In the epic play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, the issue of the means to gain power is brought up. Macbeth and Banquo, two Scottish thanes, have just finished defeating invading Norwegian troops aided by another thane. They go and visit three witches, who give a prophecy on the future of Scotland. They say that Macbeth, who is currently the Thane of Glamis, will soon become the Thane of Cawdor as well, and after that, the King of Scotland. They also say that Banquo's children shall become rulers of Scotland after Macbeth. Macbeth has no faith in this prediction at first, saying that there is no reason he should believe it. However, after it is reported that the Thane of Cawdor has been executed for aiding the Norwegians and Macbeth is to be appointed the new Thane of Cawdor in his stead, Macbeth starts to believe the witches...