There are definitely two reasons for the appearance of Banquos ghost at the banquet. Sometimes it is hard to do all the work on your own. ", -Macbeth you to an academic expert within 3 minutes. Wed love to know what you think about the Shakespeare Learning Zone. The witches tell Macbeth he will become thane of Cawdor and "king thereafter" and they tell Banquo he will not become a king but his children will become kings. for a group? 60) about the witches' prophecies, Banquo is skeptical of the witches and their prophecies. Banquo chooses not to act on the prophecy at all. Macbeth becomes so determined to make the promise to become king work out that it sparks evil in his mind. Even though Banquo is his close comrade, Macbeth is now on a single-minded mission to protect himself and his position, and he kills Banquo to maintain the throne. How does Banquo's reaction to the witches differ from Macbeth's? The witches gather on the moor and cast a spell as Macbeth and Banquo arrive. Compare and contrast Macbeth and Banquos reactions to the realization that the first of the witches prophecies has come true. By continuing well assume youre on board with our In the Witches original prophecy, they proclaim that Macbeth will be king but that Banquos son and descendants will be the future kings, while Banquo will never be king himself. Essay. Macbeth chose to act on this. -Duncan's blood is symbol of Macbeth's guilt It was clear that before scrutinizing the prophecy Banquo was much aroused by the witches foretelling of the future, but after close examination he became tentative towards him possibly becoming a victim of the new found knowledge. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Banquo's desendence because Fleeance wasnt killed. In the. The witches gather on the moor and cast a spell as Macbeth and Banquo arrive. Are they using prose or verse? She openly questions whether he is a man who is willing to act on his desires, asking, Art thou afeard / To be in the same in thine own act and valor / As thou art in desire? (1.7.3941), and further calls his manhood into question by stating, When you durst do it, then you were a man (1.7.49). Sadly it is very apparent that Macbeth is now engulfed in his plans to becoming King using any means necessary. This sets the stage how the play will end, when Macbeth realizes that the Witches' prophecy will come true, and Banquo's children will rule Scotland. What kind of reaction do Banquo and Macbeth have at this news? First, he is a reminder of Macbeths guilt and foreshadows even more deaths to come as well as Banquos lineage and claim to the throne.