Macbeth says that he does not think of the witches but contradicts himself How?

In the play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare, Macbeth's relationship with the witches is contradictory. On the one hand, he claims not to believe in them and dismisses them as "instruments of darkness," but on the other hand, he consistently acts on the prophecies they have given him. This contradictory behavior is often interpreted as a reflection of Macbeth's inner turmoil and the conflict between his rational mind and his ambition.

One instance where Macbeth contradicts himself is in Act III, Scene IV. After the witches' prophecies have led him to murder King Duncan, Macbeth becomes increasingly paranoid and guilt-ridden. When he sees the ghost of Banquo, whom he has also killed, he exclaims, "I am afraid to think what I have done; / Look on't again I dare not." This suggests that Macbeth is trying to suppress the memory of his actions and avoid confronting the guilt he feels. However, the fact that he cannot look at the ghost again and is terrified of thinking about what he has done shows that he is still very much aware of his crimes and the consequences of his actions.

Another contradiction is seen in Act V, Scene III, when Macbeth confronts Macduff. Macbeth initially dismisses Macduff's threats, saying, "Thou canst not say I did it; never shake / Thy gory locks at me." However, when Macduff reveals that he was not born of woman but "untimely ripped" from his mother's womb, Macbeth becomes visibly shaken and realizes that his downfall is imminent. This suggests that, despite his attempts to dismiss the witches' prophecies and convince himself that he is invulnerable, Macbeth still harbors a deep-seated fear that they will come to pass.

Overall, Macbeth's contradictory behavior regarding the witches reflects his complex and conflicted state of mind. While he may try to deny their influence on him, his actions and reactions betray his deep-rooted belief in their power and his fear of the consequences of his actions.