What Is Macbeth's Lie To Banquo About The Witches' Predictions

Macbeth's Deception: The Lie About the Witches' Predictions

In Shakespeare's Macbeth, the titular character's interaction with the three witches sets in motion a tragic chain of events that ultimately leads to his downfall. Among the most significant moments in this psychological drama is Macbeth's lie to his friend Banquo regarding the witches' predictions. This deception reveals much about Macbeth's character, his growing ambition, and his moral deterioration as the play progresses.

The Witches' Prophecies

The play begins with Macbeth and Banquo encountering three witches who greet Macbeth with prophetic statements. They call him "Thane of Glamis," "Thane of Cawdor," and "King hereafter." Banquo receives his own prophecies: he will be "lesser than Macbeth, and greater" and "not so happy, yet much happier." The witches vanish after making these predictions, leaving the two men to ponder their meaning.

When Macbeth learns that he has been named Thane of Cawdor, the first part of the prophecy comes true, validating the witches' supernatural abilities. This validation plants the seeds of ambition in Macbeth's mind, making him contemplate the possibility of becoming king. Banquo, however, remains skeptical, noting that "oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths, / Win us with honest trifles, to betray's / In deepest consequence.

Macbeth's Lie to Banquo

After the initial encounter with the witches, Macbeth writes to his wife about the strange events. When they meet again, Macbeth shares the witches' predictions with Lady Macbeth, who immediately begins plotting Duncan's murder. Meanwhile, Banquo remains suspicious of the witches' intentions and warns Macbeth about the potential dangers of believing their prophecies.

The crucial moment occurs in Act 2, Scene 1, after Duncan has been murdered. Macbeth encounters Banquo and the following exchange takes place:

MACBETH: I think our country sinks beneath the yoke; It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash Is added to her wounds. I am sick at heart, When I behold this hideous spectacle.

BANQUO: Touch'd with sorrow? Remember what you said. When it seemed fearful to do more than witness What did you do?

MACBETH: Treasonous malice, With violent hands, committed to the ground, Your precious sovereign! Goodnight.

BANQUO: This guest of summer, The temple-haunting martlet, does approve, By his loved mansionry, that heaven's breath Smells wooingly here. No jutty, frieze, Buttre buttress, nor coign of vantage, But this bird hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle Where they most breed and haunt, I've observed, The air is delicate.

MACBETH: To-night we hold a solemn supper, sir, And I'll request your presence.

BANQUO: At your kind'st leisure.

MACBETH: If you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis, It shall make honor for you.

BANquo: So I lose none In seeking to augment it, but still keep The bosom of the injury that I have To recompense.

MACBETH: Very gladly.

BANQUO: Till then, enough. Come, friends.

This exchange is significant because Macbeth pretends to be troubled by Duncan's murder while simultaneously inviting Banquo to a feast. More importantly, Macbeth deliberately omits mentioning the witches' prophecy about his becoming king. He knows that Banquo heard the same prophecies and might be suspicious if Macbeth suddenly becomes king without explanation.

Later, in Act 3, Scene 1, Macbeth reveals his true thoughts about Banquo and the prophecy:

MACBETH: Our fears in Banquo Stick deep, And in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be feared. 'Tis much he dares, And to that dauntless temper of his mind He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor To act in safety. There is none but he Whose being I do fear; and, under him, My genius is rebuked, as it is said Mark Antony's was by Caesar. He chid the sisters When first they put the name of king upon me, And bade them speak to him. Then, prophetlike, They hailed him father to a line of kings. Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown And put a barren scepter in my grip, Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, No son of mine succeeding. If't be so, For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind; For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered; Put rancors in the vessel of my peace Only for them; and mine eternal jewel Given to the common enemy of man, To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! Rather than so, come fate into the list, And champion me to th' utterance!

This soliloquy reveals that Macbeth has been lying to Banquo about the witches' predictions. He knows that Banquo's descendants are prophesied to be kings, which threatens Macbeth's own rule. Macbeth's lie to Banquo is thus not merely an omission but an active deception designed to conceal his true ambitions and fears.

Want to learn more? We recommend words beginning with a y and why metal is a good conductor of electricity for further reading.

Why Macbeth Lied

Macbeth's lie to Banquo serves several purposes in the play:

Secrecy: Macbeth wants to keep his knowledge of the prophecies secret from everyone except his wife. By not mentioning the prophecy about becoming king to Banquo, Macbeth maintains control over the information.
Self-Preservation: Macbeth fears Banquo because of the prophecy that Banquo's descendants will be kings. By pretending that the witches only mentioned Macbeth's future greatness without specifying the details, Macbeth avoids revealing his vulnerability.
Testing Loyalty: Macbeth's lie is also a test of Banquo's loyalty. By observing Banquo's reaction to Macbeth's feigned ignorance of the full prophecy, Macbeth can assess whether Banquo might challenge his claim to the throne.
Moral Deterioration: The lie marks a significant point in Macbeth's moral decline. From the valiant warrior at the beginning of the play, Macbeth has become a man willing to deceive his closest friend to maintain power.

Consequences of the Lie

Macbeth's lie to Banquo has far-reaching consequences:

Erosion of Trust: The lie permanently damages Macbeth's relationship with Banquo. Even before Macbeth orders Banquo's murder, their friendship has been compromised by deception.
Banquo's Murder: When Macbeth becomes king, his fear of Banquo's descendants leads him to hire murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. The lie about the prophecy is thus directly connected to this violent act.
Paranoia and Tyranny: Macbeth's deception about the prophecy contributes to his growing paranoia and descent into tyranny. He becomes increasingly isolated as he continues to

lie and manipulate those around him to secure his position.

Moral Isolation: As Macbeth's web of lies grows, he becomes increasingly isolated from his own moral compass. The lie to Banquo is part of a pattern that leads to further deception and violence.
Prophecy's Fulfillment: Ironically, Macbeth's attempt to prevent the prophecy about Banquo's descendants from coming true only hastens its fulfillment. His actions against Banquo and Fleance set in motion events that ultimately lead to his downfall.

The Lie as a Turning Point

Macbeth's lie to Banquo represents a crucial turning point in the play. It marks the moment when Macbeth fully embraces deception as a means of maintaining power. This lie is not just about withholding information; it is an active choice to manipulate and mislead someone who was once his closest ally.

The lie also highlights the theme of appearance versus reality that runs throughout the play. Macbeth presents himself as a loyal subject and friend while secretly plotting to secure his position as king. This duplicity becomes a defining characteristic of his rule.

Conclusion

Macbeth's lie to Banquo about the witches' prophecy is a complex and significant moment in Shakespeare's play. It reveals Macbeth's growing paranoia, his willingness to deceive even his closest friends, and his determination to control his own destiny at any cost. The lie sets in motion a chain of events that leads to further violence, betrayal, and ultimately, Macbeth's downfall.

This deception is not merely a plot device but a window into Macbeth's character and the moral universe of the play. Practically speaking, it shows how the pursuit of power can corrupt even those who were once honorable and loyal. Macbeth's lie to Banquo is thus not just a moment of personal betrayal but a symbol of the larger themes of ambition, fate, and the corrupting influence of power that Shakespeare explores throughout the play.