Theme Of Banquo's Ambition In Macbeth

Improved Essays
Macbeth chooses to kill Banquo so that his descendants will not become king. He kills Banquo, and attempts to kill Banquo’s son Fleance so Macbeth can secure his future kingsmanship. The first time the witches came to visit Macbeth and Banquo they told them their prophecies. Macbeth's prophecies were that he was going to be the Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and that he will be king, but Banquo’s ancestors will be royalty for a long time. Banquo's ancestors will pass down the royalty to the other family members. Since Macbeth has been dealing with paranoia, he starts to fears Banquo. He feels that Banquo is a threat to his throne and to his life, and he continues to feel this paranoia. Macbeth does not want Banquo’s heirs to become king, …show more content…
The difference this time is that he is going to see them, instead them setting up a meeting with him. This shows how all of the murders and his emotions are really bothering Macbeth. He fears people and he wants answers, Macbeth wants to confirm his thoughts on people by going to the witches. At this point he has already stated that he will do the worse things to change his fate, so the reader knows that he will find out his fate and act on it. When Macbeth goes to see the witches they give him 3 appropriations, and a fourth unwillingly. The first appropriation was to beware of MacDuff, the second appropriation was to be violent,bold and firm and the third that Macbeth will never be defeated ,until the fight when Birnam wood marches to fight Macbeth at Dunsinane Hill. The fourth appropriation changes the mood and the tone of the scene. The witches told Macbeth that there will be another crown underneath the one he is wearing. The prophecy that announced Banquo’s descendants to become king were true. After his meeting with the weird sisters Macbeth feels betrayed and angry, and now wants to try and fix fate. Once he thinks of a way to change fate he will not think about it and just do it. When Macbeth decides what he’s going to do, if or when people point fingers to Macbeth he will blame the witches for telling him his fate. By Macbeth taking the chance and choosing to see the weird sister shows how desperate and paranoid he is for the answers. He wants the throne to be for him and his descendants, not Banquo’s and he will risk his death to secure his

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    (I. VII. 142-145). In this quote, Macbeth unpacks his true feelings. He explains that just the thought of committing this foul act of killing his own king disgusts him. He states that his ability to act would be clouded by the burden he would have put on his head. This means that if Macbeth had not have been ambitious, he would not have even thought about murdering the King, although, his rambunctious nature and personality leads him to believe this is the only way to become King. In reality, Macbeth overcomes his guilt with his ambition. In consequences of these actions, Macbeth is forced to continue his murderous spree due to the fact that he never feels satisfied with what he has. Although Macbeth is reigning as King of Scotland, both him and his wife believe that something is still missing. Macbeth believes that he must keep the crown in the family or else he would have done all these actions for no reason. He then decides to target Banquo because of the witches’ prophecy that says Banquo’s sons will be the start of a long line of kings. Macbeth devises a plan to kill Banquo and his son Fleance, “Know Banquo was your enemy”(III. I. 114). In this quote, Macbeth is speaking to the murderers he had hired to kill Banquo. Macbeth is trying to give a valid explanation on why it is acceptable to kill Banquo. It is quite easy to interpret that Macbeth says this because he believes that Banquo truly is his enemy. Macbeth considers Banquo an enemy…

    • 1541 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Macbeth believes he is able to go unnoticed and never even be considered as a suspect. Because Macbeth feels he is left can be left without consequence, this allows him to think he can do the same to Banquo. As Macbeth becomes more paranoid of his status on the throne, he becomes more irrational. Macbeth shows his illogical thought process to the audience through his conversations with Lady Macbeth. Macbeth tells his wife it is necessary to kill Banquo because, “We 've [Macbeth and Lady Macbeth] scorched the snake, not killed it” (Act 3. Sc. 2. Ln. 15). Even though it is unnecessary to kill Banquo, Macbeth feels it is necessary so he can protect power and the propechy. Macbeth thinks Banquo has a direct effect on his kingship because he kids will succeed Macbeth as king. Since Macbeth succeeded Duncan as king, he feels as if Banquo’s children will kill him as Macbeth killed Duncan. This shows that Macbeth realizes his gory act was rotten, but his polluted thoughts make him think Banquo should die. At one point, Macbeth even reasons to Lady Macbeth it is necessary because, “I am in blood stepped so far that, should I wade no more, returning were so tedious as go o 'er” (Act 3. Sc. 4. Ln. 170). This shows Macbeth feels since he has done so much bad that he must continue in order to justify his previous actions. The only things that have motivated Macbeth to kill are the false…

    • 1541 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Macbeth's Tragic Hero

