King Duncan passes the sentence of death on the original Thane of Cawdor after he betrayed him by fighting on the side of his enemies, MacDonwald and Sweno, the king of Norway. Once the enemy has been defeated and Cawdor arrested, Duncan commands:
"... go pronounce his present death'
And with his former title greet Macbeth."
The title "Thane of Cawdor" has been bestowed on Macbeth, and this, in itself, foreshadows Macbeth's own future betrayal and his doom.
When Macbeth and Banquo encounter the witches, the second witch greets Macbeth thus:
"All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!"
The third witch adds:
"All hail Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!"
Ross and Angus later meet Macbeth and Banquo and Ross informs Macbeth that the title of Cawdor had been bestowed on him. Macbeth remarks during an aside:
"Glamis, and thane of Cawdor!
The greatest is behind!"
Macbeth's response clearly indicates his intent - the greatest hurdle to his ambition has been overcome. The witches' prediction has come true. The fact that he has been given the title "Thane of Cawdor" sets in motion the tragic events which later lead to Duncan's assassination, Macbeth's tyrannical rule and eventually his death.
Ironically, Macbeth is killed for exactly the same crime the original Thane of Cawdor committed: treason. Only this time, Macbeth has committed the ultimate betrayal - murdering his own king and turning against his own kin and kindred.
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