ipl-logo

Macbeth And Banquo Comparison Essay

525 Words3 Pages

Macbeth and Banquo were seen as relatively similar individuals who acted with nobility. At the beginning, they both were loyal military leaders who fought hard for their king and their country. However, after their encounter with the Three Weird Sisters, they began to show their differences through the actions they make in regards to prophecies they were given. Macbeth and Banquo were both heroic, noble and brave leaders who led their armies to victory numerous of times. They were loyal subjects to the king, and they lived their lives continuously fighting for him as well as the country. During the first act, Duncan along with many others showered Macbeth with praises such as, “For brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name-”(1.2.16) and …show more content…

They told Macbeth that he was going to be king, and told Banquo that his children were going to be king. With the knowledge that there is a possibility to become king, along with the selfish human nature, noble Macbeth was easily swayed by this prophecy. At first, Macbeth’s conscience took care of his ambitions, he was afraid he would betray the king, because he knew that he was “his kinsman and his subject” (1.7.13). However as the three witches continue to encourage Macbeth with carefully chosen words, he eventually pushes his conscience away and committed crimes that were dishonourable. Macbeth, easily controlled by his ambitions, loses his noble and heroic title in fear of losing his power. Unlike Macbeth, Banquo, from the beginning of this encounter, continues to doubt the witches, “I’th’name of truth are ye fantastical, or that indeed which outwardly ye show?” (1.3.51-52) Banquo didn’t believe what the witches were saying, he questions their intentions and accuses them of raising Macbeth’s hope. Throughout this whole encounter, Banquo continues to protect Macbeth while staying loyal. He never once acted on his prophecies, he simply disregarded what the witches were saying and remained the noble man he is. Even to his death, Banquo has not once acted without honour and

Show More
Related

  • Greed Quotes In Macbeth

    793 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the first meeting with the witches; where Macbeth is prophesied to become the Thane of Cawdor and finally king. Banquo, whom had also been prophesized to become the father of many kings, comes to a realisation that “the instruments of darkness tell us truths; win us with honest trifles, to betray in deepest consequence”. By saying this, Banquo believes that the witches will earn Banquo and Macbeth’s trust by telling them truth about little things, but if the witches decide to betray the two men, it may leave a devastating effect. Nevertheless, in contrast to Banquo’s skepticism regarding the witches, Macbeth desires to know more, “stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more”, and the idea of becoming king now occurs to him as a possibility. This suggests that Macbeth already has a deep desire for power and status; although, at this point, Macbeth is “too full o’th’milk of human kindness”, to commit himself to this immoral act of murdering the innocent

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Macbeth And Osama Bin Laden

    1956 Words  | 8 Pages

    With Macbeth being a general in the Scottish military, he had major influences on people and their daily lives. After the murder of King Duncan, Banquo’s suspicion of who committed the murders arose around a single suspect, Macbeth. Knowing that Banquo most likely knew the truth that Macbeth killed King Duncan, Macbeth went back to his evil ways with ease. Through his attendant, Macbeth summons three murderers. Shakespeare introduces the murders with stage direction “[Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers]” (Shakespeare, 363), in which Macbeth he uses Banquo as bait in order to gain their graces and loyalty “That it was he in the times past which held you so under fortune, which you thought had been our innocent self: this I made good to you in our last conference, pass'd in probation with you, how you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments, who wrought with them, and all things else that might, so half a soul and to a notion crazed, Say 'Thus did Banquo.'”

    Read More

  • Lady Macbeth And Banquo's Murder

    169 Words  | 1 Pages

    The problem is Banquo is invisible to everyone else. Lady Macbeth says that he sees things and that they should just ignore him. She asks Macbeth what the matter is and asks him to snap out of it. Banquo’s ghost vanishes, and Macbeth tells his company not to worry. He is about to toast

    Read More

  • Lady Macbeth Quotes

    679 Words  | 3 Pages

    First, Macbeth expresses fear when it comes to Banquo’s prophecy. “Then, prophet-like, they hailed him father to a line of kings. Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, and put a barren scepter in my gripe, thence to be wretched with an unlineal hand, no son of mine succeeding” (Shakespeare 3. 1. 57-61). This shows that in Banquo’s prophecy he will heir kings and Macbeth will not. This proves that Macbeth killed Duncan for no reason and Banquo is making him look like a fool for doing so.

