing from Scotland. Donalbain states, “To Ireland I. Our separated fortune shall keep us both safer.” (2.3.136-137) This conveys to the audience that

although it may appear that the witches are not predicting the future and simply planting seeds into Macbeth’s mind, Macbeth would not be king had Malcolm and Donalbain not left Scotland out of fear for their own lives. Immediately after leaving Scotland, many began to become suspicious of the brothers as some residents begin to believe that the brothers plotted the murder of their father. This means that Macbeth is the only one capable of being king as he proved to Duncan to be brave and honorable. Ross, a Scottish thane explains, “Thine own life’s means! Then ‘tis most like the sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.” (2.4.29-30) This statement illustrates to the audience that there are residents within Scotland who believe in Macbeth as he is described to be a great and honorable man. There are individuals within the play that support Macbeth and believe that he is fit to be king and that he is more than capable of holding the highest authority, power, and nobility in Scotland. However, Macbeth is not honored by all as become suspicious as to how suddenly Macbeth become king. Thanes and friends that were once alongside Macbeth begin to suspect that not only did Macbeth kill Duncan, but many others that proved to be a threat to him and his crown. Scared to lose his crown, Macbeth searches for answers from the witches, to which they state to him that his reign will not be diminished by any man born of woman.
In the play, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the three witches flawlessly foresee that
many men will not be able to defeat nor harm Macbeth. In search of answers regarding his future, Macbeth demands answers from the three witches. After hearing of Macbeth’s concerns, they summon apparitions to console Macbeth. The second apparition informs Macbeth that he will not be harmed by men born of woman. The second apparition states, “Laugh to scorn the pow’r of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” (4.1.101-103) Macbeth instantly becomes calmer and more confident as he believes that a majority of men were born of woman and becomes over confident that his reign will never vanquish. Macbeth states, “I bear a charmed life, which must not yield to one of woman born.” (5.8.12-13) However, Macbeth’s confident vanishes as Macduff was not born of woman and is able to harm him. During the battle between Macbeth and Macduff near the end of the play, Macduff states, “Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripped.” (5.8.15-16) The battle soon leads to the death of Macbeth, as Macduff removes his head. Before his death, Macbeth states, “Lay on, Macduff, and damned be him that first cries, ‘Hold, enough!’ (5.8.34-35) This quote is significant to the audience as those are the last words that Macbeth spoke as his reign comes to end, the prophecy proven to be true. However, it is because of the war that was also foreseen by the witches that Macduff had the opportunity to bring back prosperity and unity to Scotland.
In William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, the three witches anticipate that there will be a revolt against Macbeth. The three witches foreshadow that Macbeth will not be vanquished until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. Later in the play, Macbeth demands answers regarding his reign from the three witches. This results in the three witches once again predicting aspects of Macbeth’s life. The third apparition states, "Macbeth shall never be vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him." (4.1.114-116) Macbeth once again becomes confident in himself and his power as king as he takes the witches prediction quite literally as the woods themselves cannot move. Macbeth states, "Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane, I cannot taint with fear." (5.3.2-3) However, Macbeth confidence once again diminishes as the soldiers used wood to keep themselves from being seen and surprise those within Macbeth’s castle, including Macbeth himself. Before the revolt, Malcolm suggests to the soldiers that they cut the branches of Birnam Wood. Malcolm states, "Let every soldier hew him down a bough and bear't before him. Thereby we shall shadow the numbers of our host and make discovery err in report of us." (5.4.5-7) Like the three witches predicted, Macbeth did not contain fear or wither due to Birnam Wood not being able to physically remove itself. However, now that Macbeth is informed of the soldiers holding the branches of Birnam wood, he himself is now preparing for war, as he knows he will be vanquished. Macbeth clarifies, "That lies like truth. 'Fear not, till Birnam Wood do come to Dunsinane,' and now a wood comes toward Dunsinane." (5.6.44-46) This war marked an end to the injustice established my Macbeth and an end to Macbeth’s foolish reign. Immediately after his death, solidarity, honor, and peace returns to Scotland and rid of personal pride. However, it was personal hubris and prophecies that turned into realities that lead to the end of Macbeth’s life.
In Macbeth, William Shakespeare's character's, the three witches, adequately prophesize particular events in Macbeth's life.

In the play, Macbeth, Macbeth becomes the highest reign and power in Scotland. The witches predicted that he will be the new king of Scotland and no one else is more capable of this position than he. The three witches also prophesized that many men will not be able to harm Macbeth or put an end to him. The witches’ prophecies proved to be true as the second apparition stated that Macbeth will not be harmed by man born of woman. This leads to Macbeth’s murder by Macduff as Macduff was not born of woman. In Macbeth, the three witches also have foreseen a revolt against Macbeth that will put an end to his reign. The three witches’ prophecies prove to be genuine as Macbeth was both surprised and shocked when the soldiers brought branches from Birnam Woods to Dunsinane Hill. Macbeth’s pride and personal hubris leads to his own downfall. Perhaps if he did not murder those who were gracious and kind to him, he may have lived a very content life. Unfortunately, his need for power leads to only what could have been as he now a legend amongst

others.