The Fates of Fleance in Shakespeare's Macbeth

Shakespeare's Macbeth is a rich tapestry of characters, each contributing to the dramatic narrative of the Scottish king's downfall. One such character is Fleance, Banquo's son, whose fate is left deliberately ambiguous by Shakespeare. His story, despite not being explicitly resolved within the play, has sparked considerable interest and speculation among scholars and audiences alike.

The Significance of Fleance's Fate

Fleance, the son of the noble Banquo, holds a significant role in the play, particularly in the context of the ancient prophecy. The witches' prediction that Banquo's descendants would inherit the throne implies a complex and potentially dangerous path for Fleance. However, the play ends before we see the fulfillment of this prophecy; Banquo is murdered by Macbeth's assassins, but Fleance, managing to escape, is not seen again in the play.

Is Fleance Killed in the Play?

Early in the play, Macbeth sends three assassins to murder both Fleance and his father Banquo. The assassins succeed in killing Banquo but fail in their attempt to kill the young Fleance, who manages to escape. This is a crucial moment in the play, marking the first opportunity for Fleance to gain his rightful place as the heir to Banquo's legacy and the potential prophecy. His escape is narrated, but he is never seen again, leaving his fate as ambiguous as that of his father.

Fleance: Traditions and Historical Interpretations

The ambiguous fate of Fleance has led to numerous interpretations and speculations over the years. Some scholars and historians believe that Shakespeare included Fleance for a specific purpose, referring to the historical roots of the Stuart dynasty. According to this tradition, Fleance, after escaping, travels to Wales and becomes the father of the man who later becomes the Steward to the King of Scotland, eventually leading to the Stuart inheritance of the throne.

This historical fiction theory is supported by the work of Henry N. Paul, who argued that Shakespeare was ingratiation to King James I, a descendant of Banquo and Fleance. King James I, the English King and the sixth of Scotland, was highly interested in and protected the Arthurian legends, and such ties would have served to legitimize his monarchy.

The Importance of Fleance's Unstated Fate

The unspecified fate of Fleance is crucial both to the performance of the play and the historical context of its time. The audiences of the Elizabethan era were likely aware of these historical and mythological threads. The play was staged during a time when the monarchy was seeking stability and legitimacy, and a narrative that emphasized the continuity of the Stuart lineage would have been highly relevant.

By leaving Fleance's fate unexplored, Shakespeare allows the audience and scholars to project their own interpretations and speculations. This uncertainty enriches the play, making it a dynamic and multifaceted piece of literature that continues to resonate with audiences more than 400 years after its original performance.

Thus, Fleance's role in Macbeth is more than a mere plot device; it is a cleverly woven thread that ties together historical, mythological, and political threads, making Macbeth a play that is richly layered and full of meaning, even to this day.