Macbeth And Banquo's Threats

Soon after Macbeth becomes king, he sees Banquo and Fleance as threats. He consciously plots their murder to secure his absolute power and avoid accusation. According to the witches’ predictions, Banquo’s descendants will become king. To prevent this, Macbeth hires murderers to kill his best friend, Banquo and his son, Fleance. He says, “Upon my head they plac’d a fruitless crown” (Shakespeare 3.1.60). Macbeth’s thought process is that he refuses to believe he may not have an heir to inherit the throne and it may land on Banquo’s descendants. So he determines to kill Banquo and Fleance. Eventually, Banquo dies but Fleance manages to escape. Later that day, at the banquet, Macbeth hallucinates Banquo’s ghost. In front of all the guests, he says, “never shake / Thy gory locks at me” (Shakespeare 3.4.50). Macbeth is aware of the fact that he is responsible for Banquo’s death. It’s also a sign that his conscience is bothering him. He then confronts his wife that he has to live with the choices he makes. Macbeth says, “I am in blood / Stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more / Returning is as

Plotting their murder is Macbeth’s unconstrained and spontaneous choice. Since acknowledging the witches' apparition, and that Macduff is in England, he becomes more cautious of Macduff. He admits, “The very firstlings of my head shall be / The firstlings of my hand.” (Shakespeare 4.1.147). Macbeth is going to act upon his impulses. Without much consideration, he sends murderers to Macduff’s castle. He says to himself, “His wife, his babies, and all the unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line” (Shakespeare 4.1.153). Macbeth doesn't bother killing innocent people. Eventually, only Lady Macduff and her son are killed. Macbeth becomes more accustomed to doing evil than good. The witches’ apparition may trigger him to the thought of murdering Macduff, but he acts based on his