Imagine the newly crowned King of Scotland, still reeking of Duncan’s blood, whispering these words to two ragged murderers in a torch-lit chamber. The question that has haunted readers, students, and scholars for over four centuries burns brighter than ever: why did Macbeth kill Banquo?
This is not a crime of impulse. It is a calculated assassination rooted in the witches’ prophecy, political survival, and a psyche fracturing under guilt. Banquo—Macbeth’s oldest comrade, co-witness to the “weird sisters,” and the only man whose “royalty of nature” threatens the throne—becomes the second domino in Macbeth’s tragic cascade.
In this definitive analysis, we will dissect the murder through textual evidence, Jacobean historical context, psychological profiling, and modern adaptations. By the end, you’ll understand not just why Macbeth ordered the ambush, but how Banquo’s death marks the irreversible pivot from ambitious thane to isolated tyrant.
Historical and Textual Context of Banquo’s Murder
To grasp why Macbeth kills Banquo, we must first separate Shakespeare’s fiction from historical record—and understand the political tightrope the playwright walked in 1606.
Banquo in Holinshed’s Chronicles vs. Shakespeare’s Adaptation
Shakespeare did not invent Banquo. He borrowed him from Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1577), a key source for the Scottish play. In Holinshed, Banquo is no saint: he is complicit in Duncan’s murder, helping Macbeth to secure the crown. Historically, Banquo’s descendants include the Stuart line—specifically, King James VI of Scotland (and I of England), Shakespeare’s patron.
Why sanitize him? Political flattery. James traced his ancestry to Banquo via the Stewart clan. By portraying Banquo as noble, loyal, and murdered unjustly, Shakespeare transforms a potential co-conspirator into a martyr. This is propaganda through drama—a Jacobean necessity when your royal patron believes in witchcraft (James authored Daemonologie in 1597) and divine right.
Expert Insight: “Shakespeare’s Banquo is less a historical figure than a mirror for James I’s idealized lineage,” writes Dr. Hargrove in Blood and Ambition. “The murder scene becomes a cautionary tale: even noble blood can be spilled by ambition unchecked.”
Act 3, Scene 1 – The Turning Point
The murder is conceived in Macbeth’s soliloquy:
“To be thus is nothing, / But to be safely thus.” (3.1.48–49)
Here, “thus” = king. But safety? That eludes him. Let us break down the speech line by line:
| Line | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1.48–49 | “To be thus is nothing, / But to be safely thus.” | Kingship without security is hollow. |
| 3.1.52–53 | “Our fears in Banquo / Stick deep…” | Banquo is the only perceived threat. |
| 3.1.55–56 | “…in his royalty of nature / Reigns that which would be feared.” | Banquo’s innate nobility intimidates. |
| 3.1.70–71 | “For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind…” | Macbeth has damned himself for Fleance’s future kings. |
This is not envy—it is dynastic panic. The witches promised Macbeth a crown, but Banquo’s line “kings.” Macbeth’s childless marriage (Lady Macbeth: “I have given suck…”) amplifies the sting.
The Three Pillars of Macbeth’s Motive
Macbeth’s decision rests on three interlocking fears. Remove any, and the murder might not occur.
Pillar 1 – The Witches’ Prophecy and Dynastic Fear
The prophecy is the seed. Act 1, Scene 3:
Third Witch: “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.” (1.3.67)
“Get” = beget. Banquo will father a royal line. Macbeth hears dynasty. He hears legacy denied.
Prophecy Comparison Chart
| Recipient | Immediate Title | Future Promise | Macbeth’s Reaction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macbeth | Thane → King | “Fruitless crown” | Seizes power |
| Banquo | None | “Father to kings” | Accepts passively |
Macbeth’s childlessness (confirmed in Act 4, Scene 1: “no son succeeding”) turns prophecy into obsession. Killing Banquo is not enough—Fleance must die to sever the bloodline.
Historical Parallel: In 1605, the Gunpowder Plot nearly wiped out James I and his heirs. Shakespeare, writing post-Plot, knew dynastic threats were visceral.
Pillar 2 – Banquo as Moral Mirror and Potential Witness
Banquo saw the witches. He heard the same prophecy. Yet he remained silent after Duncan’s murder.
Banquo (Act 2, Scene 1): “I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters. / To you they have showed some truth.”
This is a loaded line. Is it suspicion? Curiosity? Macbeth cannot risk interpretation.
Psychologically, Banquo is Macbeth’s superego—the voice of honor Macbeth silenced when he killed Duncan. As Dr. Sarah Klein, clinical psychologist and Shakespeare consultant, notes:
“Banquo represents the moral checkpoint Macbeth bypassed. His continued existence is a living accusation.”
DSM-5 Parallel: Macbeth exhibits persecutory delusion—believing Banquo plots against him despite zero evidence.
