Banquo's Betrayal In Macbeth

Macbeth shows how he betrays his own best friend and sends out assassins to have Banquo dead. The development of this trait is on account of his greed for power. Despite already murdering Duncan horridly, he becomes unmerciful as his greediness comes in the way of his morals. In conclusion, the mercy he does not show contributes to the factors that lead to his

Secondly, Macbeth sees Banquo as a threat stating, “But to be safely thus: our fears in Banquo” (Shakespeare 3.1.53). Macbeth suggesting Banquo as a threat foreshadows his plan to murder Banquo. Additionally, it proves his paranoia since he is willing to commit another murder to conceal his first. Since, Macbeth did not want anyone to discover his murder, he knows how murder is viewed proving his opposition to

Greed and jealousy live inside everyone, but one must refrain from these thoughts to prevent self destruction. In William Shakespeare's Elizabethan era Tragedy Macbeth, Shakespeare uses betrayal as a vehicle for obtaining power for selfish means, and illustrates the grave costs of betrayal to the individual. Greed often fuels an uncontrolled lust for power. Shakespeare reveals the extent of Macbeth’s greed when Macbeth's first thought regarding the witches prophecy stir thoughts of murder: “ My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical”(I.iii.152). Most individuals do not think one should murder someone to obtain what you desire.

With Macbeth being a general in the Scottish military, he had major influences on people and their daily lives. After the murder of King Duncan, Banquo’s suspicion of who committed the murders arose around a single suspect, Macbeth. Knowing that Banquo most likely knew the truth that Macbeth killed King Duncan, Macbeth went back to his evil ways with ease. Through his attendant, Macbeth summons three murderers. Shakespeare introduces the murders with stage direction “[Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers]” (Shakespeare, 363), in which Macbeth he uses Banquo as bait in order to gain their graces and loyalty “That it was he in the times past which held you so under fortune, which you thought had been our innocent self: this I made good to you in our last conference, pass'd in probation with you, how you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments, who wrought with them, and all things else that might, so half a soul and to a notion crazed, Say 'Thus did Banquo.'”

Banquo says, “I fear thou play’ds most foully for’t” (Act 3 sc 1 lines 2-3). I feel that Banquo is seeing that Macbeth is getting everything that he wants and Banquo is noticing that it’s out of the ordinary and he ends up getting suspicious of Macbeth. Macbeth notices that Banquo is getting suspicious of him. Also, the weird sister told Macbeth that one of Banquo sons is going to be king one day. Macbeth doesn’t like the idea of both of these, so Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance.

Being that Banquo seemed suspicious of Macbeth subsequently the night of the king 's death. Apprehensive of his throne Macbeth would do anything in his power to prevent even the slightest chance for anyone to take the throne from him.

Additionally, it also accentuates the unjust nature of Banquo’s murder later on. This is due to the fact that unlike Macbeth, he remained true to his reputation until his death. The night that King Duncan is scheduled to visit Macbeth’s, Lady Macbeth warns him to act normal to avoid suspicion and

After the killers told mAcbeth that they had killed Banquo, he states,¨'Tis better thee without than he within. Is he dispatched?¨ (III.iv.15). This quote reveals that he was cruel because we see Banquo as an honorable man and even Macbeth's best friend. The fact that Macbeth had Banquo killed just because he was suspicious tells the reader that Macbeth Is cruel.

Macbeth is telling the murders that they need to kill Banquo and Fleance because they will interfere with his plans. He has to hide his real plans away from everybody else. In conclusion, Macbeth is a cruel and wicked person because he has killed the king and needs other people to go kill Banquo and Fleance so he could hide his real

His capricious and malicious acts prove how naive and vile he is as a person. Macbeth even attempts to kill Banquo to prevent any trace of his nature from making him, a “fruitless crown.” Macbeth states, “Must lave or honors in the flattering streams, and make our face vizards to our heart, disguising who we are,”(3.2.45). With such desperation, Macbeth is willing to include other people in his premeditated murder. By having Lady Macbeth be part of his plot to kill Banquo, Macbeth reveals two things about himself: That he does not value those around him, even if they are his loved ones, and that he places his personal success over all aspects of his life.

They told Macbeth that he was going to be king, and told Banquo that his children were going to be king. With the knowledge that there is a possibility to become king, along with the selfish human nature, noble Macbeth was easily swayed by this prophecy. At first, Macbeth’s conscience took care of his ambitions, he was afraid he would betray the king, because he knew that he was “his kinsman and his subject” (1.7.13). However as the three witches continue to encourage Macbeth with carefully chosen words, he eventually pushes his conscience away and committed crimes that were dishonourable. Macbeth, easily controlled by his ambitions, loses his noble and heroic title in fear of losing his power.

Macbeth feels his destiny is to murder King Duncan and become the King of Scotland, which is why Macbeth promises Lady Macbeth achieve his destiny. Therefore, Macbeth’s ambition for power leads to the death of King Duncan. Moreover, Macbeth’s ambition for power triggers the massacre the ones who impede him from his pathway to the Scottish Throne. First, Macbeth has murderers kill Banquo to avoid obstructions in his plan to become the King of Scotland. Macbeth tells the three murderers hired: “…

Eventually, he then acts upon his greed and abandons his morals through the vile words of Lady Macbeth. After the king 's death, Macbeth expresses his hatred towards killing the king "I have no spur/To prick the sides of my intent, but only/Vaulting ambition, which overlaps itself/And falls on the ' other. " Specifically, under his new state of power, he was taking extra precautions to prevent anyone from taking his dignity and bloodline. Simultaneously becoming apprehensive of his throne for this purpose he kills Banquo otherwise his descendants will inherit the throne, and the killing of Macduff 's family since Macbeth was suspicious of his downfall might be coming. "

it finds heaven, must find it out tonight” (III, ii, 161-2). In this quote, Macbeth explicitly states that he is going to murder Banquo because to protect his kingship. This showcases Macbeth’s motivation to achieve his goal, at any cost. He is willing to murder his kinsmen to achieve his goal.

Macbeth needs to follow through with this plan because Fleance and Banquo could get in the way of Macbeth becoming King. The three witches had also foretold Banquo’s descendants to become king. Macbeth sends men to follow through with this plan. They succeed to kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes. After being responsible for the deaths of two people, Duncan and Banquo, Macbeth is in a state where he feels the need to keep murdering people that could possibly get in his way of becoming king.