How Prophecies Transform Characters
Macbeth's fatal flaw is his ambition, but it only becomes dangerous when the prophecies give it direction. In Act 4, he's so addicted to the witches' predictions that he actively seeks them out, begging "Speak / Demand / We'll answer." He's become completely dependent on their guidance, unable to see through their clever wordplay and deliberate deception.
The prophecies transform Macbeth from a hesitant soldier into a paranoid tyrant. Initially, Lady Macbeth had to convince him to kill Duncan, but by Act 4, he's ordering the murder of Macduff's innocent family without hesitation. His fear of losing power, sparked by the prophecies, makes him increasingly ruthless and irrational.
Banquo provides a crucial contrast to Macbeth's response to prophecy. Although told his sons will be kings, Banquo doesn't resort to violence to make it happen. He remains sceptical of the witches, showing that prophecies only have power over those who choose to believe and act on them.
The prophecies ultimately create a self-fulfilling cycle—Macbeth's attempts to secure his predicted throne are exactly what lead to his downfall. Without the witches planting these ideas, he likely would have remained a loyal soldier rather than becoming Scotland's most hated tyrant.
Remember: The prophecies don't force Macbeth to act—they simply reveal and amplify the darkness that was already inside him.