Banquo's Fate Analysis

What would one do if he could know his own fate? The dream of knowing one future has been looked upon for all of human history. Throughout the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth learns of his fate long before it happens. Macbeth, who is currently a general, is told of his bright and glorious future by three witches, who leave out his journey to his future. Macbeth then schemes and betrays in order to help his amazing future come true, changing his journey to his fate. By knowing their fate Banquo, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth manipulate their journeys.

Banquo, another general, learns of his fate with Macbeth. Banquo’s fate is told to be “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. Not so happy, yet much happier…”(1.3.62), this begins to make Banquo feel lesser than Macbeth. Banquo begins to wonder “why… may they not be [his] oracles as well…”(3.1.7) A feeling of jealousy arises as Macbeth becomes king as well as a feeling of suspicion, suspicion that leads to Banquo’s death. Because Banquo had heard the wonderful things that Macbeth would be, Macbeth thought Banquo would discover the truth of Duncan’s death.

Knowing, not only his own, but also Macbeth’s fate lead to Banquo’s murder. If Banquo had never heard of their fates he might have ruled next to Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth sees her fate as parallel to Macbeth’s.

Seeing great power in her future Lady Macbeth is ready to take extreme measures to “be what thou art promised…”(1.5). Lady Macbeth even begins the scheme to kill Duncan to ensure the crown. As she discovers that Duncan is coming to dinner she states, “the raven himself is hoarse that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan” (1.5). Lady Macbeth is so sure of Duncan’s death she assumes the symbol of death itself knows Duncan will be killed. Lady Macbeth however would not have acted in this way if she had not known her future. Lady Macbeth even suffers from night terrors and tells her gentlewoman that “what’s done cannot be undone”(5.1), speaking of Banquo and Duncan’s deaths. The guilt Lady Macbeth feels at the end of the play shows the actions she took may have never been taken if she did not know her

fate.
Macbeth does not only let knowing his fate affect his journey, he also lets it affect his attitude, his judgment, and his courage. Macbeth began very hesitant of helping his fate become reality, even though he saw the opportunity he did not want to go against his king Duncan. Because Banquo knew his fate, Macbeth’s “fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be befeared”(3.1 ). Banquo would be the only one to see suspicion in Macbeth for the death of Duncan. Macbeth also puts full trust in the futures told by the witches. Macbeth believes he is undefeatable because of these oracles. He sees his life as “...charmed..” that “...must not yield to one of woman born”(5.8). Due to this oracle Macbeth becomes fearless against Macduff, whom would not have killed Macbeth if he acted with fear. Knowing his future not only ruined Macbeth’s life but it also took that life away from him.
After seeing the outcomes of Banquo, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth’s lives, why would anyone want to know their fate? All three characters would have experienced completely different journeys to get to their “glorious” futures. Even amazing future should be discovered through living them. By knowing their fate Banquo, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth manipulate their journeys.