    • 549 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Their prophecy foretells Macbeth what the future has for him. He is impacted most when the witches tell him that he will be named Thane of Cawdor and become king. Macbeth realized the threats between him and the throne, Duncan. Rather than being a polite host, Macbeth planned for the killing of Duncan while he was sleeping in their castle. By doing so, Macbeth not only killed an innocent individual, but he killed peace. Macbeth immediately feels a burden of guilt immediately after murdering Duncan. Trying to avoid the thought of that night, Macbeth told his wife he would not “Look on’t again I dare not” (Shakespeare II.III.67). He is knowingly forced to live with guilt now because of his decision of killing Duncan. Afterwards, Macbeth comes to realization that goodness and peace would be lost from him forever. He begins to have a serious case paranoia over having the crown stolen from him. Macbeth turns himself into a slash and burn murderer, quickly losing sight of humanity. He becomes insecure with the reasoning behind his actions, causing him to commit more murders. After arranging Banquo’s murder “It [was] concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s flight, / If it find heaven, must it find it out tonight” (Shakespeare III.II.161-162). Macbeth tormented himself even more by organizing the death of another innocent man. Not…

    • 549 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Greed Quotes In Macbeth

    • 740 Words
    • 3 Pages

    After he killed King Duncan, he finally gets his wish. At this time, his fear takes over his mind; he has started the endless dissimulation. At first, everyone thought the assassination was carried out by the guards, but as time goes by, people start to realize who on earth is the backstage manipulator. At this time, the prophecies of the three witches appear to Macbeth’s mind, it keeps reminding him that the son of Banquo will replace his position. The fear of losing the power impels him to murder Banquo and his son. Macbeth says to the murderers:”So is he mine; and in such bloody distance/That every minute of his being thrusts/Against my near’st of life.”(page 56) It is clear that he is terrified with the menace of his power, he could not wait to get rid of his “best friend”. As he wished, Banquo is killed by his murderers; but out of human nature, the figure of Banquo keeps tangling him which drives him…

    • 740 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Banquo's Role In Macbeth

    • 1031 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Banquo first asks where Forres is, and in meeting the three witches, he says they look as if they are from another planet, though, he also thinks they are human due to their responses to his questions. Banquo attempts to calm the witches by claiming they do, in fact, look like women, but fails overall at pacifying them when he says their beards reveal a more masculine feature.…

    • 1031 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Macbeth: Banquo As A Hero

    • 159 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Dear friends, family, thanes, kings, and the people of Scotland, we are gathered here today to honor and grieve the loss of the bravest, most courageous, and kindest man I know. Banquo will be remembered as a good man who was taken away from us too soon. He was loyal, noble, and a great thane and warrior. He shall live on in his son, Fleance. Banquo was to be the next king, but tragically he never made it. He will be missed by many because he was loved by everyone. His soul will rest in peace unlike his murder Macbeth. Even though he suffered the ultimate betrayal at the hands of Macbeth, he will be honored past his death. He was dearly loved and will always be remembered as an amazing person. He is a hero who was never given a chance to…

    • 159 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a brave and virtuous man who fights for his country and has the respect of many, including the king. After receiving a prophecy from the three witches, Macbeth's ambition is awoken and he kills King Duncan and takes the throne for himself. After killing the king Duncan to become king, Macbeth is clearly consumed by his guilt saying that “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more: Macbeth shall sleep no more.” . Once king, Macbeth feels as though he has to commit more and more murders in order to protect himself from suspicion and opposition. In order to secure his place as king, he orders that his friend Banquo and his son Fleance be killed in order to suppress Banquo's…

    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Shakespeare introduces both Macbeth and Banquo as two noblemen, brave warriors who fought side by side courageously for their king. As the play progresses and Banquo uses his wisdom and is upheld as a foil to Macbeth who falls prey to temptation. Banquo’s reaction to the…

    • 1064 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Sharing his plan with Lady Macbeth, the would-be queen, shows he hoped “it would find welcome lodgement with her,” and she would encourage his greed for more power (Flathe 2). Realizing it is against his morals, Macbeth tries to back out of the murder plan but he is “charged with cowardice” by Lady Macbeth (Richardson 1). She scolds him for being too frightened to achieve his goal to become king and not being “the same in thine own act and valor as thou art in desire” (1.7.40-41). This accusation spurs his ambition and his greed, so he murders Duncan, knowing the prophecies are on his side. By committing this crime, Macbeth destroys a bond with a parent-like figure and violates the “powers of [his] own superego, or conscience” (Reid 5). The destruction of his superego results in the loss to control impulses, to consider morals in decisions, and causes guilt. While murdering Duncan, he hears a voice shout, “Macbeth shall sleep no more,” testifying to his loss of innocence and mental unrest that plagues him (2.2.42). Transition Macbeth now sees Banquo and Fleance as a threat to the throne because of the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s sons will be kings and because “[Banquo] hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor,” a control of impulses Macbeth lacks (3.1.52). Macbeth has murderers kill Banquo and attempt to kill Fleance because of…

    • 1131 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Lady Macbeth's Input Essay

