“To Meet with Macbeth,” given by tutor Louis ... - St. John's College

Sisters had foreseen a meeting with Macbeth only. Banquo is present as Macbeth’s double: he is the
future that never leaves the present time alone, the “not yet” principle of human action that will
torment Macbeth and be assailed by him.
Let us listen further to the meeting on the heath:
Macbeth.
Speak if you can. What are you?
1. All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!
2. All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!
3. All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!
(I.iii.47-50)
The three “alls” and the five “hails” unite past, present, and future time through the named honors
(Glamis, Cawdor, king) of those times. Thus kingship means not only ultimacy of title, but the merging
of past and future into present time—if that missing sixth “hail” (the perfect number of “hails”) can be
supplied. (Lady Macbeth will supply it shortly.) Banquo, like a younger sibling demanding “me-too,”
gets the Sisters to speak to him, though they appear reluctant:
1. Hail!
2. Hail!
3. Hail!
1. Lesser than Macbeth and greater.
2. Not so happy, yet much happier.
3. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.
So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!
1. Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!
(I.iii.62-69)
The triple “hails” and prophecies to Banquo accentuate the fair and foul that Macbeth sees mixed.
Perfection of knowledge requires more speaking, and perfection of Macbeth’s being (as King) first
requires non-being on the part of Cawdor:
Macbeth.
Stay, you imperfect speakers. Tell me more.
By Sinel’s death I know I am Thane of Glamis.
But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives,
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