The first witch relates how she will torment a sailor whose wife had been rude to her.

The Witches greet Macbeth (who is Thane of Glamis) with the predictions that he will be Thane of Cawdor and King.

Banquo asks the Witches to predict his future and they tell him that his descendants will be kings, though he himself will not.

Rosse and Angus arrive to give the news that, as a reward for his bravery, Macbeth is to be made Thane of Cawdor.

Macbeth is amazed that the Witches’ prediction has come true. Despite Banquo’s warning that the Witches might be leading him to evil, Macbeth thinks about killing Duncan.