Macbeth Group

Question:

cristy8693
cristy8693
Student
High School - 10th Grade

What prophecy is given to Banquo in "Macbeth"?

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Posted by cristy8693 on Tuesday December 16, 2008 at 1:47 PM and tagged with banquo, fleance, kings, macbeth, prophecy, shakespeare, witches.

Answers:

  1. english12ng
    english12ng Student
    High School - 12th Grade

    The prophecy is that His sons will be kings but he will never be king

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    Posted by english12ng on Tuesday December 16, 2008 at 2:12 PM


  2. robertwilliam

    eNotes Editor

    FIRST WITCH:
    Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.

    SECOND WITCH:
    Not so happy, yet much happier.

    THIRD WITCH:
    Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.
    So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!

    These are the prophecies the witches make to Banquo: he'll be less than Macbeth but greater (which ends up meaning that he'll be less powerful politically but morally greater!) not as happy (in terms of wealth) but ultimately happier, and the father of kings though he shall never be king himself.

    Interestingly - Fleance, Macbeth's son is never crowned at the end of the play; it's usually assumed that Shakespeare is referring to James I, on the throne when Macbeth was written, who descended frmo Banquo.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth-text/act-i-scene-iii

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    Posted by robertwilliam on Tuesday December 16, 2008 at 2:33 PM