Anisha Riggs
In Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, Macbeth's banquet, which celebrates his coronation as king, is marked by the absence of Banquo, whom Macbeth had killed due to his fear of Banquo's descendants ascending the throne. This absence incenses Macbeth as it raises concerns about the prophecy of Banquo's heirs becoming kings and the potential threat to his reign. Banquo's ghost appears at the banquet, visible only to Macbeth, further disturbing him and leading to his bizarre behavior that puzzles and disturbs his subjects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of character who did not attend the banquet | Banquo |
| Reason for absence | Macbeth had him killed |
| Reason for Macbeth's concern about his absence | Macbeth was concerned about the prophecy that Banquo's descendants would be kings and his plans against Macbeth |
| Other absentees | Duncan (because Macbeth had murdered him), Duncan's sons (Malcolm and Donalbain), Duncan's attendants, Fleance (Banquo's son), Macduff |
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What You'll Learn
Banquo, who Macbeth had killed
Banquo's absence at the banquet, along with that of his son Fleance, raised concerns about the prophecy of Banquo's heirs being future kings. Macbeth's fear of losing his power is evident in his soliloquy, where he ponders the possibility of Banquo's heirs taking the throne. This concern leads him to perceive Banquo as a threat to his reign.
The witches' prophecies and the relationship between Macbeth and Banquo underscore the tension in the play. Macbeth's anxiety about Banquo's absence is heightened by Macduff's absence from the banquet, which he interprets as a sign of potential treason.
During the banquet, Macbeth is informed of Banquo's death and Fleance's escape. He is angered by the news of Fleance's survival, as he believes that Fleance could still pose a threat to his throne in the future. As Macbeth returns to his guests, he sees Banquo's ghost sitting in his chair, visible only to him. Despite Lady Macbeth's attempts to explain away her husband's behaviour, the reappearance of the ghost and Macbeth's outbursts force her to dismiss the guests.
Alone with Lady Macbeth, Macbeth resolves to consult the witches again, foreseeing a future filled with violence. Thus, Banquo's absence at the banquet, due to his murder at Macbeth's hands, plays a crucial role in incensing Macbeth and furthering the tragedy's plot.
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Banquo's son, Fleance, who escaped
Banquo's son, Fleance, is notably absent from the banquet in Act 3, Scene 4 of Shakespeare's "Macbeth". This is because Fleance has fled for his life after Macbeth ordered Banquo's murder. Macbeth fears that Banquo's descendants will take over the kingdom, according to the prophecies of the three witches, also known as the "Weïrd Sisters".
At the banquet, Macbeth is informed of Banquo's death and Fleance's escape by one of the murderers. Despite Lady Macbeth's attempts to explain away her husband's behaviour as hallucinations, Macbeth's outbursts upon seeing Banquo's ghost force her to dismiss the guests. Alone, Macbeth resolves to meet the witches again, foreseeing a future marked by violence.
Macbeth's reaction to Fleance's escape is one of anger, as he muses that if only Fleance had died, his throne would be secure. He refers to Fleance as "the worm that's fled / Hath nature that in time will venom breed", indicating his fear that Fleance, as Banquo's son, may still pose a threat to his reign.
Fleance's escape sets in motion Macbeth's descent into paranoia and further violence. It is also significant in the context of the witches' prophecies, as they predicted that Banquo's descendants would reign. With Fleance alive and in hiding, the threat to Macbeth's throne remains, driving Macbeth to seek further assurances from the witches and take more drastic actions to secure his power.
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Duncan, who Macbeth had also murdered
The banquet, which was held to celebrate Macbeth's coronation, was thus attended only by those who remained after Duncan's murder and the subsequent exodus of his family and attendants. Macbeth's behaviour at the banquet is bizarre and disturbing, puzzling his subjects and confirming their impression that he is mentally troubled. Macbeth's anxiety and visions, which Lady Macbeth attempts to explain away, stand in stark contrast to his previous cold-blooded and sure-footed demeanour.
The absence of Duncan and his entourage at the banquet is a stark reminder of the violent upheaval that has taken place, with Macbeth's rise to power built on the murder of the previous king. This absence also highlights the fear and uncertainty that now permeate the kingdom, with Macbeth's subjects unsure of what the future holds under their new ruler.
Duncan's absence is a tangible reminder of the consequences of Macbeth's ambition and his desire to fulfil the witches' prophecy that he would become king. By murdering Duncan, Macbeth has not only eliminated a rival but also sent a clear message to those who may oppose him. The banquet, meant to celebrate Macbeth's coronation, is instead filled with an air of tension and unease, with Macbeth's erratic behaviour only serving to heighten the sense of instability.
