In Act One, Scene 3, Macbeth and Banquo meet the Three Witches on the heath as the men are traveling to the king's court at Forres. Both men are surprised at the appearance of the witches and listen carefully as the witches give them their prophecies. The witches initially address Macbeth as the Thane of Glamis, the Thane of Cawdor, and future King of Scotland. After hearing Macbeth's favorable prophecies, Banquo asks the witches to elaborate on his future. The first witch tells Banquo that he will be lesser than Macbeth but greater than him. The second witch tells Banquo that he is not as happy as Macbeth, yet is much happier than him. The third witch tells Banquo that his descendants will be kings, even though he will never sit on the throne. Banquo's first two prophecies are considered paradoxes, which are statements that contradict themselves yet seem to have a hidden truth in them.
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