The Weïrd Sisters

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     The three witches, known in this play as the Weïrd Sisters, speak of the events that occur in the past and the present in order for the characters and the audience to trust their predictions of the future. This statement is illustrated in Act I Scene III when the first witch hails the Thane of Glamis, which Macbeth has been, the second witch hails the Thane of Cawdor, which Macbeth will presently be named, and the third witch hails the king, which they predict Macbeth will be. Due to Macbeth’s current status and the announcement that he is Thane of Cawdor, he knows he can trust the witches on their prediction of his next title. Other statements that make the audience believe the Weïrd Sisters’ prediction are in Act I Scene I as they claim they will meet Macbeth after a battle has played out. Due to these events unfolding in the play, the audience is able to trust their prediction about Macbeth becoming the king.
     This can be reflected outside the play in ordinary fortune tellers. These individuals often get their subjects to trust them by speaking of events that have happened in the subjects’ past or that are currently happening. After the fortune tellers have achieved this, they can tell the person, who is now confident in the tellers’ abilities, their fortune.

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