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Why Is Banquo Important In Macbeth

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The character Banquo, in my opinion, is a brave and honourable man, possessing unwavering loyalty to those he acknowledges as superior to him in the Great Chain of Being. Like Macbeth, Banquo is influenced by his own curiosity and inner desires. He contains the same ‘vaulting ambition’ as Macbeth but it is his restraint and ability to fight against temptation that leads him to choose the safer path, one without murder and betrayal. Unfortunately for Banquo, it leads to his assassination.
I would portray Banquo as a very straightforward man with great respect for his superiors. I see him as someone who isn’t meant to stand out but is noticed for his integrity, nonetheless. In the scene when they find King Duncan dead and look to find the murderer, Banquo initially suspects that it was Macbeth, but it is his loyalty to his friend that stops him from calling Macbeth out. It was later in Act 3; Scene 1, when Banquo was talking to Macbeth that he confronts him about the murder. “Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all/ As the weird women promised, and I fear/ Thou played’st most foully for’t.” …show more content…

It left him vulnerable. For example, Banquo didn’t consider it possible that Macbeth would have him murdered as well. However, his honour does make Banquo a very sympathetic figure for a number of reasons. Firstly, Banquo is motivated by a noble cause... his children. The audience can sympathize with him and the love he has for his children. Secondly, the audience can relate to Banquo because he has the attributes of a regular person, more so than might exist in reality. Finally, the audience also sympathizes with Banquo because he was murdered by his supposed

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