20-minute plan
- Read the quick answer and key takeaways, then highlight 2 prophecies linked to Banquo’s line.
- Draft 1 discussion question and 1 thesis template from the essay kit below.
- Quiz yourself using the 3 self-test questions in the exam kit.
Keyword Guide · study-guide-general
Does Fleance Become King in Macbeth? Study Guide for Students
Shakespeare’s Macbeth leaves many plot threads open, including Fleance’s final fate. This guide answers the core question directly and gives you structured tools for assignments. Every section includes a concrete action to move your study forward.
Fleance does not become king in the text of Macbeth. The play ends with Macbeth’s death and a new ruler taking power. Fleance’s future is implied through earlier prophecies, but no explicit confirmation of his kingship appears in the play’s final scenes.
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Answer Block
Fleance is the son of Banquo, a Scottish nobleman targeted by Macbeth due to witches’ prophecies. The prophecies state Banquo’s descendants will become kings, but they do not name Fleance specifically as a future ruler. Shakespeare leaves Fleance’s final fate unresolved in the play’s text.
Next step: Jot down 2 prophecies related to Banquo’s line that appear early in the play, then note how they connect to the play’s ending.
Key Takeaways
- Fleance survives Macbeth’s assassination attempt but does not take the throne in Macbeth’s final scenes.
- The witches’ prophecies reference Banquo’s descendants, not Fleance directly, as future rulers.
- Fleance’s unresolved fate ties to the play’s themes of fate and. human choice.
- Teachers often use this question to test understanding of dramatic irony and thematic continuity.
20-Minute Plan and 60-Minute Plan
60-minute plan
- Review the answer block and study plan to map Fleance’s role to the play’s themes of fate.
- Complete all 3 steps in the how-to block to build a prophecies and. outcomes chart.
- Draft a full essay outline using one of the skeleton templates in the essay kit.
- Practice explaining your position using the sentence starters and common mistakes to avoid.
3-Step Study Plan
Action: List all prophecies that mention Banquo or his descendants in Macbeth.
Output: A numbered list of 3-4 relevant prophecies
Action: Track Fleance’s on-stage appearances and off-stage mentions throughout the play.
Output: A timeline of Fleance’s key moments and their context
Action: Connect Fleance’s fate to one core theme (fate, legacy, or power).
Output: A 3-sentence analysis paragraph linking Fleance to your chosen theme
Discussion Kit
- What evidence suggests Fleance might become king after the play ends?
- Why do you think Shakespeare left Fleance’s fate unresolved alongside confirming his kingship?
- How does Fleance’s survival tie to the play’s exploration of fate and. free will?
- If Fleance did become king, how would that change the play’s final message about power?
- What dramatic purpose does Fleance’s escape serve in the middle of the play?
- How do the witches’ prophecies about Banquo’s line differ from those about Macbeth?
- Why might a director choose to show Fleance taking power in a stage production, even if the text doesn’t state it?
- How does Fleance’s role compare to that of other characters whose fates are left open?
Essay Kit
Thesis Templates
- Although Fleance does not become king in Macbeth’s final scenes, Shakespeare’s use of prophecies and thematic parallelism implies his line will eventually take power, reinforcing the play’s message about legacy over immediate power.
- Shakespeare’s choice to leave Fleance’s fate unresolved in Macbeth reflects the play’s core tension between predetermined fate and human agency, as readers must decide whether the witches’ prophecies guarantee a specific outcome or merely hint at possibilities.
Outline Skeletons
- 1. Introduction: State your position on Fleance’s fate, link to core theme. 2. Body 1: Analyze prophecies related to Banquo’s line. 3. Body 2: Track Fleance’s role and survival in the play. 4. Body 3: Connect unresolved fate to thematic messages. 5. Conclusion: Restate thesis and tie to play’s final scenes.
- 1. Introduction: Pose the question of Fleance’s kingship as a test of thematic understanding. 2. Body 1: Contrast Macbeth’s concrete fate with Fleance’s open one. 3. Body 2: Discuss dramatic irony in the witches’ prophecies. 4. Body 3: Evaluate how adaptations interpret Fleance’s fate. 5. Conclusion: Restate your analysis and its relevance to the play’s themes.
Sentence Starters
- While the play does not explicitly state that Fleance becomes king, the witches’ prophecies suggest that...
- Shakespeare’s decision to leave Fleance’s fate unresolved allows readers to explore the theme of...
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Exam Kit
Checklist
- I can explain the difference between the prophecies for Macbeth and Banquo’s line.
- I can list 2 key moments where Fleance’s fate is referenced or affected.
- I can link Fleance’s unresolved fate to the play’s theme of fate and. free will.
