A prophecy is a prediction about something that is going to happen, usually spoken by an authority such as a priest, shaman, or another type of mystic. Have you ever dreamt of something and you do not quite remember in the morning, but during the day, you suddenly feel a déjà vu? All of the sudden, it feels like you have seen that exact moment somewhere. Is that a prophecy for your daily life? Could anyone be a prophet? From what I have researched, technically, anyone could experience a premonition or forewarning of an event. However most prophetic traditions believe that only unique individuals can "voice" a genuine prophecy.
In Macbeth, Macbeth was given prophecies for his future from the weird witches. Macbeth’s prophecies were that he would become the Thane of Cawdor and he would also become the king. When Banquo asked the witches about his prophecies, they said that he was lesser than Macbeth, but greater, happier than Macbeth, but not so happy, and finally, beget kings though be none himself. Later, Macbeth was again given another prophecies. The prophecies were that Macbeth should be aware of Macduff, the Thane of Fife. None of woman born shall harm him and that he shall never be vanquished until the great Birman Wood come to High Dunsinane Hill should go against him. What did all these prophecies bring? Tragedy. If Macbeth didn’t know about him becoming the king, then he wouldn’t have killed Duncan. When he actually does become the king, he killed Banquo because his children shall become the king when Banquo himself wouldn't. Another tragedy is that because he was told to be aware of Macduff, he slaughters Macduff’s families and servants who were in his castle. When he was told that none of woman born should harm him, he got confident and cocky. He was so sure that he wouldn’t be killed by anyone. He thought it was impossible for the Birman Wood to come against him since woods don’t really move and attack people. The only thing prophecies left were tragedies and misfortunes.
How does prophecies attract others? In Macbeth, after the weird witches had told Macbeth about the first prophecies, he went to look for the witches again for more future prophecies that could help him and those who opposes him. Edgar Cayce is a famous American prophet. He was also known as “The Sleeping Prophet”. He was renown for trance reading of illness diagnoses and remedy prescriptions. Because of his unusual power, many began to search for him even though he didn’t have any medical backgrounds or degrees. The powers of prophecies attract different people. Macbeth searched the witches for prophecies because of his own greed and ambition. On the other hand, Cayce attracted those who were in need of help.
Cayce was a prophet and a psychic who helped many people but it also brought him hardships. After becoming a prophet, many seek for him to find cures but as many people came to see him, he became mentally and physically exhausted. As his body conditions got worse, he had to take a break from helping people to regain his health. On January 1, he told the others that he would be fine by January 5 and others were glad that he would regain his strength and continue to aid more people. However, on the 5th of January, he died peacefully in his sleep. Because of prophet power, Cayce suffered and exhausted himself until he collapsed and then he found out that he would die peacefully soon. Even though he knew he would pass away, he still cared for the others and helped them feel a lot better by telling them that he would be fine than just telling him that he would die because of people he had to help out. Prophecies and powers lead to disaster that ends up killing you like how Macbeth and Banquo died.
Cayce and Shakespeare used prophecies to do the opposite things. Cayce used his power to help and cure the others who cannot do it themselves. However, in Macbeth by Shakespeare, Macbeth used prophecies to gain strength and power, which lead him to his downfall. By having this kind of power, people are able to make a good use of it. Prophecies can improve the world by avoiding wars and etcetera. However, by using the same power, you can cause the end of the world, like in Macbeth, Macbeth started to murder others because of the prophecies. Prophecies can help people live and help someone destroy others’ lives.
