Banquo's Changes In The Tragedy Of Macbeth By William Shakespeare
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to make a important decision? One that could change your whole life? In the famous Drama written by William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Macbeth, the main character Macbeth is faced with many challenges. Macbeth meets three witches who tell him he will become King one day. Yet, the witches also claim Banquo’s sons will be King.. After hearing this news Macbeth, along with his wife Lady Macbeth, make some deceiving plans in order to earn the throne. Macbeth was in control of his own actions and attempted to control the future, while simultaneously burying the past.
Macbeth tries to control the future by killing King Duncan, Banquo’s son Fleance, and Macduffs family. After Macbeth heard the prophecy,
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Macbeth is now King, but is not yet content. The witches told Macbeth that Banquos sons will carry on the throne. This worried Macbeth because he was unsure if Banquo would betray him so that his sons could reign. “Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared. ‘Tis much he dares; And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor to act in safety. There is none but he whose being I do fear: and under him my genius is rebuked, as it is said Mark Antony’s was by Ceasar.” (Act III, Scene I, Lines 49-57). Macbeth felt deeply threatened by Banquo and with little to no hesitation sent people after him. Macbeth also compared their situation to Mark Antony and Ceasar. This allusion that Shapespeare added with Macbeth acting as Ceasar, and Banquo as Mark Antony forms a connection with his other work in Julias Ceasar. The way Antonys fortunes were less than Ceasars, just like Banquos to Macbeths.
Some may argue Macbeth was not in control, and his wife Lady Macbeth was. Lady Macbeth encouraged her husband many times to commit ill acts in order to gain higher power. Although, in the end it was Macbeth’s choices and actions that lead to many losses. “When you durst do it, then you were a man: and to be more that what you were, you would be so much more the man.” (Act I, Scene VII, Lines 50-52). Macbeth was in control of his own actions. His actions were not
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1015 Words | 5 PagesWhen the Witches' prophecy states Banquoes son will become king one day, Macbeth quickly acts and remarks, "I am settled, and bend up / Each corporal agent to this terrible feat" (3.1.92-93). Macbeth decides to have Banquo and his son Fleance killed, despite his initial reluctance to harm his friend. Macbeth's determination remains evident in his language as he declares his resolve to carry out the "terrible feat," and in his interactions with the murderers he hires. Clearly, Macbeth's determination to maintain his hold on power overrides his moral qualms and personal relationships. Macbeth's actions as a King seem to only promote and help himself which becomes known when he states, "I'll make assurance double sure, / And take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live; / That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, / And sleep in spite of thunder" (3.4.90-93).
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527 Words | 3 PagesIn Macbeth’s soliloquy, he talks about Banquo’s “hath of wisdom” and how Banquo acts safely(58). This illustrates that Macbeth is afraid of what Banquo might do. This illustrates Macbeth’s ambition because he is not going to give up until he finds what he is looking for if he gets suspicious with Macbeth. This makes Macbeth very scared of Banquo because if Banquo finds out that Macbeth killed Duncan, Macbeth’s life is going to be hell and Banquo is immediately going to tell everybody in Scotland. Macbeth fears Banquo so much that he will “champion his utterance” and will battle anybody to keep his crown(77).
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