Act 1, Scene 3 Summary

The battle is now over and the Witches now show up in a heath near Forres, scene of the battle. One of the Witches has been affronted by a sailor's wife who would not share her chestnuts, munching them ungraciously while she watched. In revenge, the Witch vows revenge against her husband, cursing him with sleeplessness and tempests, drained and exhausted. Macbeth and Banquo come, surprised and disgusted with these strange creatures. The Witches prophesy that Macbeth will become thane of Cowdor and, eventually King. Banquo is skeptical and somewhat disgusted with their manly, though female, appearance. They answer his request for prophesy with the claim that he will not be a king, but he will be father to kings. Suddenly, the Witches vanish, leaving both of them astonished. Suddenly, Ross and Angus appear. In fact, Macbeth will be thane of...