- I can identify 1 common mistake students make when answering this question.
- I can draft a clear thesis statement about Fleance’s potential kingship.
- I can name 2 rulers who take power in Macbeth’s final scenes.
- I can explain why dramatic irony is tied to Fleance’s survival.
- I can list 1 piece of evidence that supports Fleance becoming king later.
- I can list 1 piece of evidence that contradicts Fleance becoming king immediately.
- I can use a sentence starter to frame my analysis in an essay or discussion.
Common Mistakes
- Claiming Fleance becomes king in the play’s final scenes (the text does not state this).
- Confusing the prophecies about Banquo’s line with explicit promises to Fleance.
- Ignoring the play’s thematic context when discussing Fleance’s fate.
- Citing non-textual sources (like adaptations) as evidence for the play’s canonical text.
- Failing to distinguish between immediate outcomes and long-term prophecies.
Self-Test
- What happens to Fleance during Macbeth’s assassination attempt on Banquo?
- What do the witches prophesy about Banquo’s descendants?
- Name one theme tied to Fleance’s unresolved fate in Macbeth.
How-To Block
Action: Create a 2-column chart labeled 'Prophecies' and 'Play Outcomes'.
Output: A chart comparing each prophecy about Banquo’s line to what actually happens in the play
Action: Add a third column labeled 'Thematic Link' to connect each row to a core play theme.
Output: An annotated chart linking prophecy and outcome to fate, legacy, or power
Action: Write a 1-sentence conclusion summarizing how the chart answers the question of Fleance’s kingship.
Output: A clear, evidence-based statement of your analysis
Rubric Block
Content Accuracy
Teacher looks for: Correct understanding of the play’s text, no invented details or misinterpretations of prophecies.
How to meet it: Cross-reference all claims with the play’s canonical events and avoid citing adaptations as textual evidence.
Thematic Analysis
Teacher looks for: Connection of Fleance’s fate to at least one core theme of Macbeth.
How to meet it: Explicitly link prophecies, Fleance’s actions, and the play’s ending to themes like fate, legacy, or power.
Evidence Use
Teacher looks for: Specific, relevant examples from the play to support claims about Fleance’s potential kingship.
How to meet it: Cite key scenes where Fleance’s fate is referenced or prophecies about Banquo’s line are delivered.
Fleance’s Role in Macbeth
Fleance is Banquo’s only son, a secondary character whose survival drives key thematic questions. He escapes an assassination plot ordered by Macbeth, ensuring Banquo’s line has a chance to continue. Use this before class to prepare for small-group discussions about unresolved plot threads.
Prophecies and. Textual Outcomes
The witches’ prophecies focus on Banquo’s descendants, not Fleance individually. No explicit line in the play confirms Fleance becomes king. Take 5 minutes to mark the scenes where these prophecies are delivered and how they align with the play’s ending.
Thematic Ties to Fate and Legacy
Fleance’s unresolved fate ties to the play’s tension between fate and human choice. Macbeth’s attempts to control the future fail, but the prophecies about Banquo’s line remain unaddressed in the play’s final moments. Draft a 2-sentence analysis linking this tension to Fleance’s story.
Class Discussion Tips
Teachers often ask this question to test your ability to distinguish between textual fact and thematic implication. Start with a clear statement of what the play says, then explain what it implies about fate and legacy. Prepare one counterargument to share in discussion (e.g., why Fleance might not become king).
Essay Writing Strategies
Focus on the gap between prophecy and textual outcome to build a strong essay. Use the thesis templates to frame your argument, then support it with specific examples from the play. Use this before essay draft to outline your body paragraphs and avoid common mistakes listed in the exam kit.
Exam Prep Checklist
Verify you can answer all questions in the exam kit’s checklist and self-test. Practice explaining your position aloud using the sentence starters to build confidence. Review the common mistakes one last time to avoid errors on quiz or exam day.
Does Fleance ever return to Macbeth’s court after his escape?
The play does not show Fleance returning to Macbeth’s court after his escape. His fate is left unresolved in the canonical text.
Why is Fleance’s survival important to Macbeth’s plot?
Fleance’s survival means Banquo’s line could still fulfill the witches’ prophecies, which undermines Macbeth’s attempt to secure his power permanently.
Do any Shakespeare adaptations show Fleance becoming king?
Some stage and film adaptations choose to show Fleance taking power, but these are creative choices, not part of Shakespeare’s original text.
How does Fleance’s fate compare to Macbeth’s?
Macbeth’s fate is explicitly resolved in the play’s final scenes, while Fleance’s fate remains open. This contrast highlights the play’s themes of fate and the limits of human control.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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