At the onset of the play, we learn that Macbeth is a brave and skilled soldier, much admired by all and sundry. He seems to have given his all for king and country and is considered loyal. King Duncan is so much pleased with his efforts in ensuring victory, that he generously rewards him with the title, thane of Cawdor.
We soon discover that Macbeth is ambitious. In his and Banquo's encounter with the witches, he is skeptical when they greet him with his present title, thane of Glamis and his as yet unknown honour, thane of Cawdor. They further tell him that he will be 'king hereafter.' The witches disappear before he can learn more. When he is later informed by Angus that he had been awarded the title, thane of Cawdor, Macbeth remarks in an aside:
Glamis, and thane of Cawdor!
The greatest is behind.
His response clearly indicates that Macbeth has been thinking about achieving greater things. The fact that he mentions that 'the greatest is behind' is a clear pointer that he feels, at this moment, that he has overcome his greatest hurdle - the way is now open for him to achieve greater goals. Macbeth is so overwhelmed by the idea that Banquo soon notices that he is, 'rapt withal'. We now discover that Macbeth's ambition is to be king, for he says, again in an aside:
If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me,
Without my stir.
He believes that if it were his destiny to be king, he might as well achieve the title by not doing anything. However, we later discover that Macbeth actually does do something. He and his wife plot Duncan's murder and eventually assassinate him in his bed. It is patently obvious that the witches' prediction has spurred him on and he took courage from what they said, leading to his pernicious deed. The prediction is what has set him off on a path of bloody destruction, for once Macbeth is crowned king, he becomes a ruthless, paranoid tyrant, killing all those he deems a threat to his rule.
The witches take great pleasure in seeing Macbeth destroying everything around him. They have willfully deceived him and await with pleasure their next encounter, so that they may further lead him to his doom. The third witch cries out ''tis time, tis time,' referring to the fact that they should get ready for Macbeth's arrival. They prepare a cauldron specifically for this purpose.
When Macbeth turns up, they continue using equivocation and paradox in order to further delude the gullible tyrant. They call up three apparitions, each with a different message. Macbeth is warned against Macduff and he is told that no man born of woman will harm him and also that he will not be defeated until Birnam wood marches up Dunsinane hill. The foolish Macbeth does not realize that what the witches say should not be interpreted literally, but he is so overwhelmed that he does not think straight.
To further mock him, the witches bring up a show of eight kings, apparitions that all look like Banquo. The last one carries a mirror which reflects into eternity showing a line of kings who all look like Banquo. The ghost of Banquo follows this line and points to them all, indicating that they will be his descendants. The witches leave Macbeth cursing the time in which he saw these horrendous phantoms.
These messages further encourage Macbeth for he now feels invincible - nothing can stand in his way. He continues on his bloody path of destruction until he is finally confronted by Macduff. At this point he has already learnt that Birnam wood has indeed marched up Dunsinane hill, in the form of soldiers who had camouflaged their numbers by carrying boughs cut from the trees in the wood. He realizes with a shock to what extent he had actually been deceived when Macduff tells him that his birth was unnatural, for he had been, 'untimely ripped' from his mother's womb. Macbeth then curses the witches:
Accursed be that tongue that tells me so,
For it hath cow'd my better part of man!
Macbeth refuses to surrender and is killed by Macduff.
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