In this particular scene things start to go from bad to worse in Macbeth’s castle, first off the murder of King Duncan. But now things are stirring rapidly in the castle as Macbeth declares Banquo’s murder?! Alright let’s back up for a second here. Let’s go over something here, didn’t Macbeth and Banquo be partners in war? And didn’t they work together as one to achieve the goal of Macbeth becoming king? But now it has turned form friends to enemies… Today I shall explain this occurrence of bad omen towards Banquo.
If we go back a few scenes. Back to Act 2, Scene 2. When the tragedy of King Duncan’s murder took place, when Macbeth took the step of the devil’s path and slayed King Duncan in his sleep. Then if we skip towards to Act 2 Scene 3. The morning after King Duncan was killed. Banquo would become slightly suspicious of who killed King Duncan, he would be guessing that Malcolm and Donalbain would be behind this because since they were prince’s. Perhaps they wanted to speed up the process by killing off their father Duncan, as Macbeth is left guilty. He plays dumb like nothing had happened and says. “Had I but died an hour before this chance,
I had lived a blessed time; for, from this instant,
There ‘s nothing serious in mortality:
All is but toys: renown and grace is dead;
The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees
Is left this vault to brag of.“
This is a clear sign that Macbeth know’s his guilt will take over him. But another thing we should go back to on the scene I should be discussing about (Act 3 Scene 1) Is what caused Macbeth to make such a decision. Well if we look at the part where Macbeth finishes his Soliloquy, the Attendant walks in with two Murderers, then leaves. Then as soon as Macbeth begins talking, at the end he says. “the instruments,
Who wrought with them, and all things else that might
To half a soul and to a notion crazed
Say ‘Thus did Banquo.“
Macbeth is giving clear warning to the Murderers that Banquo is Macbeth’s enemy. To conclude the reason for this is that Banquo. If Macbeth dies is not to become King…