Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare, and it is one of his most famous works. The play tells the story of a Scottish general, Macbeth, who receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become king. Driven by his ambition and the urging of his wife, Lady Macbeth, Macbeth kills King Duncan and takes the throne. However, he becomes increasingly paranoid and fearful of losing his power. This leads him to want Banquo and Fleance dead.
Banquo is a character in the play who is a fellow general and a friend of Macbeth. Banquo is also present when the witches make their prophecy to Macbeth. The witches tell Macbeth that he will become king, but they also tell Banquo that he will not become king himself, but his children will. Macbeth fears that Banquo's children will eventually overthrow him, and so he decides that Banquo must be killed.
Fleance is Banquo's son, and Macbeth fears that Fleance will also pose a threat to his reign. Macbeth knows that Banquo is aware of his murderous actions, and he fears that Banquo may reveal the truth to others. Furthermore, Macbeth is aware that Banquo's loyalty is to the rightful king, and he fears that Banquo may try to help Duncan's son, Malcolm, to overthrow him. Therefore, Macbeth sees Banquo and Fleance as threats to his power and decides that they must be eliminated.
Macbeth's decision to have Banquo and Fleance killed also shows his increasing paranoia and madness. He becomes consumed by his desire for power and is willing to do anything to maintain it, even if it means killing his own friends. Macbeth's actions also show his lack of trust in others. He believes that everyone is a potential threat to his power, and he is willing to take extreme measures to eliminate any perceived threats.
Another reason why Macbeth wants Banquo and Fleance dead is that he has become dependent on the witches' prophecies. The witches have predicted that Banquo's children will become kings, and Macbeth is determined to prevent this from happening. He believes that if he can eliminate Banquo and Fleance, he can prevent the prophecy from coming true. This shows Macbeth's desperation to control his fate, and his belief that he can manipulate reality to suit his desires.
In conclusion, Macbeth's desire to have Banquo and Fleance killed is driven by his ambition, paranoia, and desperation. He sees them as threats to his power and believes that eliminating them will help him maintain his position as king. However, his actions also reveal his increasing madness and lack of trust in others. Macbeth's decision to have Banquo and Fleance killed ultimately leads to his downfall, as it further alienates him from his former friends and allies.