Question

Why is Macbeth both excited and fearful after hearing the witches' prediction about his future?

a. The witches told Macbeth that even though he would not be king, his children would inherit the throne.
b. The witches are powerful, and Macbeth is afraid they will do something to harm the king.
c. The witches told Macbeth that he would be a great hero even though he would be killed in battle.
d. The witches told Macbeth that he would be king, and he is worried about his role in making the prediction come true.

Answer 1

It's D) because they told he would be king but he can't really trust them due to them being witches. And none of the things in the other options quite match what happens later on.

Answer 2

D. The witches told Macbeth that he would be king, and he is worried about his role in making the prediction come true.

Step-by-step explanation:

The prophecies delivered by the witches traps Macbeth in the dilemma as he could not decide between his respect for the king and his destiny to be the king himself. He is suffering from the conflict as the predictions of the three witches were contradictory. However, after learning their prophecy of himself being the king he was delighted but at the same time distressed about his role in making their prophecy true of Duncan's murder. Thus, he was in a state of split and this prophecy marks the turning point of the story led by his conflicting state of mind.