BANQUO Flashcards
Witches prophecies
Macbeth is “rapt withal” —> bears connotations of being entranced and absorbed by the Witches
Banquo will “neither beg nor fear your favours nor your hate” as he is indifferent to their prophecies - perceives prophecies with scepticism
Banquo’s role as foil emphasised by the juxtaposition of his prophecies with Macbeth’s “lesser” and “greater”, with
“happier” and “not so happy”.
BANQUO is morally strong and virtuous character who resists evil providing antithesis to Macbeth who is morally weak, innately flawed and evil character who gives into temptation
Temptation
Shakespeare portrays temptation as the crux of the play. It is vital for Banquo to be faced with temptation and ambition as it proves that Banquo is morally strong; his strength doesn’t come from an easy path, but from resisting temptation. Macbeth’s hamartia (a fatal flaw) is that he is too weak to resist the influence of the Witches and Lady Macbeth.
Arguably this is a message from Shakespeare to the audience that everyone is capable of evil and they must resist it. Banquo doesn’t speak out against injustice and corruption, despite being tempted by the promise of being “the root and father of many kings”. He won’t reveal the evil prophecy that promises him attractive things; perhaps this is because he wants it to come true too and has the flaw of ambition. However, his flaw is not his hamartia; he can resist it.
“what, can the devil speak true”.
Banquo resists the temptations of evil offered by the
Supernatural (in the form of the Witches) throughout the play. This would have appeased a contemporary audience, which widely believed that the devil existed on earth and walked amongst humans trying to tempt them. Thus, the Witches can be seen as a symbol of temptation to sin that Banquo, as a moral superior, is able to resist.
This implies that he views them as agents of the devil and sees them for what they are. This supports James l’s view in Daemonologie that witches are controlled by the devil.
“merciful powers, restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in repose”.
Banquo would have been perceived by a contemporary audience as a moralistic character as his values were in line with those of the Christian Church. He calls upon God for help in resisting temptation. Shakespeare uses the theme of temptation, which has Biblical connotations, in reference to BANQUO as Jesus was tempted three times by the devil and resisted; perhaps Shakespeare is attempting to draw parallels between the Banquo and Jesus.
