In Macbeth many conflicts are resolved, however there is one line of plot that is sort of discontinued. We never hear about what happened to Fleance Clearly he fled the scene after his fathers murder, yet we know he does not die in the wilderness because he eventually becomes king. However, if Malcolm is the current king, as of the end of Macbeth, and Fleance has no relation to Malcolm through blood, then how does Fleance, as the prophecy predicted, become king?
If we look at the text closely we see really the only way Macbeth could have fulfilled the prophecy was through treachery as he too had no ties directly to the king. Now Fleance is in this similar situation. He too has a prophecy to fulfill that will get him power and money, yet the only real way to get it would be through treachery. However, this will only be the case if Banquo told Fleance about the prophecy, otherwise Fleance might not take the actions to fulfill it, or it will happen in a different way, like war or disease that will bring it to the throne. Macbeth see's eight kings that are descendants of Banquo so we know that his journey to the throne will be more successful.
However, as Shakespeare leaves this part of the story, I think it is implied that Fleance might one day become the king to fulfill the second half of the prophecy.
I was also thinking a lot about how Fleance was almost discontinued after his father's murder. The prophesy says that Banquo's family will be full of kings to come, but Shakespeare purposely leaves out Fleance for the remainder of the play. Let's do some more investigating to see if there is ever any more hints about Fleance!
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