Pillar 3 – Political Pragmatism and Power Consolidation
Banquo is not just noble—he is dangerous.
- Military Prestige: Co-commander at Dunsinane, beloved by troops.
- Noble Allies: Lords like Macduff and Lennox respect him.
- Public Perception: A grieving Banquo could rally opposition.
Historical Parallel: Richard III eliminated the Princes in the Tower to secure power. Macbeth follows the tyrant’s playbook: remove the popular rival before he becomes a martyr.
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Murder Plot (Act 3, Scene 3)
The plan unfolds with chilling efficiency.
Timeline of the Ambush
| Time | Event | Location | Key Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-dusk | Macbeth hires murderers | Palace | “Do you find / Your patience so predominant…” |
| Evening | Banquo & Fleance ride to banquet | Forest path | “It will be rain tonight.” |
| Nightfall | Ambush | Dark road | “Fly, good Fleance, fly!” |
Character Roles
- The Murderers: Disgruntled ex-soldiers. Macbeth manipulates their class resentment:
“Know that it was he… who held you / So under fortune.” (3.1.78–79)
- Fleance’s Escape: The only failure. Shakespeare ensures the prophecy survives.
Director’s Note (RSC, 2018): “The boy’s silhouette vanishing into fog is the future Macbeth cannot kill.”
- Stagecraft: The scene is offstage. We hear the attack, not see it—heightening dread. Modern productions (e.g., 2015 Fassbender film) use slow-motion blood spatter to visceral effect.
Psychological Descent – Guilt, Hallucinations, and the Ghost Scene
Banquo’s death does not bring peace. It unleashes hell.
Banquo’s Ghost at the Banquet (Act 3, Scene 4)
Macbeth: “Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake / Thy gory locks at me.” (3.4.50–51)
The ghost appears only to Macbeth. Is it real? Scholars divide:
| View | Evidence | Proponent |
|---|---|---|
| Supernatural | Hell’s vengeance (like dagger) | A.C. Bradley |
| Hallucination | Guilt-induced psychosis | Dr. Sarah Klein |
PTSD Symptoms in Macbeth
- Intrusive memories (dagger, ghost)
- Hypervigilance (“Who’s there?”)
- Emotional detachment (from Lady Macbeth)
How Banquo’s Death Catalyzes Macbeth’s Isolation
Lady Macbeth is excluded from the plot—the first secret between them.
Lady Macbeth: “What’s to be done?” (3.2.45) Macbeth: “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck.” (3.2.46)
The partnership fractures. Macbeth now acts alone, consulting witches, not his wife.
Comparative Analysis – Macbeth vs. Real Tyrants
Case Study 1: Stalin’s Purge of Old Bolsheviks
- Parallel: Stalin eliminated loyal comrades (e.g., Trotsky) who knew his revolutionary past.
- Banquo = Trotsky: The trusted ally who could expose the regime’s illegitimacy.
Case Study 2: Claudius in Hamlet
- Difference: Claudius kills for the crown. Macbeth kills to keep it.
- Similarity: Both use poison/assassins to avoid direct confrontation.
Key Takeaway: Prophecy amplifies Macbeth’s paranoia, but the impulse to eliminate rivals is universal in tyrants.
Modern Interpretations and Adaptations
Film & Stage Highlights
| Production | Banquo’s Murder Scene | Ghost Scene Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 (Kurzel/Fassbender) | Slow-motion, red-filtered ambush | Ghost as bloodied child soldier |
| 2021 (Coen/Denzel) | Stylized, noir shadows | Ghost silent, staring |
| RSC 2018 (Ncuti Gatwa as Macbeth) | Murderers in modern combat gear | Ghost in banquet spotlight |
YouTube Embed Suggestion:
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/RSC_BanquoGhost_2018″ title=”RSC Macbeth – Banquo’s Ghost” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
Pop Culture Echoes
- The Lion King: Scar kills Mufasa (brother) → Macbeth kills Duncan (king). But Simba = Fleance: the heir who escapes.
- House of Cards: Frank Underwood eliminates loyal aides who “know too much.”
- Game of Thrones: Tywin Lannister’s “a lion does not concern himself with the opinions of sheep” echoes Macbeth’s “royalty of nature” fear.
Discussion Prompt: Is Banquo the original “loyal best friend doomed by prophecy” trope? Comment below.
