Macbeth's Mysterious Encounter with the Witches
Why does Macbeth think the witches want to help him?
What are the 3 prophecies that the witches give to Macbeth?
Does Macbeth actually ask the witches what he wants to know?
What does Macbeth want from the witches?
Final Answer
Macbeth thinks the witches want to help him because of the enticing prophecies they offer, foretelling his rise to Thane of Cawdor and king. He doesn't initially ask for their knowledge, but their predictions fuel his ambition, leading him to seek out more information about his fate.
Macbeth initially believes the witches want to help him because they greet him with grand titles: Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and future king. These announcements lead Macbeth to think they are in his favor.
The three prophecies that the witches give to Macbeth are: he will be made Thane of Cawdor, he will become the king afterward, and his descendants will not be kings, although Banquo's lineage will be.
While Macbeth does not outright ask the witches for these predictions, their unbidden prophecies fascinate him, spurring his fierce ambition and desire to know more. Later, driven by the fulfillment of the first two prophecies and his desire for power, he seeks them out again specifically to learn the fate that awaits him, showing that what Macbeth wants from the witches is knowledge about his destiny and assurance of his power.