    • 1033 Words
    • 5 Pages

    He starts to rely more on himself and his own judgement. After King Duncan is killed Banquo immediately knows who killed him because he was there when the altercation with the Weird Sisters happened. However, since Macbeth realizes this too, he immediately is scared of Banquo and feels he may turn him in. However, little does Macbeth know Banquo is not going to say anything because he wants his sons to become kings like the Weird Sisters said. Since Macbeth is so scared of being found guilty of killing King Duncan by Banquo he hires a group of two murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance while they are horseback riding. Lady Macbeth has no idea this is happening and starts to feel uncomfortable and unsafe because she is no longer able to control Macbeth as much. As the night drags on, Macbeth starts to dangle that something is going to happen that night to Lady Macbeth, but he will not tell her what - little does she know Banquo will be dead by dinnertime (Act III, Scene 1 and 2). After Banquo is out of the way and Macbeth can start thinking about other things he comes to realize that there was one more person who did not attend his crowning or the banquet - Macduff. Upon realizing this Macbeth catches wind of information that Macduff has fled to England to talk to Malcolm and get an army from the English king to overthrow Macbeth and take back the throne (Act III, Scene…

    • 1033 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Macbeth decides that the only solution to cover up his previous murder, and prevent any rumors about Duncan and Macbeth to disappear is to eliminate the root of the problem. Macbeth is smart with his plan considering Banquo is a “somebody” in Scotland. Macbeth also intends to kill Fleance, due to Banquo’s prophecy “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (1.1.70). Risking Macbeth’s throne to Banquo’s descendants is a risk he cannot take; by eliminating both Banquo and Fleance, he has no fear.…

    • 851 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The prophecy told to Banquo by the witches said that Banquo would father many kings. Macbeth starts to fear the possibility of losing his control over the throne. Despite the fact that Banquo was an old friend of his, he hires murderers to assassinate Banquo and Fleance. During the banquet, the murderers report back to him and tell him that Banquo is dead. However, they also tell him that Fleance escaped. This drives Macbeth mad and he starts acting odd. This is simply the beginning of Macbeth's…

    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Even if the witches had never prophesied Macbeth’s future, his personality and influences would have caused him to attempt to become King. Shortly after the witches first appearance, Macbeth’s ambition can be seen when his ‘black and deep desires’ (Act I, Sc IV, 51) lead him to see Duncan’s son, the heir to the throne, as ‘A step on which [he] must fall down, or else o’erleap, for in [his] way [to the crown] it lies’ (Act I, Sc IV, 48-50). Correspondingly, Lady Macbeth’s impact over, and desire to advance her husband is shown when Macbeth states ‘We will proceed no further in this business’ (Act I, Sc VII, 31) in regards to the murder of Duncan, and Lady Macbeth calls him a ‘coward’ (Act I, Sc VII, 43) and asks ‘Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself’ (Act I, Sc VII, 35-6) to encourage him to go through with the murder. In contrast to Macbeth, after Banquo hears the witches predict ‘Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none’ (Act I, Sc III, 65) he does not act on the prediction by attempting to make his son, Fleance, king. Comparing how Macbeth and Banquo react to the witches’ predictions illustrates to us that Macbeth’s character and influences are part of the reason he acts on the prophecies Although, there is no evidence to suggest that Macbeth had thought about becoming king prior to his…

    • 1255 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Macbeth remains greedy and is in lust for power and views others who could possibly be threatening his three prophecies from coming true. Banquo, Macbeth's fellow military commander, was present when macbeth received his three prophecies which spikes Macbeth's envy towards Banquo, Furthermore Macbeth also heard Banquo's prophecies which were unclear to Macbeth. Finally, Macbeth comes to the conclusion that he must kill Banquo, he sends two murders to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance. As Macbeth is at a dinner with his wife, lady Macbeth along with many other supporters of Macbeth becoming king, he is called upon by a man who delivers the news that Banquo is dead but that fleance has escaped the murderers. Macbeth returns to the table in fear as the killing of fleance did not turn as planned, Lennox, a nobleman invites Macbeth to take a…

    • 790 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Macbeth and Banquo’s reaction to the prophecy resulted in two different opinions which were affected by the witch’s claims. As the witches told the prophecy, Macbeth and Banquo’s reactions were opposite throughout and they raised awareness upon their actions hereafter. “All Hail Macbeth, That shalt be king hereafter.” (1, 3, 48). After hearing this statement from the third witch, Macbeth is very hesitant and senses fear upon his fortune. However, Banquo seems to be quite optimistic about the prophecy. “… Why do you start and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair?” (1, 3, 49-50). Banquo shows to have faith in the prophecy but doesn’t strongly believe in it as much as Macbeth. Macbeth is intrigued by the words of the three witches, on contrary Banquo seems intrigued and optimistic as well but has faith in that everything will happen for a reason and that there isn’t any truth of the future that is being told.…

    • 342 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays