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Banquo's Flaws

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Macbeth Essay
In Macbeth one of the most notable aspects of the famous literary work is the underlying themes about unbridled ambition and the dangers that can come from it. The play paved the way for many “Cliche” characters and plot elements that are still used today. What really made Macbeth stand out is the relatability of the characters. It is easier to understand a flawed character than a perfect hero figure, because everyone is inherently flawed. Noting theses two elements Banquo really stands out. Banquo’s lack of ambition and surplus of over the top good-guy characteristics made him the least relatable character and perhaps the most mad of them all.
Banquo is a majorly good guy character. He is the quintessential perfect best friend, …show more content…

The high contrast shows Macbeth’s “fall from grace” so to speak. It carefully documents his downfall from beloved war hero to a murderous lying corrupt king. Both of them were given a prophecy, both had a lot to gain from murdering and they both were killed for the “golden round”. One died to save his son, the other died protecting his rein. Both were killed because of how little or how much ambition they had. Banquo is everything Macbeth could have been if he was not corrupt, however Banquo was titless. The struggle between having ambitions and having humility is a main theme throughout the play. Saying the extreme of having too much ambition makes Macbeth mad, means that Banquo must also be mad for have no …show more content…

In the forest he told Fleance to run away instead of coming to his aid. “O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge. O slave!” (III,3,1260)Theoretically a warrior as gallant and heroic as banquo could have put up a really good fight for his life especially with another soldier but he wanted to make sure Fleance lived, sacrificing himself. This madness Banquo has makes him an overly good character. Even his interactions with his son are far more fatherly than a normal father-son relationship at the time. Banquo truly embodies innocence and Macbeth embodies

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With Macbeth being a general in the Scottish military, he had major influences on people and their daily lives. After the murder of King Duncan, Banquo’s suspicion of who committed the murders arose around a single suspect, Macbeth. Knowing that Banquo most likely knew the truth that Macbeth killed King Duncan, Macbeth went back to his evil ways with ease. Through his attendant, Macbeth summons three murderers. Shakespeare introduces the murders with stage direction “[Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers]” (Shakespeare, 363), in which Macbeth he uses Banquo as bait in order to gain their graces and loyalty “That it was he in the times past which held you so under fortune, which you thought had been our innocent self: this I made good to you in our last conference, pass'd in probation with you, how you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments, who wrought with them, and all things else that might, so half a soul and to a notion crazed, Say 'Thus did Banquo.'”

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He had a priceless dedication to his son and loved the child until the tragic end, protecting Fleance not with weapons, but with his life. If it weren’t for the tyrants who ended his life, Banquo would “have died hereafter” (5:5:19) and lived a peaceful, rich life with his son. The “dauntless temper of his mind” (3:1:58) ended up saving his child, therefore proving that he was not a “poor player” (5:5:26). As a respected father, he “hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety” (3:1:59). Our friend was a virtuous role model for his son and although he had human weaknesses, he remained in control and resisted the temptations of the witches’ prophecies.

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(2.1.4-5). Banquo, although experiencing the same things as Macbeth and generally possessing the same characteristics of Macbeth has more control and restriction on his mind and actions than Macbeth does. Macbeth, being Banquo’s friend, eventually sees him as a threat to his mission and kills him off.

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He reveals that he is not strong minded and is easily influenced by those around him. It is through Banquo that one can actually identify Macbeth with these traits. If it were not for Banquo’s calm and responsible reaction to the foretelling, it would be difficult to hold Macbeth on a basis on the appropriate way to respond to the situation. Banquo is not after sole success, and still considers himself successful even with his sons being heirs to the kingdom. With this genuine appreciation, we are able to view Macbeth as a greedy and irrational character.

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Additionally, it also accentuates the unjust nature of Banquo’s murder later on. This is due to the fact that unlike Macbeth, he remained true to his reputation until his death. The night that King Duncan is scheduled to visit Macbeth’s, Lady Macbeth warns him to act normal to avoid suspicion and

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Act 3 scene 4 Analysis Scene 4 of Act 3 takes place at Forres,The murders return to tell Macbeth of Banquo 's death Macbeth returns to the banquet only to be tormented by the ghost of Banquo which is presented in William Shakespeare 's Macbeth usage of metaphors and imagery. The Death of banquo his former best mate has Macbeth reflecting about the moments happening in his life. Macbeth states “I had else been perfect,Whole as the marble, founded as the rock”(2.4.23-24) banquo 's death has Macbeth reflection about his old self and how he used to be a strong man with free will and now he 's reduced to a man who 's easily manipulated almost like a shell of his former self. This scene establishes that Macbeth is no longer the man he used to be he a ghost of his former self.

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Being that Banquo seemed suspicious of Macbeth subsequently the night of the king 's death. Apprehensive of his throne Macbeth would do anything in his power to prevent even the slightest chance for anyone to take the throne from him.

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Firstly, Macbeth wears the cloak of disillusionment, which makes him appear as if he is a subject to honor, but in reality he is a man only of dishonor. Macbeth, a cousin of the king, is quickly established as a general of great prowess, who has decorated himself with the glory of defeating the rebellion and repelling an invasion against Scotland. He is “brave Macbeth” (1.2.16), “valor's minion” (1.2.19), “Bellona's bridegroom” (1.2.54), “noble Macbeth” (1.2.67). Even Duncan, the king himself, exclaims, “O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!”

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In Macbeth’s soliloquy, he talks about Banquo’s “hath of wisdom” and how Banquo acts safely(58). This illustrates that Macbeth is afraid of what Banquo might do. This illustrates Macbeth’s ambition because he is not going to give up until he finds what he is looking for if he gets suspicious with Macbeth. This makes Macbeth very scared of Banquo because if Banquo finds out that Macbeth killed Duncan, Macbeth’s life is going to be hell and Banquo is immediately going to tell everybody in Scotland. Macbeth fears Banquo so much that he will “champion his utterance” and will battle anybody to keep his crown(77).

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Unlike Macbeth, Banquo, from the beginning of this encounter, continues to doubt the witches, “I’th’name of truth are ye fantastical, or that indeed which outwardly ye show?” (1.3.51-52) Banquo didn’t believe what the witches were saying, he questions their intentions and accuses them of raising Macbeth’s hope. Throughout this whole encounter, Banquo continues to protect Macbeth while staying loyal. He never once acted on his prophecies, he simply disregarded what the witches were saying and remained the noble man he is. Even to his death, Banquo has not once acted without honour and

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