banquo Flashcards
1.4 “The service and the loyalty I owe”
-BQ emphasises that a true king serves the people + upholds justice - loyal
-contrasts with MB’s self-serving ambition
-shakespeare presents an ideal model of kingship based on duty + loyalty
-highlights difference between just ruler + one driven by ambition
2.1 “Their candles are all out”
-BQ is the antithesis of deceitful, he is honest + sincere + confesses his temptation - he is emblematic of Jesus
-comments on the lack of stars in the sky - he seeks solace from heaven
-MB tries to hide this, opposed to confess “stars hide your fire” - this motif of stars exposes MB + BQ as diametrically opposed in their aspirations
-MB wants to hide his malicious intentions from God yet BQ wants to confess his temptations to be free of them
-pathetic fallacy: creates atmosphere of obscurity + fear
2.1 “restrain in me the cursed thoughts”
-BQ understands the ludicrousness of plotting to kill the king based on the unsubstantiated prophecies of the witches - morally conscious
-antithesis to LMB who voluntarily calls the “spirits”
-BQ wants to blockade any corruption by unnatural force - he perceptively recognises them as “cursed”
3.1 “royalty of nature”
-BQ is depicted as having an exemplary balance of ambition + respectability
-his noble + majestic nature is not overpowered by his ambition
-“royalty” connotes “power” + “status” - MB recognises BQ has maintained his power as an ambitious stoic hero whilst maintaining his status as a rational + intelligent being
-suggests MB is jealous of BQ or maybe fears him
3.1 “As the weird women promised, and I fear Thou play’dst most foully for’t”
-BQ reflects on witches’ prophecy
-expresses fear that MB has gained titles though foul means - persceptive + astute
-his words reveal suspicion showing BQ’s moral integrity + caution
-BQ remains skeptical + morally aware highlighting his role as a foil to MB
3.1 “He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour”
-BQ is a foil to MB - MB embodies reckless power whereas BQ has self-constraint + control
-MB is envious (7 deadly sins) of BQ’s ability to restrain his ambition + refrain from over-indulgence into “deep desires”
-BQ is more shrewd than MB
