Banquo Flashcards
Banquo key characeristics
Noble Qualities:
Virtue and Honor: Banquo is portrayed as a noble and virtuous character. He remains loyal to King Duncan and disapproves of Macbeth’s murderous actions.
Quote: “noble Banquo”, “worthy Banquo”, “wisdom that doth guide his valour”.
Explanation: These phrases emphasize Banquo’s honor and integrity, aligning him with virtue and nobility.
Loyalty: Banquo is determined to keep his allegiance clear and fight for justice, regardless of the temptations of power.
Quote: “keep my bosom franchised and allegiance clear”.
Explanation: This quote reveals Banquo’s commitment to remain loyal, particularly to Duncan, resisting the corrupting influence of the witches’ prophecy.
Strategic Qualities:
Ambiguity and Prudence: Banquo’s response to the witches’ prophecy can be seen as cautious and strategic. He is careful in his words, leaving his options open and not immediately aligning with Macbeth’s rise to power.
Quote: “my allegiance”, “augment”.
Explanation: Banquo speaks in terms of business and loyalty, suggesting a pragmatic approach. His language implies he is reserving judgment and keeping his options open for future allegiances, depending on what benefits him most.
In act 3 scene 1
In Act 3, Scene 1 of Macbeth, Shakespeare portrays Banquo’s murder as a noble one, emphasizing his honor and loyalty. This plotline serves a specific purpose: it flatters King James I, who believed he was descended from Banquo. By depicting Banquo as virtuous and a victim of Macbeth’s treachery, Shakespeare aligns with James’ lineage and strengthens his claim to the throne.
Shakespeare altered the original account from the Holinshed Chronicles, where Banquo was complicit in the murder of Duncan. In the play, Banquo is portrayed as a noble figure, reflecting James I’s interests and securing Shakespeare’s favor with the king. This portrayal also supports the idea of the “Divine Right of Kings,” reinforcing the notion that kings are appointed by God and should not be overthrown, especially in light of the recent Gunpowder Plot.
Shakespeare’s decision to make Banquo a martyr not only flatters James but also helps secure his political support, especially in a time when playwrights and actors were under suspicion due to their connections to conspiracies. By presenting Banquo’s death as noble, Shakespeare ensures the play appeals to James and upholds royal authority.
Banquo is murdered
3.3
Banquo is murdered
Banquo’s death marks the breakdown in Macbeth’s marriage, and Lady Macbeth’s mental deterioration increases. They start to distance from one another after this point as Lady Macbeth disapproves of Banquo’s murder “you must leave this” and thus Macbeth stops involving her in his plans.
Macbeth starts acting independently of his wife, as she is no longer necessary and is redundant. Lady Macbeth has lost her reason to be evil and powerful - she can’t support her husband. She gives in to her guilt as her conscience starts to take over and she goes insane.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth develop in reverse directions. Macbeth becomes more like how Lady Macbeth was formerly, while Lady Macbeth becomes more like Macbeth was. This is therefore a reversal of gender roles and the point at which Macbeth cannot return to virtue, which is evidenced through the extended metaphor: “I am in blood stepp’d in so far that should I wade no further, returning were as tedious as to go o’er” - here the metaphor of wading through “blood’ is symbolic of guilt. Macbeth was a reluctant killer, tempted by Lady Macbeth and the witches. He felt regret and recognised the injustice of Duncan’s death - “wake Duncan with thy knocking, I would thou couldst”. Before, he was killing only to speed up the prophecy. However, now he is killing despite it. He is attempting to change it. Shakespeare does this to portray his greed - what he has will never be enough, he will never feel secure. Thus he will keep doing evil because “things bad begun make strong themselves by ill’.
Macbeth and banquo relationship
- Strong and Loyal Friendship – Act 1, Scene 2
“For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name— / Disdaining fortune, with his brandish’d steel, / Which smoked with bloody execution, / Like valour’s minion carved out his passage.” (Duncan)
Explanation: Banquo and Macbeth are both praised for their bravery in battle, highlighting their initial loyalty and camaraderie. Banquo acknowledges Macbeth’s courage and leadership, which sets up their close relationship before the witches’ prophecy alters their dynamic. - Banquo’s Skepticism of the Witches – Act 1, Scene 3
“What, can the devil speak true?” (Banquo)
Explanation: After hearing the witches’ prophecies, Banquo expresses skepticism about their true nature, suggesting that he does not trust their promises. This marks a clear contrast with Macbeth, who is immediately intrigued and influenced by the witches’ words. - Macbeth’s Ambition and Banquo’s Caution – Act 1, Scene 3
“If you can look into the seeds of time, / And say which grain will grow and which will not, / Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear / Your favors nor your hate.” (Banquo)
Explanation: Banquo, unlike Macbeth, is cautious about the witches’ predictions and refuses to be tempted by them. His focus is on fate and the future, but he does not act on ambition as Macbeth does. - Macbeth’s Solitude and Desire to Kill Banquo – Act 3, Scene 1
“To be thus is nothing; / But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo / Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature / Reigns that which would be feared.” (Macbeth)
Explanation: Macbeth reflects on his insecurity and the threat he feels from Banquo, who remains virtuous and honorable. Macbeth recognizes Banquo’s noble qualities as a danger to his rule, which drives him to plot Banquo’s murder. - Banquo’s Ghost – Act 3, Scene 4
“Thou canst not say I did it: never shake / Thy gory locks at me.” (Macbeth)
Explanation: After Banquo’s murder, Macbeth is haunted by Banquo’s ghost at the banquet. This moment shows the deep psychological effect of his actions and highlights the divide between Macbeth’s ambition and Banquo’s loyalty.
Key quotes
• In this situation, he remains composed and in control as he states “neither beg nor fear your favours nor your hate”
• This reveals that Banquo is a very moralistic and responsible character who is not easily led astray.
• This juxtaposes Macbeth’s response, who commands the Witches to
“stay, you imperfect speakers”, revealing his desperation.
Both Macbeth, who describes the witches as “imperfect”, and Banquo have recognised the witches as unnatural and evil, yet Macbeth chooses to ignore this because he wants to believe their prophecies.
• However, the Witches’ prophecy prompts the question: why does Banquo save his son? He tells Fleance to “fly” - but also “thou mayst avenge”. Therefore, it is clear that he wants Fleance to avenge his death and perhaps kill Macbeth or to take the crown and therefore fulfill the prophecy.
Earlier in the play, the father-son relationship is not depicted as being close or loving, as Shakespeare employs the formal language of “boy” and “sir”, rather than ‘father’ or ‘son’. Here, he makes the audience question whether his sacrifice is out of love, or out of ambition.
“noble Banquo”, “worthy Banquo”, “no less deserv’d”, “wisdom that doth guide his valour” and a “royalty of nature”
• Banquo is repeatedly referred to as being noble and honourable throughout the play.
• Shakespeare thus makes it clear that he is widely regarded as such and there should be no doubt to his loyalty. Yet, in Shakespeare’s play ‘Othello’ the antagonist lago is similarly known to be honest and honourable - yet is anything but these qualities.
“the instruments of darkness tell us truths; win us with honest trifles to betray’s in deepest consequence”.
• Here, Banquo is referring to the Witches as being “the instruments of darkness”. Unlike Macbeth, who is refusing to see the potential consequences of believing in the prophecies, Banquo is aware that there is likely a trap involved in the predictions.
