MACBETH AND BANQUO Flashcards
HOW DOES SHAKESPEARE PRESENT MACBETH AND BANQUOS RELATIONSHIP
Comrades in Arms: Macbeth and Banquo are introduced as loyal companions and brave warriors who fought together on the battlefield. They share a strong bond forged through their shared experiences in battle, and they are depicted as trusting and supportive allies.
Mutual Respect: There is a mutual respect between Macbeth and Banquo, evident in their interactions and dialogue throughout the play. They address each other with honorific titles and speak highly of each other’s valor and character, demonstrating a genuine admiration for one another.
Ambition and Temptation: Despite their camaraderie, the relationship between Macbeth and Banquo becomes strained as Macbeth’s ambition is ignited by the witches’ prophecies. While Banquo remains skeptical and cautious, Macbeth becomes increasingly consumed by his desire for power, leading to a growing divide between them.
Betrayal and Murder: The turning point in Macbeth and Banquo’s relationship occurs when Macbeth betrays and murders Banquo in order to eliminate him as a threat to his throne. Macbeth’s ruthless pursuit of power leads him to betray his former friend, highlighting the extent to which ambition can corrupt and destroy relationships.
Guilt and Remorse: Following Banquo’s murder, Macbeth experiences feelings of guilt and remorse, haunted by Banquo’s ghost and tormented by his actions. This suggests that, despite his betrayal, Macbeth still harbors a sense of guilt and conflict over his actions, indicating the lingering impact of their former friendship.
MACBETH AND BANQUO:COMRADES IN ARMS:QUOTES
“So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” - Banquo
MACBETH AND BANQUO:MUTUAL RESPECT:QUOTES
“Noble Banquo,
My noble partner
MACBETH AND BANQUO:AMBITION AND TEMPTATION:QUOTES
“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
MACBETH AND BANQUO:BETRAYAL AND MURDER:QUOTES
It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood
MACBETH AND BANQUO:GUILT AND REMORSE:QUOTES
Thou canst not say I did it; never shake Thy gory locks at me.
Noble Banquo,
My noble partner
In Act 3, Scene 1 of “Macbeth,” Macbeth’s address to Banquo as “Noble Banquo” reflects a sense of respect and admiration for his fellow warrior and companion. This line occurs in a private conversation between Macbeth and Banquo, just after Macbeth has been crowned king. It serves as a moment of intimacy between the two characters, allowing Macbeth to express his genuine feelings towards Banquo.
The phrase “Noble Banquo” highlights Macbeth’s recognition of Banquo’s character and qualities. Despite Macbeth’s growing ambition and desire for power, he still acknowledges Banquo’s nobility and merits. This suggests that, at least initially, Macbeth holds Banquo in high esteem and values their relationship as comrades-in-arms.
Furthermore, Macbeth’s statement that Banquo “hast no less deserved” emphasizes his belief in Banquo’s worthiness and the equality of their accomplishments. Macbeth sees Banquo as a worthy and deserving individual, deserving of praise and recognition for his contributions on the battlefield and beyond.
“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,
illustrates Banquo’s rational and cautious nature. He challenges the witches to demonstrate their ability to foresee the future with precision, suggesting that he does not easily succumb to superstition or supernatural beliefs.
Banquo’s reference to “the seeds of time” symbolizes the uncertainty and unpredictability of the future. By likening the future to seeds that may or may not germinate and grow, Banquo emphasizes the complexity of destiny and the limitations of human understanding. His skepticism towards the witches’ prophecies underscores his grounded and pragmatic approach to life, in contrast to Macbeth’s increasing obsession with power and ambition.
Furthermore, Banquo’s assertion that he “neither beg[s] nor fear[s] / Your favors nor your hate” demonstrates his independence of spirit and self-assurance. He refuses to be swayed by the witches’ promises or threats, maintaining his integrity and moral principles in the face of temptation. This highlights Banquo’s strength of character and his commitment to moral righteousness, even as others around him are seduced by ambition and deceit.
