transcript
show notes
The witches tell Macbeth that he will be king. They tell Banquo that his descendants will be kings. Before Duncan dies, Macbeth hears the first promise as an invitation. Once he possesses the crown, he remembers the second as a threat. Nothing new needs to happen to frighten him. The prophecy that made him feel chosen has contained a limit on his achievement from the start.
Banquo heard the original predictions. He also knows the circumstances in which Duncan was Macbeth's guest. His significance reaches beyond the possibility that he could denounce the new king. When Macbeth looks at him, he sees someone who received an extraordinary promise without immediately deciding to murder for it. Banquo's existence makes Macbeth's choice look like a choice again.
