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Macbeth And Banquo Analysis

964 Words4 Pages

Comparison and distinction between Macbeth and Banquo Macbeth and Banquo are two main characters in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth. While the two men do initially have some similarities, they also are very different. In the play courage, ambition, and loyalty play major roles in how the characters Macbeth and Banquo behave and react. Both Macbeth and Banquo present all three of these behaviours at one time or another during the play. Firstly, the captain recalls Macbeth’s heroic performance in battle against Macdonald’s forces by telling King Duncan, “For Brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name) - Disdaining fortune with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution” (Shakespeare 1.2.16-18). Macbeth’s valiant exploits on the battlefield are celebrated by King Duncan and the Scottish nobleman for how valiant Macbeth is. The captain proceeds to tell …show more content…

This is shown when Banquo verbally expresses, “So I lose none in seeking to augment it, but still keep My bosom franchis’d and allegiance clear, I shall be counsell’d” (2.1.27-30) Banquo says that he will always be loyal to Macbeth as long as he’s not asked to do anything that goes against his heart and conscience. This puts him in direct contrast with Macbeth. The witches made Banquo a promise too, but he did nothing in response to those prophecies, so he seems far nobler than his friends. Banquo and Macbeth both are loyal, Macbeth was loyal to the king and Banquo was loyal to Macbeth. As has been shown, the character of Macbeth and Banquo both are courageous, ambitious, and loyal but in kindred and different ways. Macbeth and Banquo are courageous because they fought the battle fearfully. Both of them are ambitious but Banquo does not act upon his ambition and Macbeth does which leads him into doing murders. They are also loyal to each other and to the king. Therefore, Macbeth and Banquo have similar and distinctive

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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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In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses juxtaposition to set up foils that highlight different characteristics of Macbeth: Duncan reveals the depth of Macbeth’s depravity, while Banquo emphasizes Macbeth’s ambition, and Lady Macbeth accentuates Macbeth’s insecurities; exemplifying how a fatal flaw leads to a downfall. Duncan blindly trusts his subjects by providing them with numerous words of praise and rewards. After the former Thane of Cawdor is executed, the king proclaims,..., depicting his exceedingly naive and credulous features. Duncan's righteous personality contrasts with Macbeth’s cautious and cunning nature, and the virtuous ruler meets his end as his trust for Macbeth obscures Macbeth’s murderous motives. Similar to Duncan, Banquo is another

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Whereas in the text of Macbeth, the setting is first presented as evil, stated by Macbeth “no foul and fair a day I have not seen“. On the contrary Macbeth is presented as ‘brave’ and ‘courageous’, ‘the savior of the day’, this implies that the writers chose the great difference in setting and character for the reader to

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2055 Words | 9 Pages

Macbeth is effortlessly susceptible to evil where Banquo takes a more cautious approach to almost everything that he encounters and ponders about what may come next. Banquo plays it safe and never is hasty when it comes to making decisions while Macbeth is quick to act and believes everything that he is told; “Shakespeare's Banquo is the antithesis of Macbeth -- his pure, moral character foil. Banquo has no 'vaulting ambition' and thus can easily escape the trap of the Witches' prophesies.” (Mabillard, “Introduction to the Characters in Macbeth”). Banquo stays untainted by the witches prophesy while Macbeth allows and calls upon evil spirits to help him on his malevolent pursuit.

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After the killers told mAcbeth that they had killed Banquo, he states,¨'Tis better thee without than he within. Is he dispatched?¨ (III.iv.15). This quote reveals that he was cruel because we see Banquo as an honorable man and even Macbeth's best friend. The fact that Macbeth had Banquo killed just because he was suspicious tells the reader that Macbeth Is cruel.

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The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare set in Scotland about a murderous and vehement king who spirals on a path of destruction as he suffers from the consequences of determining his own fate. The predominant theme portrayed throughout the play is honor vs. loyalty. This is represented through the identification, actions, and quotes of numerous characters. To introduce the theme of honor vs. disloyalty, the characters Banquo and Macbeth exemplify traits that are equivalent with the moral of the story.

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Throughout the story, Banquo serves as a loyal side character to Macbeth. This corresponds to 1984 with Winston’s relationship to Obrien, with Winston being the loyal ally to Obrien. Both authors use this relationship between the main protagonists and their side characters as a means of expressing the human nature of betrayal. Macbeth’s act of betrayal towards Banquo occurs when he calls for the assassination of him. This betrays the trust that Banquo has for Macbeth.

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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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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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Macbeth come across the three witches, there they state, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor” (Act 1, Scene 3). In reply to the three witches, Macbeth demanded “stay you imperfect speakers! Tell me more”. With just these few statements announced, Macbeth’s thirst for power and glory arises and is clearly seen.

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Macbeth - Discovery beyond the script - Individual critical response Anneli Tan Banquo is equally important to the play dead as he is alive. Discuss. Banquo is a brave, noble and loyal general, who fights beside his fellow general, Macbeth, to protect his King, Duncan, and his people. He is a man who keeps his promise and does not betray trust given to him. His close relationship with Macbeth and King Duncan and his encounter with the three witches prove to be important in the course of the play and gives us insight on how he is important dead as he is alive.

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935 Words | 4 Pages

i. 121-126, 137-138). Macbeth tells the murderers that since him and Banquo have the same friends Macbeth cannot use his powers to execute Banquo, because people will overthrow Macbeth if they find out Macbeth to be the

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527 Words | 3 Pages

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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Macbeth and Banquo were seen as relatively similar individuals who acted with nobility. At the beginning, they both were loyal military leaders who fought hard for their king and their country. However, after their encounter with the Three Weird Sisters, they began to show their differences through the actions they make in regards to prophecies they were given. Macbeth and Banquo were both heroic, noble and brave leaders who led their armies to victory numerous of times. They were loyal subjects to the king, and they lived their lives continuously fighting for him as well as the country.

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