The absence of Duncan and the subsequent impact on the banquet underscores the theme of power, ambition, and the fragility of life in the play. It also sets the stage for Macbeth's further descent into tyranny and paranoia, as he becomes increasingly unmoored from reality and obsessed with maintaining his ill-gotten throne.
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Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, who fled Scotland
In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee Scotland after their father's murder. As guests at Macbeth's castle, they are suspected of the murder, and so they decide to leave the country. While Donalbain flees to Ireland, his brother, Malcolm, flees to England, where he joins forces with Macduff and another nobleman, Siward (the Elder), to reclaim his birthright from Macbeth.
Malcolm and Donalbain's flight heightens the suspicion of their involvement in Duncan's murder, allowing Macbeth to seize the throne without immediate challenge from the rightful heirs. Their absence from the country consolidates Macbeth's power and contributes to his reign as king.
In Act 5, Scene 4, Malcolm and his army of Englishmen, along with Macduff and Siward, discuss strategies for obscuring their forces and Macbeth's defence plans. In the following scenes, the battle commences, and Malcolm, Macduff, and Siward command forces against Dunsinane Castle, with Siward receiving news that his son was slain.
Malcolm eventually regains the throne after muster[ing] support to overthrow Macbeth, symbolizing a hopeful future for Scotland. Malcolm's restoration is described as a "new planting," reflecting a fresh start and the renewal of peace and justice in the country.
It is worth noting that the banquet scene in Act 3, Scene 4, is significant as it marks the beginning of Macbeth's downfall. During the banquet, Macbeth is informed of Banquo's death and Fleance's escape, and he is confronted by Banquo's ghost, invisible to everyone else. Despite Lady Macbeth's attempts to dismiss her husband's expressions of horror, the reappearance of the ghost forces her to send the guests away. Macbeth's bizarre behaviour disturbs his subjects, confirming their impression of his mental instability.
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Macduff, whose absence Macbeth interpreted as a sign of treason
In Shakespeare's tragedy "Macbeth", the titular character hosts a banquet to celebrate his coronation as king. Notably, Macbeth's subject Macduff is absent from this banquet, and Macbeth interprets this absence as a sign of treason.
Macduff's absence from the banquet is not the only reason for Macbeth's concern. Macbeth is also troubled by the appearance of Banquo's ghost, which only he can see. Banquo was murdered on Macbeth's orders due to a prophecy that Banquo's descendants would reign. Macbeth's behaviour at the banquet, marked by his conversation with Banquo's ghost, puzzles and disturbs his subjects, confirming their impression that he is mentally troubled.
Macduff's absence from the banquet is interpreted by Macbeth as a sign of treason because of a servant-spy's report that Macduff intends to keep away from court. This, combined with the witches' prophecy about Banquo's descendants and Fleance's escape, fuels Macbeth's paranoia and suspicions of treason. Macbeth's concern about Macduff's absence is a pivotal moment in the play, as it marks the beginning of Macbeth's downfall and underscores the tension resulting from the prophecy.
Macduff's absence from the banquet is significant because it contributes to Macbeth's growing paranoia and suspicions of treason. It is also a turning point in the play, as Macbeth's interpretation of Macduff's absence as treason leads him to resolve to do whatever is necessary to keep his throne. This includes further violence and meeting with the witches again to learn more about the future and potential threats to his reign.
Overall, Macduff's absence from the banquet is a crucial element in Shakespeare's "Macbeth", as it contributes to the development of the plot, characterisation of Macbeth, and the exploration of themes such as power, paranoia, and treason.
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Frequently asked questions
Banquo did not attend the banquet as he had been murdered on Macbeth's orders.
Macbeth feared that Banquo's descendants would, according to the witches' prophecies, take over the kingdom.
Macbeth was incensed as one of Banquo's murderers appeared at the door to tell him of Banquo's death and his son Fleance's escape. Macbeth then saw Banquo's ghost, invisible to everyone else, and began to speak to it.
Initially, Lady Macbeth was able to dismiss Macbeth's behaviour as a fit or a hallucination. However, when Macbeth saw the ghost a second time and began to shout, she was forced to send the guests away.
Alone with Lady Macbeth, Macbeth resolved to meet the witches again, foreseeing a future marked by further violence. He also expressed concern about Macduff's absence from the banquet, suspecting him of treason.
