In response to his questions, the witches summon several out of their spell, all of whom deliver a message to Macbeth. The first apparition, a floating armored , bids Macbeth to beware of Macduff. The second is the image of a bloody , who tells Macbeth that "none of woman born / shall harm Macbeth." This seems to imply that, since all people are born from a woman, Macbeth cannot be defeated by anyone. The final apparition is a child wearing a and holding a . It tells Macbeth that he cannot be defeated until Birnam Wood moves toward Dunsinane Hill. Again, Macbeth gains confidence from this, as he thinks he cannot be . After all, how can a possibly get up and move?

After the three apparitions have delivered their messages, a final image appears to Macbeth. He sees eight in a line, the last holding a mirror and, at the end of the line, ghost walks. Macbeth is startled to see this, recalling the final prophecy which dictated Banquo's heirs would be kings. Macbeth demands to know from the witches what this final vision means; however, the witches into thin air, just as they have before.

Shortly, Lennox enters to tell Macbeth news about and how he has fled to England. In response to this, Macbeth decides that he will invade Macduff's castle, killing his and children.

The next acts shifts to Macduff's castle in Fife, showing his wife and one of his sons. A messenger suddenly comes onto the scene, warning Lady Macduff to  (escape). However, Lady Macduff refuses, feeling she has done no wrong and should not be chased out of her home. A group of then bursts onto the scene, killing the young son. Lady Macduff flees, and the murderers pursue her. The audience is left to assume that they kill her as well.

The last scene of the act moves to Macduff, who has now fled to England to meet with . Ross enters the scene, having just arrived in England from Scotland. He tells Malcolm about the problems that Scotland has been having since Macbeth took the , and he urges Malcolm to return. Malcolm assures him he will be returning soon with lent to him from the English king, Edward. Ross breaks down at this point and tells Macduff that his wife and children have been by Macbeth. Macduff is shocked, angered, and filled with grief at this news. As a result, he vows that he will take revenge on Macbeth.

This act marks another development in Macbeth's character. The second round of prophecies has a profound affect on Macbeth. On the one hand, they make him feel , seeming to show that he cannot be defeated. They also cast Macduff as a key threat, which the third scenes reveals to be true. That, coupled with the fact that the final vision shows Banquo's sons still becoming kings, enrages Macbeth. In addition, there is also the question of whether or not the witches are showing Macbeth his fate or they are simply presenting him visions that he can choose to act upon. Arguably, he would never have killed Duncan if the hadn't planted the thought in his head in act I. Regardless, after seeing the four visions, Macbeth is willing to do whatever is necessary to stay in . When the witches deliver him the second set of prophecies, he decides to take out whoever may stand in his way. However, his decision to murder Mcaduff's innocent wife and children might be seen as the peak of his crimes because they have never done anything to harm Macbeth. All of this shows just how ruthless he has become, a far transition from the man who hesitated to kill Duncan in the first act.