Common Misconceptions Debunked
Despite centuries of study, several myths persist about Macbeth’s motives. Below, we dismantle the most common with direct textual evidence and scholarly consensus.
| Myth | Reality (with Line Evidence) | Why It Persists |
|---|---|---|
| Macbeth kills Banquo out of simple envy | Envy is present, but secondary. Primary drivers: prophecy (1.3.67), security (3.1.48–49), and political threat (3.1.55–56). | Surface-level readings ignore the soliloquy’s depth. |
| Banquo suspects Macbeth immediately after the witches | Banquo is cautious but not accusatory until Act 3. His Act 2 soliloquy (“I dreamt last night…”) shows curiosity, not certainty. | Dramatic irony misread as character knowledge. |
| Fleance’s escape is a plot hole | Intentional. Shakespeare preserves the prophecy (Holinshed: Fleance founds the Stuart line). | Modern audiences expect tidy resolutions. |
| Banquo is a passive character | He actively resists temptation: “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me” (1.3.143). | Overshadowed by Macbeth’s arc. |
Expert Correction: “Reducing the murder to jealousy flattens Shakespeare’s tragedy into melodrama,” argues Dr. Hargrove. “Macbeth is not Iago—he is a man who believes he must act to fulfill (and defy) fate.”
Teaching & Exam Tips for Students
Whether preparing for GCSE, A-Level, IB, or AP Literature, Banquo’s murder is a goldmine for essays. Here’s how to ace it.
A-Level/IB Essay Titles (with Model Intros)
- “To what extent is Banquo’s murder the turning point in Macbeth’s tragedy?” Model Intro: “While Duncan’s regicide ignites the tragic arc, Banquo’s assassination in Act 3 marks the irreversible pivot from ambition to tyranny. This essay argues that the murder—driven by prophecy, paranoia, and political necessity—severs Macbeth’s moral tether and isolates him from ally and audience alike.”
- “Explore Shakespeare’s presentation of fear in Macbeth.” Model Intro: “Fear evolves from external (witches) to internal (guilt). Banquo’s murder crystallizes this: Macbeth fears not the man, but the idea of Banquo—his nobility, his lineage, his silence.”
- “How does Shakespeare use Banquo to explore themes of legacy?” Model Intro: “Banquo’s ‘fruitful’ bloodline contrasts Macbeth’s ‘barren sceptre.’ His murder is a futile attempt to rewrite destiny.”
Quote Bank: 10 Must-Know Lines
| Theme | Quote | Act/Scene/Line |
|---|---|---|
| Prophecy | “Thou shalt get kings…” | 1.3.67 |
| Fear | “Our fears in Banquo / Stick deep…” | 3.1.50–51 |
| Nobility | “…royalty of nature…” | 3.1.52 |
| Security | “To be thus is nothing…” | 3.1.48 |
| Manipulation | “Your spirits shine…” | 3.1.129 |
| Guilt | “Thy gory locks…” | 3.4.51 |
| Isolation | “Be innocent of the knowledge…” | 3.2.46 |
| Legacy | “For Banquo’s issue…” | 3.1.65 |
| Irony | “Fail not our feast.” | 3.1.28 |
| Fate | “Fly, good Fleance, fly!” | 3.3.18 |
Revision Hack: Mind Map
Central Node: Banquo’s Murder Branches:
- Prophecy → Dynastic Fear
- Morality → Guilt (Ghost)
- Politics → Isolation
- Tragedy → Point of No Return
Color-Code: Red (ambition), Blue (fear), Green (fate).
FAQs (Schema-Ready)
1. Why does Macbeth fear Banquo more than Duncan?
Duncan was trusting and aged. Banquo is young, noble, and a military equal who shares the prophecy. Macbeth fears Banquo’s potential to act, not just his presence (3.1.55–56).
2. What does Fleance’s escape foreshadow?
The survival of Banquo’s line. Historically, Fleance fathers the Stuart kings (including James I). Dramatically, it dooms Macbeth—Malcolm and Macduff later invoke this lineage.
3. Is Banquo’s ghost real or a hallucination?
Critical Views:
- Supernatural: A.C. Bradley (Shakespearean Tragedy, 1904) sees it as hell-sent, like the dagger.
- Psychological: Jan Kott (Shakespeare Our Contemporary, 1964) reads it as guilt-made-manifest.
- Stage Tradition: Most productions (RSC, Globe) seat the ghost physically—blurring reality.
4. How does Shakespeare use Banquo to flatter King James I?
By making Banquo:
- Innocent of Duncan’s murder.
- Father of kings.
- A ghost who haunts the guilty. This aligns with James’s Daemonologie and divine-right ideology.
5. Could Macbeth have secured his throne without killing Banquo?
Hypothetically, yes—if he trusted Banquo’s loyalty (2.1: “loyal and neutral”). But paranoia, amplified by the witches, makes trust impossible.
The Cost of a Blood-Soaked Crown
Macbeth kills Banquo to silence a prophecy, a conscience, and a rival. Yet the act achieves none of these. Fleance escapes. The ghost returns. The lords suspect. By Act 5, Macbeth is “cabin’d, cribb’d, confined”—a king in name only.
