Does Macbeth initially believe the witches prophecies?

Answer 1

Because he's got his ideas where killing the king to become king himself is bad, since Duncan has been a friend and if anyone finds out they'll do the same to Macbeth, but also Lady Macbeth is manipulating Macbeth to do the wrong thing because she's mad with greed and wants the power also.

Macbeth is in the middle with the witches and with Lady Macbeth and can't make his own decisions because they're being made or manipulated for him.

Answer 2

He learns much less than he thinks he does. He learns that Banquo would be father to a line of kings, but he knew that already from the witches' first prophecy. He learns to beware Macduff, but he was already deeply suspicious of Macduff as we know from his conversation with his wife after the disastrous banquet. He thinks he learns that he is invulnerable since no man born of woman can defeat him, but in fact this is just another way of telling him to beware Macduff. Finally he thinks he is invulnerable because Birnam Wood cannot come to Dunsinane. So he learns three things, two of which (Banquo will be father to a line of kings and Macduff is dangerous) he already knew and the third (Macbeth is invulnerable) was not in fact true. This made the whole exercise a waste of time really.

Answer 3

When he is given the title of "Thane of Cawdor."

Answer 4

No, until Ross comes along and calls him Thane of Cawdor. That shakes him.

Answer 5

yes