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Was it always Macbeth’s destiny to become king, or was it his choice to act upon the Witches predictions that led him to that result. After hearing the Witches predictions, Macbeth says aside “if chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir”. This is to say, he doesn’t have to do anything and he will still become king. At first he is doubtful, but as they are greeted by Rosse and Angus and told by them that he is indeed the Thane of Cawdor, he begins to wonder. It was possible for the Witches to that he was named Thane of Cawdor, as the king announced it previously. They could have used it to gain Macbeth’s trust, making him think he would also become king. There could have been no foresight at all, the Witches just putting ideas in Macbeth’s head to make him act. This has further proof when Duncan names Malcolm as his successor. “We will establish our estate upon Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter The Prince of Cumberland”. It would seem that Macbeth was never destined to be king. With his wife’s persuasion, he kills the king and places the blame upon Duncan’s children. Macbeth does end up in Duncan’s place, but he had to kill to get it. It was the Witches that caused him to act and in doing so, sealed both his fate and Banquos. Every action Macbeth makes brings the prophecy closer. He kills Banquo but his son escapes, leaving him to potentially be the next king of Scotland. If the Witches hadn’t intervened, Macbeth might never have been king.