In the play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare, Macbeth is a character driven by ambition and a thirst for power. After encountering three witches who prophesy that he will become king, Macbeth embarks on a ruthless journey to fulfill their predictions.
The line "two truths" likely refers to the prophecies made by the witches. First, they proclaim that Macbeth will be the Thane of Cawdor, which quickly comes true. Then, they predict that he will eventually become the King of Scotland.
Macbeth's response, "Two truths are told / As happy prologues to the swelling act / Of the imperial theme," suggests that he sees these prophecies as a positive omen, a prelude to his grand ambitions. He views the fulfillment of these prophecies as the opening acts leading to his ultimate goal of becoming king.
By stating that these prophecies serve as a prologue, Macbeth implies that the events that follow will be just as consequential and significant, building up to the grand culmination of his imperial ambitions.
This aside demonstrates Macbeth's initial trust in the witches' words and his growing confidence in his own ability to achieve greatness. However, as the play unfolds, Macbeth's actions driven by his desire for power lead to a tragic downfall, making this interpretation of "two truths" ironic.