The Importance Of Banquo's Ghost In Macbeth

The appearance of Banquo’s ghost in act 3, scene 4 - after he was murdered by the murderers hired by Macbeth - is of great importance to the story development and Macbeths inner conflict. Because the drama builds up in intensity up to the point where Macbeth commits regicide and the body of Duncan is discovered, at this point in the story, a new status quo has been established by the fact that Macbeth has successfully committed the crime despite his uncertainty and has been crowned king. Therefore, sustaining the dramatic tension is not only desired but necessary at this point, to keep the audience’s attention at bay. The story takes on another great turn when Macbeth murders Banquo but fails to murder his son, Fleance which increases his insecurity even more. Soon after, the story intensifies even further and approaches its climax by one step when the bloody ghost of Banquo appears at the banquet which causes Macbeth to feel guilt-ridden and anxious. The realization that by killing Duncan, he had made it possible for Banquo’s progeny to inherit the throne dawns on him. In my opinion, this is the turning point in the play because of the fact that it demonstrates Macbeth fighting against fate itself, the same fate that drove him to murder and crowned him king. Up to this point in the story, fate has been in Macbeth’s favor and his approach to the throne has been an unbroken series of successes which is now cut by the escape of Fleance. Consequently the haunting of Banquo’s