Scene summary
Banquo suspects that the new king played dirty to reach the throne, but he holds on to the hope that the prophecy about his descendants will also come true. Macbeth invites him to the banquet that night and learns that he rides with his son Fleance. Alone, Macbeth admits that the prophecy gnaws at him and persuades two murderers, bitter about their lives, to kill father and son this very night.
Analysis
Macbeth orders Banquo killed because the prophecy that made him king also says that Banquo's descendants will reign, and this gnaws at him. He murdered Duncan, he feels, to give the crown to other men's sons. Banquo, who suspects the new king played dirty, still hopes his prophecy will come true. Macbeth invites him to the banquet and persuades two resentful murderers to kill father and son.
Macbeth: If 't be so, / For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind; / For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered, / Put rancors in the vessel of my peace / Only for them [...]
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