Good/Banquo Flashcards
“rapt withal”
“neither beg nor fear your favours nor your hate“
“lesser” and “greater”, with “happier” and “not so happy”.
Shakespeare uses the constructs of Macbeth and Banquo to show how men can react when shown temptation. Banquo is portrayed as Macbeth’s foil and is therefore symbolic of man’s ability to resist temptation. We can see the differences between the two men when we observe their reactions to the witches’ prophecies. Macbeth is “rapt withal” which bears connotations of being entranced and absorbed by the Witches. However, Banquo will “neither beg nor fear your favours nor your hate” as he is indifferent to their prophecies. He takes the witches for what they physically appear to be - ragged old women. He doesn’t trust them so he perceives their 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”. Here, Shakespeare’s use of antithesis in his phrasing hints that Banquo serves as Macbeth’s antithesis. This suggests Banquo is a morally strong and virtuous character who resists evil, providing a contrast to Macbeth, who is a morally weak, innately flawed and evil character who gives into temptation.
“royalty of nature”
Macbeth is shown to fear Banquo’s “royalty of nature” Banquo has had the same experience as Macbeth, yet Banquo has responded as Macbeth should have. This means Banquo serves as a constant reflection of how Macbeth should have acted. He also serves as a constant reminder of the morality Macbeth started with and is losing.
“Imperfect”
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.
“I fear thou played’st most foully for’t”
Banquo suspects Macbeth but doesn’t speak out as he states “I fear thou played’st most foully for’t”. He suspects Macbeth because he can identify evil as a moral person. Or, perhaps, he suspects Macbeth because it’s what Banquo would have done in Macbeth’s position, as he had “cursed thoughts” himself.
“lesser than Macbeth and greater”
The Witches predict Banquo being “lesser than Macbeth and greater”. This becomes true: In status, he is lesser, but he is morally superior, with a stronger will. He remained loyal to the kind and obedient to God and the ‘Great Chain of Being’ and therefore he will have a greater afterlife
“the instruments of darkness tell us truths; win us with honest trifles to betray’s in deepest consequence”
“the instruments of darkness”
“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.
