The three witches described Banquo as 'lesser than Macbeth, and greater'. They meant that Banquo was lesser, because he held the same job title whereas Macbeth became Thane of Cawdor in additiion to Thane of Glamis. Banquo didn't get to advance past being Captain. But Macbeth received another noble title, and would become king. Nevertheless, Banquo was greater, because he didn't have Macbeth's fatal flaw of raging ambition and manipulability. Banquo also was greater, because he was going to be the ancestor of a long line of kings. But Macbeth would hold and lose his title, and would have no descendants to succeed him.
In Macbeth, the witches predict that Banquo's descendants will be kings, even though Banquo himself will not be. This prophecy ultimately leads to Macbeth's downfall as he becomes obsessed with eliminating any threats to his own position as king.
When Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches after battle, they tell Banquo; - Lesser than Macbeth and greater - Not so happy, yet much happier - Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. ( you will not be king but your descendants will be)
The witches say to Banquo, "Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. Not so happy, yet much happier. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none." These prophecies suggest that Banquo's descendants will inherit the throne instead of him.
The predictions meant that Macbeth wouldn't be succeeded, as King of Scotland, by any descendants that he might have. In Act 1 Scene 3 of the Shakespearean play, friends and fellow Generals Macbeth [c. 1014-August 15, 1057] and Banquo were given three sets of predictions by the three witches. For Banquo, it was predicted that he'd be lesser and greater than Macbeth. That meant that he'd achieve greatness through a lower job title than Macbeth. It also was predicted that Banquo would be less happy and happier than Macbeth. That meant that he'd be more content with a less charmed, less fortunate, less prominent life than Macbeth. And it was predicted that Banquo wouldn't be king. Instead, he'd be the ancestor to a long line of Kings of Scotland.
Banquo had three prophecies: 1. "You are lesser than Macbeth but also greater." 2. "You are not as happy as Macbeth, yet much happier." 3. "Your descendants will be kings but you will not." Hopefully that helps!
Macbeth: all hail Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis all hail Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor all hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter Banquo: hail hail hail lesser than Macbeth, and greater not so happy, yet much happier thou shall get kings, though thou be none
The phrase "Not so happy yet much happier" from Shakespeare's Macbeth can be interpreted as Macbeth acknowledging that although he has achieved his initial goal of becoming king, he is not truly happy because of the guilt and paranoia that come with his actions. However, he also feels a sense of power and accomplishment, which makes him "much happier" in a superficial sense. This phrase reflects the complex emotions and inner conflict that Macbeth experiences throughout the play as he grapples with his ambition and the consequences of his actions.
He does not resent Banquo, he is jealous of him. From the beginning Banquo has more kinglike qualities. And the witches told Banquo that his son will rule, an heir during this time period is very important, and to some rulers more important than ruling.
Greater than > Lesser than <
Banquo: What are these, so withered and wild in their attire that they look not like the inhabitants o' the earth and yet are on't? . . . You seem to understand me, by each at onceher choppy finger laying upon her skinny lips; you should be women, yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so.
Macbeth takes them more seriously than Banquo. There is nothing Banquo could do anyway to make his children become kings without him becoming a king himself. But Banquo, despite his lighthearted reaction to the witches, does not forget them. In Act II Scene 1 he says to Macbeth, "I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters. To you they have shown some truth." So perhaps there is not such a difference between their reactions after all.The difference between the witches' predictions for Macbeth and those for Banquo are that the ones for Macbeth are being fulfilled even as they speak, whereas Banquo's will not happen in his lifetime. There is no incentive for Banquo to try to hurry them on; there is such an incentive for Macbeth. It is this and not their reactions which send Macbeth and Banquo down separate paths in the play.