Significance of Banquo

Question 1

Banquo meets the witches (1.3)

Answer 1

Priestley incorporates a predatory description of Eva as there
are connotations of desire and fertility from the adjective
“fresh”, as Gerald views her sexually from the start.
Priestley’s use of this adjective has plural connotations as
Gerald views Eva like food - a possession.

Question 2

Macbeth plots Banquo’s murder (3.1)

Answer 2

. Shakespeare has an ulterior motive to portray Banquo’s death as a
noble one.

. It is important to understand why Shakespeare
deliberately decides for Banquo to be killed by Macbeth’s assassins
and die while saving his child

. This death would have been more
compelling to James I than the death of Duncan, due to James’
personal connection and interest in Banquo and will, therefore, care
about his death at the hands of Macbeth

. By
presenting Banquo favorably, Shakespeare is showing support and
praise for James. He needed to make the play enjoyable to the king
and thereby win him as a patron - support his play company and win
his political support against Puritans trying to ban theatre

Question 3

Banquo is murdered (3.3)

Answer 3

. 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

. 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 recognized the injustice of Duncan’s death

Question 4

Banquo’s ghost (3.4)

Answer 4

After being killed by Macbeth in the scene before, Banquo reappears
as a ghost at a Banquet held by Macbeth and his wife; however, he is
only visible to Macbeth. This, along with the floating dagger, enables
Macbeth’s paranoid mind even more. Banquo’s ghost appears and
disappears three times, increasing the chaotic state of Macbeth’s
thinking