The play of Macbeth opens with three witches. They set the mood of the play and introduce a very important theme: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" (line 12). The witches are planning to meet with Macbeth and give him a message. They chant in patterns of threes, are called by their animal spirits and then leave.
             The image of blood is first introduced in scene II. A bloody soldier tells King Duncan of Macbeth's valor and bravery while he was fighting in the battle. Macbeth is portrayed as almost godlike as he fought against Norway. The captain states, "For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel Which smoked with bloody execution, Like valor's minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave" (lines 16-20).
             Ross then tells Duncan that the Thane of Cawdor was disloyal to him. Duncan replies by saying, "No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death And with his former title greet Macbeth" (lines 63-65). Macbeth is now going to become Thane of Cawdor.
             The three witches are waiting for Macbeth upon a heath. As Macbeth and Banquo approach, Macbeth says, "So foul and fair a day I have not seen" (line 36). This further inforces the theme of good vs. bad and bad vs. good. The witches then approach Macbeth and all hail to him. They tell him that he is going to become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. Banquo questions Macbeth's fearful reaction and then asks the witches about his own fortune. They reply, "Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. Not so happy, yet much happier" (lines 63-64). Banquo's son is predicted to be a king. Macbeth is full of questions and is fearful of his future. He wonders how he is to be dressed in "borrowed robes" since the Thane of Cawdor lives (line 107). From then to the end of the play, Macbeth dresses in "borrowed robes."
             As Macbeth and Banquo are riding, Macbeth's ambition starts to show. A horrid image form...