ipl-logo

Macbeth Vs Banquo Essay

778 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The role of witches in macbeth analysis

The characteristics of Macbeth and Banquo differ, though they face most of the same challenges. The play Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare in 1606. There are significant differences between Banquo and Macbeth’s characteristics with the witches, Different prophecies with the witches, Desire to Murder, and Temptation with Ambition. The witches provide a different prophecy for both Macbeth and Banquo. Three witches, or supernatural phenomena’s called the weird sisters in Shakespeare’s historical source – book, they are related to the three Fates in Classical mythology. Productions have represented them very differently: as grotesque and frightening; comic and ridiculous; young and beautiful or masked and hideous. As Macbeth and Banquo …show more content…

VI “intro”). Macbeth and Banquo face different challenges when it comes to handling temptation with ambition. In Macbeth we see more clearly than we are able to see in real life, the effects of uncontrolled ambition on a man. Macbeth is, except for his ambition, noble in nature. He has full knowledge of right and wrong, he knows that he has committed a very great crime by murdering Duncan. In the book Shakespeare shows us how Macbeth gradually becomes hardened to his crimes and yet how he suffers from fears which he has brought on himself. Macbeth is known as a mighty and ambitious warrior, one of the leaders of Duncan’s army. A witches’ prophecy leads him to murder Duncan so that he himself can be king, but his conscience afterwards will never him rest. Banquo is known as Macbeth’s co-commander in Duncan’s army. He also hears the witches’ prophecies, but resists their temptation. Macbeth speaks very little when first the witches, and then Ross, hail him as “Thane of Cawdor”. Perhaps he is stunned to silence by his good fortune. He soon begins to admit to a suggestion. Some horrible imaginings then he says the word “murder” to himself. Macbeth continues to fight the ambition with murder but Macbeth’s desire is to not give into the desire he has because of the prophecies. Banquo’s temptation is to not believe in the witches prophecies, but to take the matter into his own hands. But Banquo fought the Dark side of Ambition and overcame his

Show More
Related
1956 Words | 8 Pages

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.'”

Read More
672 Words | 3 Pages

Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature” (Act 3. Scene1. Lines 47-49. Page44). To Macbeth, becoming king is worthless unless his position as king is safe. He fears that Banquo’s murder will be revenged by his own murder, and it may reveal the hidden knowledge of his guilt.

Read More
852 Words | 4 Pages

As a result Jealousy and regret filled his mind when he reasoned that Banquo’s Children would inherit the throne and not his own. In the story we see that Macbeth starts to see Banquo's “light” and admits consistently that Banquo has so much things going for him and is the only real threat Macbeth sees. It is most noticeable in the story when Macbeth says

Read More
464 Words | 2 Pages

His action in taking the life of the king is an abuse of his power as host and subject, and he pays with his life and his sanity. The courageous soldier a dead butcher. Macbeth also had fear of Banquo he thought he would take his power. Killing others is Macbeth form of bullying using physical force. Macbeth’s desire for control stimulates his violent behavior.

Read More
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.

Read More
736 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More
414 Words | 2 Pages

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

Read More
1024 Words | 5 Pages

From such actions the audience starts to see Banquo as a less iimportant casualty of the aspiration and brutality of others. However, in reality he isn't as it were a victim of Macbeth’s state of fearful mind but a fatality of what the prophecies said and eventually by his own mind and his true thirst for control. In many ways he is represented as the antithesis of Macbeth. If it wasn't for his own premature fateful death, who knows what Banquo would have done for his son to become king, his death could very well have saved him from a further moral decline. Shakespeare uses the constructions of Macbeth and Banquo to show how and when men react to temptation.

Read More
964 Words | 4 Pages

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.

Read More
878 Words | 4 Pages

The Real and the Fiction Oftentimes in the past, changes to history were inevitable to create theatrical masterpieces and true works of art, these alterations are even apparent in today’s society when the film industry, pieces of literature, and novels are examined. During the writing process for the dramatic tragedy entitled Macbeth, first performed in 1611, William Shakespeare’s main sources of information were Holinshed’s Chronicles (Macbeth)… From there many adjustments were made to the story’s plot and the characters/ line of approach: dramatic purpose (exciting story); create more complex characterization of Macbeth; political purpose catering to the reigning monarch’s beliefs In the Scottish Play, Banquo’s character is drastically changed

Read More
771 Words | 4 Pages

The distinction is apparent between Banquo and Macbeth, because unlike Macbeth, Banquo is cautious of what the witches have to say, though Macbeth simply commands to hear more. Furthermore, Banquo neither fears nor begs for the predictions the witches may have, whereas Macbeth’s concern is evident during this encounter, as well as when the witches bring about the apparitions to him. Macbeth acts in relation to the prophecies; killing to fulfill the prophecy, or eliminating threats to his throne. Banquo neither fears nor begs for the predictions the witches have in store for him, displaying his cautious attitude in regards of the deceiving sisters. Banquo’s lack of belief is evident once more as he says to Macbeth, “Were such things here, as we do speak about? /

Read More
1257 Words | 6 Pages

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.

Read More
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).

Read More
835 Words | 4 Pages

Even so, both characters’ actions are exceedingly different. Each character make a choice. Macbeth makes a choice to achieve his prophecy by force while Banquo chooses the passive approach.

Read More
525 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More

More about Macbeth Vs Banquo Essay

Related Topics

Open Document