The person01–03
01·Who they are
Who is Fleance?
Fleance is introduced as the son of Banquo, depicted as a boy carrying a torch through the dark courtyard of Inverness castle in Act II. He doesn’t express any political ambitions of his own; instead, his significance relies entirely on the prophecy that Banquo's descendants will inherit the throne. Macbeth underscores this when he tells the murderers that Fleance "keeps him company," indicating that his presence is just as crucial to Macbeth as his father's.
02·Arc & motivation
What is Fleance's arc and motivation?
Fleance doesn’t have a personal arc; he is acted upon rather than taking initiative. His motivation, as far as we can infer, is simply survival: he follows his father's urgent command to "Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!" and makes his escape. His significance arises solely from how others, especially Macbeth, perceive and project their fears and desires onto him.
03·Key moments
What are Fleance's key moments?
- Act II, Scene I: Fleance enters with Banquo, carrying a torch, which establishes their father-son relationship and the late-night setting that ultimately puts them at risk.
- Act III (the ambush): The murderers attack; while Banquo is killed, he manages to shout a warning. Fleance's escape is the most significant action he takes in the play.
- Act III (the banquet scene): A murderer informs Macbeth: "Fleance is 'scap'd." Macbeth’s response — "Then comes my fit again" — shows that Fleance’s survival disrupts his plans, leaving him feeling "cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd."
- Act III (Lennox's scene): Lennox sarcastically mentions that some claim "Fleance kill'd" Banquo because "Fleance fled," illustrating how Macbeth’s court manipulates evidence to fit the tyrant's narrative.
The cast04–05
04·Relationships
What are Fleance's most important relationships?
With Banquo: The two are always together in the play, entering and exiting side by side. Banquo’s last act is to warn Fleance, and his dying words — "Thou mayst revenge" — provide Fleance with a future purpose, even if the play does not depict him fulfilling it.
With Macbeth: Macbeth never speaks directly to Fleance; their relationship is characterized by threat and calculation. He tells Lady Macbeth, "Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives," as if their very existence is a burden to him. When Fleance escapes, Macbeth’s language of confinement and fear ("cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd") reveals how much he had relied on eliminating the boy.
05·Connected characters
How is Fleance connected to the other characters?
Study06–07
06·Questions
Questions readers ask about Fleance
Why does Macbeth want Fleance killed as well as Banquo?
With Fleance's escape, Macbeth finds himself trapped in a whirlwind of doubts and fears.
How does Fleance escape?
When the murderers attack, they kill Banquo, who still manages to shout a warning: "Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!" The stage direction indicates that Fleance escapes, but it doesn't explain how he manages to get away.
What is Macbeth's reaction when he learns Fleance has escaped?
Macbeth says, "Then comes my fit again," portraying himself as trapped and restricted, weighed down by doubts and fears. This shows that Fleance's survival disrupts the sense of wholeness he expected from the killings.
Does Fleance speak much in the play?
Banquo addresses him, but he doesn't respond.
How is Fleance's name used after his escape?
Lennox sarcastically points out that people claim "Fleance kill'd" Banquo just because "Fleance fled," showing how Macbeth's court twists the truth to divert blame from the real murderer.
07·Essay angles
Use this in your essay
Tool · Essay angles
The limits of tyrannical control
Prophecy and dramatic irony
Innocence and guilt
Language and political distortion