Final answer:
In Macbeth's Act 1 Scene 3, the witches are portrayed as mysterious and supernatural beings who are foretellers of the future, setting in motion the play's central conflicts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth, specifically in Act 1 Scene 3, can best be described as mysterious and supernatural beings. They enter the play with thunder and lightning, setting the tone for their connection to otherworldly forces. Their speech is cryptic; they hail Macbeth with titles he has not yet attained, speaking to events that have not yet come to pass, which suggests they are also foretellers of the future. They tell Banquo he will be the father of kings, yet not a king himself, showing a blend of truth and riddle in their prophecies. Their appearance is wild and withered, and they vanish into thin air, underlining their supernatural aspect. Their prophecies set the plot into motion and leave both Macbeth and Banquo pondering the truth behind their words, influencing Macbeth's future actions significantly.