What supernatural element influences Macbeth's actions?

The influence of the supernatural element in "Macbeth" is primarily driven by a prophecy delivered by three witches. These witches foretell that Macbeth will rise to power by becoming the Thane of Cawdor and eventually the king of Scotland. This prophecy ignites an ambition within Macbeth that leads him down a dark path, resulting in murder and tyranny as he seeks to fulfill the witches' words. The witches serve as agents of fate, manipulating Macbeth's actions and decisions by planting the seed of ambition in his mind, which ultimately drives the narrative of the play.

While elements such as ghosts, dreams, and other visions appear within the story, they do not hold the same pivotal role in influencing Macbeth's trajectory as the witches' prophecies do. Instead, the prophecies set the plot in motion, demonstrating the power of supernatural elements in guiding human behavior and outcomes. Thus, the witches' prophecy is central to the themes of ambition, fate, and the supernatural in Shakespeare's "Macbeth."