Literature
The Aftermath of Macbeth: Unraveling the Fate of Fleance
The Aftermath of Macbeth: Unraveling the Fate of Fleance
What happened to Fleance after the banquet scene in Macbeth? This question has intrigued Shakespeare scholars and historians for centuries. Was Fleance killed or did he escape? How does his fate tie into the real historical context?
Is Fleance Killed in Macbeth?
Fleance, the son of Banquo, is not seen in the play after he is mentioned in the banquet scene where Macbeth orders three assassins to kill both Banquo and Fleance. The play does not explicitly state if Fleance is killed. However, various sources and interpretations suggest that Fleance likely escaped.
Macbeth Sends Three Assassins to Murder Fleance and Banquo
Macbeth, driven by jealousy and fear, sends three assassins to kill both Banquo and Fleance. While the assassins succeed in slaying Banquo, Fleance manages to escape. His absence from the play and the historical accounts of his fate have sparked numerous speculations among scholars and enthusiasts.
Historical Context and Royal Legitimacy
Shakespeare's choice to include Fleance in the narrative may have been influenced by historical and political motivations. King James I of England and VI of Scotland, who Shakespeare served, was considered a descendant of Banquo and Fleance. This claim was important for several reasons:
Monarchical Ingratiation: This narrative provided a subtle form of flattery to the reigning monarch, potentially securing patronage for Shakespeare's works. Historical Fiction: The story of Fleance offers Shakespeare a means to weave a historical narrative that aligns with the monarch's lineage, which was considered essential for royal legitimacy.Henry N. Paul and other scholars argue that the story of Fleance escaping to Wales and becoming hereditary High Stewards of Scotland is a piece of historical fiction. This explanation can be found in Holinshed's Chronicles and Hector Boece's Historia Gentis Scotorum, which provided the backdrop for Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Status of Fleance and the Stuart Dynasty
While Macbeth does not describe Fleance's subsequent life, historical sources suggest a different path. According to some accounts, Fleance may have indeed escaped to Wales and fathered the man who later became the hereditary High Stewards of Scotland. Ultimately, a descendant of Fleance claimed the Scottish throne, solidifying the Stuart lineage.
From a historical perspective, it is important to note that Fleance was a character created for theatrical and political purposes rather than a real historical figure. Despite this, his fictional existence had significant implications for royal legitimacy and helped to establish the Stuart dynasty, which eventually ruled over Scotland from the 14th century onwards.
The narrative surrounding Fleance played a crucial role in shaping the Macbeth play's audience reception and the historical context of the time. It offered a blend of myth and reality, which was well-suited to the political and cultural landscape of the early modern period.