Overall, this quote encapsulates the theme of ambition and temptation in “Macbeth” by contrasting Banquo’s skepticism and moral fortitude with Macbeth’s susceptibility to manipulation and ambition. Banquo’s steadfastness serves as a foil to Macbeth’s moral decline, emphasizing the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition and the importance of moral integrity in resisting temptation.
It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood
captures the theme of guilt and the cycle of violence that pervades the play. This line occurs during the banquet scene, immediately after Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo, whom he has murdered. Macbeth’s utterance reflects his tortured conscience and the psychological torment he experiences as a result of his crimes.
The phrase “It will have blood” suggests a relentless and inexorable pursuit of vengeance or retribution. It implies that the violence and bloodshed initiated by Macbeth’s actions will inevitably lead to further bloodshed and suffering. This reflects the recurring motif of blood throughout the play, symbolizing guilt, sin, and the consequences of immoral actions.
Moreover, the repetition of the word “blood” emphasizes its symbolic significance and the pervasive nature of guilt and violence in Macbeth’s world. The phrase “blood will have blood” suggests a cyclical pattern of violence, where acts of aggression and betrayal beget further acts of violence in an endless cycle of retribution.
Furthermore, Macbeth’s acknowledgment of this cycle of violence underscores his awareness of the moral and spiritual consequences of his actions. Despite his initial willingness to shed blood to achieve his ambitions, Macbeth now recognizes the futility and destructiveness of his actions, as they only serve to perpetuate a cycle of suffering and despair.
MACBETH AND BANQUO: Thou canst not say I did it; never shake Thy gory locks at me.
In Act 3, Scene 4 of “Macbeth,” Macbeth’s desperate plea, “Thou canst not say I did it; never shake / Thy gory locks at me,” encapsulates the theme of guilt and the psychological torment experienced by the protagonist. This line occurs during the banquet scene, immediately after Macbeth witnesses the ghost of Banquo, whom he has murdered. Macbeth’s outburst reveals his tortured conscience and his futile attempts to suppress feelings of guilt and remorse.
The phrase “Thou canst not say I did it” reflects Macbeth’s desperate denial of responsibility for Banquo’s murder. Despite his outward bravado and ambition, Macbeth is haunted by his guilt and seeks to absolve himself of blame. His plea to the ghost suggests a deep-seated fear of exposure and retribution, as he struggles to maintain his facade of power and authority in the face of his inner turmoil.
The image of Banquo’s “gory locks” symbolizes the violence and bloodshed associated with his murder. Macbeth’s reference to the ghost’s appearance underscores his vivid and hallucinatory experience, as well as the intensity of his psychological distress. The fact that Macbeth addresses the ghost directly further emphasizes his internal struggle and his desperate attempts to rationalize or justify his actions.
Moreover, Macbeth’s plea reveals his awareness of the moral and spiritual consequences of his deeds. Despite his initial willingness to commit murder to achieve his ambitions, Macbeth now confronts the reality of his guilt and the inevitability of divine punishment. His inability to escape the specter of his crimes reflects the overarching theme of moral accountability and the inescapable nature of guilt.
Overall, this quote encapsulates the theme of guilt and remorse in “Macbeth,” highlighting the psychological torment experienced by the protagonist as he grapples with the repercussions of his actions. It underscores the tragic trajectory of Macbeth’s character and the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition and moral corruption.
“So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” - Banquo,
In Act 1, Scene 3 of “Macbeth,” Banquo’s statement, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen,” captures the juxtaposition of the supernatural elements and the brutal reality of war that characterizes the play. This line reflects Banquo’s observant and thoughtful nature, as well as his ability to perceive the world in nuanced terms.
The phrase “foul and fair” suggests a paradoxical blend of good and evil, beauty and ugliness. It mirrors the witches’ chant in the opening scene of the play, where they declare, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,” indicating the inversion of moral values and the presence of ambiguity and deception throughout the narrative.
Banquo’s observation of the day as both “foul” and “fair” highlights the duality of the events unfolding around him. On one hand, there is the physical brutality of battle, symbolized by the “foul” aspects of war. On the other hand, there is the promise of victory and honor, represented by the “fair” aspects of military valor and bravery.
Furthermore, Banquo’s remark foresh
