What is Macbeths motive for having banquo killed?

Answer 1

Macbeth wants Banquo dead because Banquo witnessed what the three witches said. The three witches stated that Macbeth would one day become king. Now that Macbeth has become king, and done so by taking the life of the previous King Duncan, he fears that Banquo will spread the word that Macbeth was the one to commit the murder.

Answer 2

Banquo knows about the prophecy of the witches, which portents that Macbeth will be the king of Scotland. Because of this knowledge, Banquo likely suspects Macbeth is guilty of the murder in order that he might ascend the throne.

Answer 3

Because Banquo suspects Macbeth of killing King Duncan. Macbeth knows Banquo suspects him and Macbeth wants to eliminate all the people that can reveal his secret so Macbeth wants Banquo murdered

Hope this makes sense ^^

Answer 4

In the Shakespearean play, Macbeth [c. 1014-August 15, 1057] killed Banquo. Macbeth already had killed King Duncan I [d. August 14, 1040], whom he succeeded as sovereign of Scotland. So he had achieved his promised dream of becoming King. But Macbeth was concerned about the consolidation of his rule. The witches had predicted that Banquo wouldn't be King, but the ancestor of kings. Macbeth wanted to eliminate the competition. He was equally concerned over Banquo's remarks in Act 2 Scene 1 Lines 1-10. In that conversation, Banquo included the challenge, '...I fear,/Thou play'dst most foully for't...' [Lines 2-3].

Answer 5

Jealousy. The witches said that Banquo's heirs would be kings, but Macbeth's would not. Macbeth was jealous of Banquo for having heirs (Macbeth does not appear to have any) and so tries to thwart the prophecy.

Answer 6

Perhaps Macbeth fears that Banquo will betray him, as he does say that "my fears in Banquo stick deep". But Banquo does not have any proof that Macbeth committed the murder, although he suspects it, as we know when he says, "and I fear thou play'dst most foully for it." The witches predictions are not proof; they may well have come true by chance: "Why, chance may crown me without my stir."

What Macbeth fears is that Banquo will murder him, in order to set up his children as kings as the witches predicted. He fears that Banquo will use murder to bring about the prediction, as Macbeth himself did. His feelings are expressed in his soliloquy in Act III Scene I starting "To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus." He says of Banquo, "in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be fear'd; 'tis much he dares, and to that dauntless temper of his mind, he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety." Somehow this does not describe someone who is planning a malicious smear campaign.

Answer 7

Macbeth is suspicious that Banquo knows that he indeed killed Duncan

Answer 8

Banquo suspects Macbeth's acquisition of the throne.

Answer 9

He sees him as a threat

Answer 10

he feels that banquet is in his way...