Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Why is it said that Banquo's son would become king although it was Malcolm, Duncan's son, who took over after the death of Macbeth?

It is actually foretold that Banquo's descendents would become kings in the future - "Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none" (1.3).  Also, consider the prophecy shown to Macbeth in Act IV, scene 1:

A show of eight Kings...

 MACBETH: Thou are too like the spirit of Banquo. Down!(125)
Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs. And thy hair,
Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first.
A third is like the former. Filthy hags!
Why do you show me this? A fourth! Start, eyes!
What, will the line stretch out to the crack of doom?(130)
Another yet! A seventh! I'll see no more:
And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass
Which shows me many more; and some I see
That twofold balls and treble sceptres carry:
Horrible sight! Now I see ’tis true;(135)
For the blood-bolter'd Banquo smiles upon me,
And points at them for his. What, is this so?

Fleance, Banquo's son, escaped the murder attempt that killed his father, thus allowing him to live and produce generations descended from Banquo.  It was believed during Shakespeare's times that King James I of England was a descendent of Banquo, so one must consider the fact that Shakespeare was writing for the times and for the person in power at the time.

Check the links below for more information about this great play!

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