Macbeth's Tragic Flaw
...the present king. Macbeth is never suspected of the murder because he blames it on the drunken guards. Thus begins the fearful reign of Macbeth. In the quote, “Only for them; and mine eternal jewel given to the common enemy of man, to make them kings, the seeds of Banquo’s Kings!” [3.1.72-75] Macbeth real- izes that something must be done to Banquo so that his sons cannot become kings. Hired by Macbeth three murderers set out to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. Banquo, once Macbeth’s best friend, turns up dead while Fleance escapes the onslaught. Following his murder Banquo’s ghost appears to Macbeth and causes him to act a fool and fear for his life. Upon hearing of Banquo’s death, Macduff, Thane of Fife, flees to England to be with Duncan’s son Malcolm. Macduff refuses to accept Macbeth as king. Macbeth pays another visit to the witches to see what is in store for him now. The witches send Macbeth three apparitions. The first vision takes the form of an armed head and warns Macbeth to “Beware of Macduff”. Macbeth, not wanting to take any chances, believes he must kill Macduff to keep his reign in order. He soon learns that Macduff has fled to England so he murders Macduff’s family out of fear. The send and third apparitions give Macbeth confidence by saying no man born of woman can kill him and he won’t be defeated until the trees of Birnam Woods move toward his castle. Macbeth puts all of his faith in the witches prophecies because they are the on...