Concerning Shakepeare's Macbeth, I
assume you're referring to the vision Macbeth sees that presents Banquo's heirs as
kings. The vision presents the line of Stuart kings which culminates in James I, who was
reigning at the time the play was first produced.
Macbeth,
of course, tries to change fate in Act 3 when he plans and orders the killing of Banquo
and Fleance. He succeeds in eliminating Banquo, but fails to eliminate Fleance. This
makes the ruling by Banquo's heirs possible.
The last
figure shown in the vision is Banquo, holding a magic mirror that shows Macbeth many
more kings. Macbeth yells, "I'll see no more." But the kings just keep coming. And
the blood-matted Banquo smiles at Macbeth while pointing to the
kings.
Macbeth asks the witches if this is
so.
These are the only specific reactions to the vision
revealed. But, in reaction to all of the visions shown him, and in reaction to the news
that Macduff has fled to England, Macbeth determines to act immediately on his first
thoughts:
The
very firstlings of my heart shall beThe firstlings of my
hand.
He will not think or
hesitate before acting from now on. And he keeps his word, immediately ordering the
slaughter of Macduff's family.
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