banquo

• keywords:

  • Pious (very religious), conflicted, humble, emblematic of Jesus, confessions.
• Throughout the play, Shakespeare makes use of Banquo's character to deliver a clear message about the importance of resisting evil; though it may be a struggle, Shakespeare advocates turning to God for support.

  • This internal struggle Banquo experiences emphasizes his humanity and allows the audience to connect with his character on a more personal level.
• The first time we see Banquo's religious nature come to light is in Act 1, Scene 3, "If you can look into the seeds of time, // And say which grain will grow and which will not, // Speak then to me".

  • In this instance, we see a skeptical Banquo use his religion to try and understand the witches' prophecies.
• Banquo: Act 1, Scene 3, "If you can look into the seeds of time, // And say which grain will grow and which will not, // Speak then to me".

  • In the bible, Ecclesiastes 11.6, it says "Sow your seed in the morning".
  • The natural imagery is parallel to the bible; thus Banquo seeks solace in biblical teachings - using these to protect himself from supernatural, malevolent forces.
• Banquo: Act 1, Scene 3, "If you can look into the seeds of time, // And say which grain will grow and which will not, // Speak then to me".

  • A natural semantic field is established with "seeds" and "grains will grow".
  • This reinforces how Banquo remains obedient to the natural order and God - he does not try altering his position akin to Macbeth.
• Arguably, Banquo is emblematic of Jesus as he confesses his temptation, Banquo claims that heaven's "candles are all out", in reference to the lack of stars in the sky.

  • Banquo seeks solace from heaven.
• Macbeth tries to hide this, as opposed to confessing: "Stars hide your fires", this motif of stars exposes Macbeth and Banquo as diametrically opposed in their aspirations:

  • Macbeth wants to hide his malicious intentions from God.
  • Whereas Banquo wants to confess his temptations to be set free of them.
• Through resisting the Witches' temptation, Banquo parallels Jesus, who was tempted by the devil.
• Banquo's noble nature is explored in a few different ways throughout the play, with Shakespeare emphasising his honorable and virtuous characteristics.

  • Through the struggles of temptation, ultimately Banquo makes the noble choice, leaving his best friend to fend for himself and instead remaining loyal to the crown.
• Banquo has the same initial reaction to the witches' prophecy as Macbeth, but his morality takes over, and he exclaims "Restrain in me the cursed thoughts".

  • Clearly, Banquo understands the ludicrousness of plotting to kill the king based on the unsubstantiated prophecies of supernatural beings.
• Even after Banquo is murdered, the theme of the supernatural continues to tie him and Macbeth together.

  • In Act 3, Scene 4, Banquo's ghost shows up at Macbeth's banquet, destroying Macbeth's dignified image and forcing him to exclaim "Quit my sigt".
  • Banquo and Macbeth are connected as a result of their interaction with the supernatural, and this eventually starts the process of unraveling Macbeth's mind.
• "I dream'd of the three weird sisters last night"

  Banquo is in contrast to Macbeth, who claims "I think not of them" (the witches).

  • Banquo is honest, characterising him as moral in order to amplify Macbeth's dishonesty and deception.
• Banquo is described to have a "royalty of nature", emphasising his noble and majestic nature.

  • This idea is compounded shortly after when Macbeth describes him as "wis[e]", implying a rational and intelligent character.
• Macbeth was initially presented as "worthy", however, regresses into a "hell-hound".

  • Both characters begin noble, therefore Shakespeare explores the disadvantageous effects of losing sight of morality and being preoccupied with belligerence (aggressive or war-like behaviour).
• Banquo's noble and caring attitude shines throughout, most strongly in Act 3, Scene 3 just before he is killed, when he tells Fleance "Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!".

  • Banquo knows he will not survive the ambush, so he implores him to run, aware that if he is being targeted, Fleance likely is as well.
• As envy is one of the seven deadly sins, a cardinal sin, Banquo is used by Shakespeare to explore the detrimental effects of envy and unchecked ambition.

  • Macbeth's envy of Banquo's ability to restrain himself is clear: "He hath wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety" (About Banquo from Macbeth).
• Banquo is a foil to Macbeth as Macbeth embodies reckless power, whereas:

  • Banquo has self-restraint and control.
  • Macbeth is envious (seven deadly sins) of Banquo's ability to restrain his ambition from over-indulgence into "deep-desires".
• Macbeth's envy of Banquo's ability to restrain himself is clear: "He hath wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety"

  • The diction on "guide" connotates "leading".
  • This exposes how Macbeth has aimed to control, guide and lead his ambition, however, has become weak to its powerful force - Banquo is able to lead and guide himself away from sin.
• Banquo's ambivalent presentation is the antithesis of Macbeth's blood thirsty depiction.
• In Act 1, Scene 3 - Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches for the first time.

  • Banquo perceives their overt evil and dehumanises them in his description "look not like th'inhabitants o'th'Earth".
• The witches' physiognomy (when appearances are reflective of their true character) exposes them as inhumane and evil.

  • Banquo is portrayed as perceptive as it was believed he was an ancestor of James I, therefore this is a form of indirect flattery.