Fear of Banquo

Macbeth wants to hire a murder to kill Banquo for him. Macbeth feels like being king is nothing if he cannot feel safe being king. "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." Macbeth is saying that there is something noble about Banquo that makes him fear him. Banquo is a risk-taker and he acts brave. Macbeth says his guardian angel is frightened the same way Mark Antony's angel was feared of Octavius Caesar. Antony and Octavius became rivals because Octavius was to take over the empire but Antony did not think he was suitable for the job. That is similar to the relationship of Banquo and Macbeth. The murderers agree to kill Banquo but they will also have to kill Fleance. When they attack Banquo, Fleance gets away. The ghost of Banquo haunts Macbeth at their dinner gathering. The ghost brings out Macbeth's guilt. I thought this scene was funny how Macbeth gets all freaked out by the ghost of Banquo. Lady Macbeth tries to cover up Macbeth's behaviors saying it was only a strange habit that he has developed. Macbeth believes that the dead will get revenge and the ghost of Banquo is Banquo's way of getting revenge on him.