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Macbeth And Banquo Analysis

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Comparison and distinction between Macbeth and Banquo Macbeth and Banquo are two main characters in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth. While the two men do initially have some similarities, they also are very different. In the play courage, ambition, and loyalty play major roles in how the characters Macbeth and Banquo behave and react. Both Macbeth and Banquo present all three of these behaviours at one time or another during the play. Firstly, the captain recalls Macbeth’s heroic performance in battle against Macdonald’s forces by telling King Duncan, “For Brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name) - Disdaining fortune with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution” (Shakespeare 1.2.16-18). Macbeth’s valiant exploits on the battlefield are celebrated by King Duncan and the Scottish nobleman for how valiant Macbeth is. The captain proceeds to tell …show more content…

This is shown when Banquo verbally expresses, “So I lose none in seeking to augment it, but still keep My bosom franchis’d and allegiance clear, I shall be counsell’d” (2.1.27-30) Banquo says that he will always be loyal to Macbeth as long as he’s not asked to do anything that goes against his heart and conscience. This puts him in direct contrast with Macbeth. The witches made Banquo a promise too, but he did nothing in response to those prophecies, so he seems far nobler than his friends. Banquo and Macbeth both are loyal, Macbeth was loyal to the king and Banquo was loyal to Macbeth. As has been shown, the character of Macbeth and Banquo both are courageous, ambitious, and loyal but in kindred and different ways. Macbeth and Banquo are courageous because they fought the battle fearfully. Both of them are ambitious but Banquo does not act upon his ambition and Macbeth does which leads him into doing murders. They are also loyal to each other and to the king. Therefore, Macbeth and Banquo have similar and distinctive

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