    Read More

  • Ultimate Control In Macbeth

    396 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Macbeth- who may I rather challenge for unkindness than for mischance?” (2.3.44-45). Macbeth this is about a man who wanted to be in power and would do any wrong deed to get there. With the help of the Weird Sisters and his wife the murder spree began than ending with Macbeths head decapitated by a foe named Macduff. Although Lady Macbeth convinces her husband to follow the prophecies and Macbeth’s loyalty to his wife destroys his thoughts, the Weird Sisters hold ultimate control when they predict his coming title.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Corruption Quotes Analysis

    590 Words  | 3 Pages

    They prophesied that he would be king "All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be King hereafter" (I, 3, 50). Macbeth begins to think about killing Duncan and taking the throne by force. Readers can interpret that he is thinking about murdering Duncan from the quote, "Stars, hide your fires, /Let not light see my black and deep desires;" (1.5.50-51). After the deed is done, Macbeth feels as if he needs to kill Banquo.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Manipulation In Macbeth

    1051 Words  | 5 Pages

    Being that Banquo seemed suspicious of Macbeth subsequently the night of the king 's death. Apprehensive of his throne Macbeth would do anything in his power to prevent even the slightest chance for anyone to take the throne from him.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Foils In Macbeth

    2055 Words  | 9 Pages

    (2.1.4-5). Banquo, although experiencing the same things as Macbeth and generally possessing the same characteristics of Macbeth has more control and restriction on his mind and actions than Macbeth does. Macbeth, being Banquo’s friend, eventually sees him as a threat to his mission and kills him off.

    Read More

  • Banquo's Foil In Macbeth

    736 Words  | 3 Pages

    He reveals that he is not strong minded and is easily influenced by those around him. It is through Banquo that one can actually identify Macbeth with these traits. If it were not for Banquo’s calm and responsible reaction to the foretelling, it would be difficult to hold Macbeth on a basis on the appropriate way to respond to the situation. Banquo is not after sole success, and still considers himself successful even with his sons being heirs to the kingdom. With this genuine appreciation, we are able to view Macbeth as a greedy and irrational character.

    Read More

  • Honor And Loyalty In Macbeth

    672 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare set in Scotland about a murderous and vehement king who spirals on a path of destruction as he suffers from the consequences of determining his own fate. The predominant theme portrayed throughout the play is honor vs. loyalty. This is represented through the identification, actions, and quotes of numerous characters. To introduce the theme of honor vs. disloyalty, the characters Banquo and Macbeth exemplify traits that are equivalent with the moral of the story.

    Read More

  • Ambition For Power In Macbeth

    935 Words  | 4 Pages

    Macbeth feels his destiny is to murder King Duncan and become the King of Scotland, which is why Macbeth promises Lady Macbeth achieve his destiny. Therefore, Macbeth’s ambition for power leads to the death of King Duncan. Moreover, Macbeth’s ambition for power triggers the massacre the ones who impede him from his pathway to the Scottish Throne. First, Macbeth has murderers kill Banquo to avoid obstructions in his plan to become the King of Scotland. Macbeth tells the three murderers hired: “…

    Read More

  • Macbeth Act 3 Scene 1 Soliloquy Analysis

    527 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 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).

    Read More

  • Examples Of Internal Struggle In Macbeth

    1009 Words  | 5 Pages

    An internal struggle is a “psychological struggle within the mind of a literary or dramatic character, the resolution of which creates the plot 's suspense” (dictionary.refrence.com). In the drama Macbeth by William Shakespeare one could go as far as saying that the internal struggle of the main character is the base of the plot itself. The entire drama revolves around the facets of Macbeth’s internal struggle and the actions which he takes as a result of this. Catalysed by low self esteem a struggle begins in which Macbeth seeks to be admired by attempting to take power in ways which conflict with conscience. This struggle is manifold and complex but for the purpose of analysis can be divided into three governing factors.

    Read More

  • Macbeth And Banquo Comparison

    653 Words  | 3 Pages

    However, Banquo resists temptation to give in to his darker side, highlighting two diverging paths a person can pursue while following free will. In Macbeth, Banquo and Macbeth are both noble men receive two similar prophecies, but Macbeth takes a nefarious path and falls from grace, unlike Banquo, who remains moral, illustrating the two paths that free will can result in. Both

    Read More

  • Essay On Banquo Is More Important To The Play Dead In Macbeth

    1257 Words  | 6 Pages

    Macbeth - Discovery beyond the script - Individual critical response Anneli Tan Banquo is equally important to the play dead as he is alive. Discuss. Banquo is a brave, noble and loyal general, who fights beside his fellow general, Macbeth, to protect his King, Duncan, and his people. He is a man who keeps his promise and does not betray trust given to him. His close relationship with Macbeth and King Duncan and his encounter with the three witches prove to be important in the course of the play and gives us insight on how he is important dead as he is alive.

    Read More

More about Macbeth And Banquo Comparison Essay

Open Document