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All Site ContentMacbethAct 1Scene 3
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“happy prologues to the swelling act”
Simile
Act 1,
Scene 3
Lines 129b-131

An explanation of the simile “as happy prologues to the swelling act” in Act 1, Scene 3 of myShakespeare’s Macbeth.

Banquo

Ross

Angus

Ross

Banquo

Macbeth

Angus

Macbeth

Banquo

[Banquo joins Ross and Angus; Macbeth speaks to himself]

Macbeth

[Aside] Two truths are told
As happy prologues to the swelling act
Of the imperial theme. [To Ross and Angus] I thank you, gentlemen.

In this simile, Macbeth compares the witches’ statements to a play. The first two truths which they have told - that Macbeth is the Thane of Glamis and the Thane of Cawdor - are like the prologue, or introduction, of the play. The final act of the play has a royal theme because that’s when Macbeth becomes king.

(The Three Witches from Shakespeares Macbeth, Daniel Gardner, c. 1775)