Macbeth is one of the most famous plays written by William Shakespeare. It’s a dark and violent play that shows the consequences of ambition and betrayal. In the play, Macbeth becomes king of Scotland by murdering his way to the throne. However, his paranoia begins to consume him, and he becomes obsessed with maintaining his power. One of the key moments in the play is when Macbeth convinces the murderers to kill Banquo.
Who is Banquo?
Banquo is a character in the play who is a friend and ally of Macbeth. He is a brave and honorable soldier who fought alongside Macbeth in battle. However, he also represents a threat to Macbeth’s reign. According to the witches’ prophecy, Banquo’s descendants will become kings, which means that Macbeth’s hold on the throne is not secure.
Why Does Macbeth Want Banquo Dead?
Macbeth becomes paranoid and obsessed with maintaining his power. He is afraid that Banquo’s descendants will take the throne from him, just as the witches predicted. He also believes that Banquo knows too much about the murders that Macbeth has committed to become king. For these reasons, he decides that Banquo must be killed.
How Does Macbeth Convince the Murderers?
Macbeth hires two murderers to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance. However, he needs to convince them to do the job. He appeals to their greed and sense of revenge. He reminds them that Banquo is responsible for their poverty and that he has wronged them in the past. He also offers them a reward for their services.
The First Murderer’s Speech
The first murderer is hesitant to kill Banquo, but Macbeth convinces him with a powerful speech. Macbeth reminds the murderer that he himself was once poor and that Banquo is responsible for his poverty. He also tells the murderer that Banquo is his enemy and that he must be eliminated. Macbeth uses rhetoric to manipulate the murderer’s emotions and convince him to do the job.
The Second Murderer’s Speech
The second murderer is even more hesitant than the first, but Macbeth manages to convince him as well. Macbeth appeals to the murderer’s desire for revenge. He tells him that Banquo is responsible for his troubles and that he deserves to die. Macbeth also offers the murderer a reward for his services, which finally convinces him to do the job.
The Murder of Banquo and Fleance
The murderers carry out the job and kill Banquo, but Fleance manages to escape. This is a moment of great tension in the play, as Macbeth’s hold on the throne is still not secure. He is relieved that Banquo is dead, but he knows that he must eliminate all threats to his reign.
The Consequences of Murder
The murder of Banquo has serious consequences for Macbeth. He becomes even more paranoid and obsessed with maintaining his power. He begins to see ghosts and is tormented by guilt. He also becomes increasingly isolated and mistrustful of those around him. The murder of Banquo is a turning point in the play, as Macbeth’s downfall begins to accelerate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Macbeth convinces the murderers to kill Banquo by appealing to their greed, sense of revenge, and desire for a reward. He uses rhetoric to manipulate their emotions and convince them to do the job. The murder of Banquo has serious consequences for Macbeth, as it accelerates his downfall and leads to his eventual demise. The play is a cautionary tale about ambition, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power.