Skip to main content

How do Banquo's children become king after Macbeth dies?

Banquo is Macbeth's closest friend and fellow thane.  He, in a way, represents wisdom, morality and rational thought.  Unfortunately, he doesn't live long, but we will get to that later.


After Macbeth and Banquo leave the scene of battle and head towards their king's encampment, they meet the three witches in the woods.  They declare a prophecy for Macbeth that he will be given a new title and soon be king. Indeed, these both come...

Banquo is Macbeth's closest friend and fellow thane.  He, in a way, represents wisdom, morality and rational thought.  Unfortunately, he doesn't live long, but we will get to that later.


After Macbeth and Banquo leave the scene of battle and head towards their king's encampment, they meet the three witches in the woods.  They declare a prophecy for Macbeth that he will be given a new title and soon be king. Indeed, these both come true.


Banquo's prophecies are less clear.  The final one is as follows:



Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.(70)
So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!



The implication is that Banquo will be the father of a line of kings, but not be a king himself.  As a result, Macbeth's reign will be short, without any of his future children ruling at all.  Macbeth decides to kill Banquo, and his son, in the hopes of changing the prophecy.  While he succeeds in killing Banquo, he does not succeed in killing Banquo's son, Fleance.  


We can assume that Fleance will grow older and return to Scotland.  Because Macbeth is beheaded at the end of the play, Malcolm rises to the throne.  At this point, nobody knows exactly how Fleance, or any of Fleance's children, will become king.  However, the prophecies have all come true so far, we can imagine they would continue to do so.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more