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Banquo Integrity Essay

414 Words2 Pages

Shakespeare uses Banquo’s integrity in Act 3 Scene 1 to emphasize Macbeth’s moral decline. In the scene, Banquo’s soliloquy illustrates his suspicion that Macbeth has “play’dst most foully for it” and actually, achieved his titles through disloyalty and deceit. This suspicion not only demonstrates Banquo’s loyalty and skepticism about Macbeth’s methods, but also suggests that Banquo recognizes how dangerous the ambition that drives Macbeth has made him, implying that he sees through Macbeth’s facade and tyranny. These signs of distrust are crucial for the audience to see as it shows an ethical division between the two and the impact of their actions on their fate. Despite his suspicion, Banquo does not immediately confront Macbeth, which might infer that he does not wish to harm a friend without concrete evidence, so hints that he still holds some loyalty and respect towards Macbeth referring to their past, but on the other hand it might have been due to fear as he might hold a high awareness of the danger that Macbeth holds now, as he has raised to Kingship and is still in hold of violent manners. …show more content…

Banquo's natural nobility and courage underscore Macbeth’s own moral decline and insecurity, as he is well aware that he has broken the natural order, and actually he is not made for King. Macbeth acknowledges Banquo’s "wisdom that doth guide his valor / To act in safety," which contrasts sharply with Macbeth's reckless ambition and fallout into

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