The prophecy given to Banquo by the witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth is that he will father a line of kings, though he himself will never be king. This prophecy ultimately leads to Banquo's murder by Macbeth in an attempt to prevent his descendants from taking the throne.
He shall get kings though he be none.
He won't be king but his descendants will.
Banquo's last name was not given.
Macbeth's desire to eliminate Banquo is based on his fear of Banquo's descendants eventually taking the throne. The prophecy that Banquo's descendants will inherit the kingship fuels Macbeth's paranoia and drives him to eliminate any potential threats to his own rule. Additionally, Banquo's close relationship with Macbeth and knowledge of the witches' prophecy make him a target for Macbeth's schemes.
Banquo is hopeful that his prophecy will come true because the witches predicted that his descendants will inherit the throne. He believes in the supernatural power of the witches' prophecies and is optimistic about his future and the prosperity of his lineage.
The prophecy that Banquo's descendants will inherit the throne was the only prophecy not fulfilled by the end of Act 1 in Macbeth. While Macbeth is named Thane of Cawdor as foretold, Banquo's descendants are not shown to become kings.
No logical reason, but then fear is not a logical thing. Although Macbeth says, "My fears in Banquo stick deep," he is not totally clear about why he is afraid of him. Most likely, he is afraid that Banquo knows too much about him, knows what the witches said to him and how troubled he was by it, and as a result may suspect Macbeth of murdering Duncan. He is also annoyed by the prophecy of the "fruitless crown" and the prophecy that Banquo will be the father to kings. To prevent this, Macbeth would have to kill not only Fleance but also Banquo, to prevent Banquo from fathering more children. This prophecy does not threaten Macbeth, yet he feels threatened by it. All of this makes the ball of anxiety which he feels because of the murder focus irrationally on Banquo.
No logical reason, but then fear is not a logical thing. Although Macbeth says, "My fears in Banquo stick deep," he is not totally clear about why he is afraid of him. Most likely, he is afraid that Banquo knows too much about him, knows what the witches said to him and how troubled he was by it, and as a result may suspect Macbeth of murdering Duncan. He is also annoyed by the prophecy of the "fruitless crown" and the prophecy that Banquo will be the father to kings. To prevent this, Macbeth would have to kill not only Fleance but also Banquo, to prevent Banquo from fathering more children. This prophecy does not threaten Macbeth, yet he feels threatened by it. All of this makes the ball of anxiety which he feels because of the murder focus irrationally on Banquo.
The pronoun "it" in the conversation between Macbeth and Banquo likely refers to the witches' prophecy about Macbeth becoming king.
When Macbeth mentions Banquo's absence, he reflects on the fact that Banquo is not present for a royal banquet. This moment triggers Macbeth's guilt and anxiety about Banquo's prophecy that his descendants will inherit the throne, leading to his decision to have Banquo and his son murdered.
The witches address Macbeth first, and so Banquo says "But what about meeee? Tell meeee a prophecy." And so they do, but it is a prophecy which will not take place in Banquo's lifetime. He will not be around to see any of his descendants crowned. So he doesn't care much about it. Macbeth's prediction, on the other hand, will have to come true in his lifetime or not at all. Macbeth is naturally more caught up in the possibility the prophecy raises.
Banquo is a character in William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" who is a loyal and honorable general. He is a friend of Macbeth and his descendants are said to be the future kings of Scotland according to the witches' prophecy. Banquo is murdered by Macbeth in his quest for power.