Examples Of Insecurities In Macbeth

Banquo speaks this quote immediately after Macbeth is told that he will be the new Thane of Cawdor. It is a stark warning that shows evidence of logical deduction and

Banquo's declaration of allegiance also allows for proof towards his unchanging ideals, whereas immorality and blind ambition poison Macbeth?s thoughts. Macbeth describes his fear of Banquo shrewdly in that they ?stick deep, and his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared. ?Tis much he dares he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor to act in safety? (III.i). Macbeth concludes his friend has remained his pure self and therefore is his moral antithesis. Banquo continues to hold a much clearer grip on life and real quality as a man in comparison to Macbeth, hence, Macbeth is forced to kill him if he is to follow through with his plan and go down a dark road.

In this play, the three equivocators have a resilient effect, not only on Macbeth but on the other characters too. ‘Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. Not so happy yet much happier. Thou shalt get kings though thou be none.' (Act 1 Scene 3) Banquo is directly involved with the three witches; he talks to them face to face. Being at first strongly contrasted with Macbeth, as an innocent man with a guilty one, it seems like this contrast must be continued to his death; while, in reality, though it is never removed, it is gradually diminished. Banquo in fact may be described much more truly than Macbeth as the victim of the Witches.

The main interest of the character of Banquo arises from the changes that take place in him, and from the influence of the witches upon him. And it is curious that Shakespeare's intention here is so frequently missed. Banquo being at first strongly contrasted with Macbeth, as an innocent man with a

Later in the story, Macbeth does in fact gave Banquo killed and attempts to kill his lineage in fear that Banquo's line will take his throne.

He realizes that if he want to start his own dynasty, then he will have to have control of all the variables. Then Macbeth began to think, “For Banquo’s issues have I filed my mind;/ For them the gracious Duncan I have murdered” (Shakespeare 85). He realizes that he has set himself up to fail. He is cleared a path to the crown for Banquo’s kin. Macbeth goes on to state, “He chid the sisters/ When first they put the name of king upon me” (Shakespeare 85). This give the readers the thought that Banquo is jealous of the king. Macbeth, not wanting to risk his crown, calls for some outside murderers. As I stated earlier, Macbeth knew he must get rid of Banquo and his sons. He succeeds in having Banquo killed, but Banquo’s son, Fleance (the one person Macbeth needed to kill), escapes.

In the play, Macbeth was a man who had shown very little mercy to friends let alone his foes. After killing Duncan to become King, he had hired assassins to go and kill Banquo and his son so that he could secure his reign. Banquo was a close friend of Macbeth, they had gone to war together, lived together, fought together and without a second thought, Macbeth has put a death warrant on Banquo and his son’s head. Here Macbeth shows his newly developed uncompassionate character as he does not care about Banquo and their friendship. “ Rather than so, come fate into the list, And champion me that’ utterance.” Here we can see Macbeth speak about the prophecy and how he realises he let go of his morality but for “ Banquo’s seeds” Macbeth not only showed a lack of compassion towards his best friend but also to other characters such as

Contextually, Banquo was King James’ cousin, and so Shakespeare was Obsequious and bestowed the character within the play with good ambition and godly values. Macbeth and Banquo are after all, equals up to the Heath scene, both fighting

The question Shakespeare poses here is does Banquo's loyalty to the King that has done nothing but good to them supersede ambition in the manner that it evidently doesn't with Macbeth and which attitude will prevail in the grand

In the extract, Shakespeare shows Macbeth’s determination to reach power and how the tyrannical king is willing to use fear and violence to get what he desires. We see that Macbeth feels threatened by Banquo and therefore wants him dead. As he considers his motives in killing the thane, Macbeth reasons that “There is none but he / Whose being do I fear: and, under him, / My Genius is rebuked.” Macbeth makes it clear that he fears Banquo above all others, and is mistrustful of him. Banquo’s ‘wisdom’ makes Macbeth feel foolish and weak, which is emphasised by the key word ‘fear’; the mere concept of Macbeth fearing a man who has made no move to hurt him only highlights the fragility of his position in power at this point in the play. The use of the aggressive verb ‘rebuked’ once again shows that, despite Macbeth experiencing no outward hostility from Banquo, he still feel as if he is in danger of being attacked and even usurped – perhaps due to Banquo’s evident “royalty of nature.” These largely unfounded fears make Macbeth feel as though he is illogical in fearing the thane, and therefore makes him question his own intelligence.

Shortly after, Duncan gave Banquo a shout-out during a gathering with all of the thanes, calling him “true, worthy,” and “valiant,” and describing him as an unmatched “kinsman” (1.4.55-58). Here, Shakespeare slipped in some pretty flattering diction towards Banquo, highlighting that Banquo must have been one good man if his King was speaking so highly of him. Also, Duncan says it for all of the thanes to hear, further solidifying its validity and suggesting that Banquo’s goodness was widely known. While discussing the witches’ prophecy’s with Macbeth, Banquo displays his own loyalty by telling Macbeth he would only partake in shenanigans if he can keep his “allegiance clear” (2.1.29). This shows Banquo living up to the loyal name he has earned himself with the king.

Banquo says this because he knows the morals to becoming a good king, and he is a good friend to macbeth. Now why does macbeth end up killing Banquo? He does because he has a right to the throne and because macbeth knows his own morals changed and he went about getting power the wrong way based on what Banquo

Shakespeare uses Banquo to highlight the fact that Macbeth is “Rapt withal”, Macbeth is very gullible and takes things at face value and he begins to think of the witches’ statements as providence rather than prophecy. Shortly after, during his aside he state that he will leave it to chance but the seeds of ambition are already beginning to grow in his mind due to these prophecies. Also, the quote “to me you speak not” shows that Banquo, contrasting heavily from Macbeth, is rather unfazed by these prophecies. This also furthers their character’s differences, in the sense that Macbeth is more easily persuaded and not questioning anything, while Banquo is more down to earth and is taking the witches words

Banquo has achieved the title of general in his army like Macbeth for being ambitious. When Duncan points out “Dismayed not this captains, Macbeth and Banquo?”(1.2.34) He wonders whether Banquo and Macbeth were frightened after having a bloody battle and continues to discuss their victory. To continue, they contrast due to the witches prophecies, which make them different. When Macbeth hears what the witches have to say he is lost and is convinced that they can foretell the future.

Banquo and Macbeth’s conversation shows their trust in the witches and that Macbeth has been thinking of the witches.