English lit paper 1

• banquos reaction to the witches

  His internal half rhyme in scene 3 suggests he’s intially more excited than Macbeth by the prophecies as he says ‘why do you start,and seem to fear/ things that do sound so fair’ this shows his curiousit’s
• Characteristics of banquo

  • Brave
  • Noble
  • Trustworthy
• Macbeth's shadow


  Banquo
• Banquo is loyal to King Duncan
• Banquo will be kings
• Banquo is parallel to Macbeth


  Banquo represents everything Macbeth wasn't
• Banquo was killed out of Jealousy
• In scene 3, Banquo is initially more excited than Macbeth by the witches' prophecies
• The witches describe Banquo as ‘lesser than Macbeth, and greater’
• The witches' prophecy that Banquo 'shalt get kings, though thou be none' upsets Macbeth
• Banquo is a roadblock in Macbeth's ambition to be king, ultimately causing Macbeth to murder him
• Macbeth and Banquo are best friends yet parallel to one another
• When the prophecies start to become true, Banquo doesn't show jealousy or use deception, but is clearly disturbed
• Banquo refers to the witches as the 'Devil', believing they are pure evil and will lead Macbeth into Hell
• Banquo consistently warns Macbeth against the witches' temptation
• Banquo appeals to the good in Macbeth's nature, while Lady Macbeth appeals to the bad
• Banquo refers to the witches as 'instruments of darkness', suggesting they are orchestrating everything
• Banquo is aware there are consequences involved in the prophecies
• Duncan


  • Epitome of a good king
  • Moral
  • Virtuous
  • Graceful
  • Humble
• Duncan is the rightful king, with the divine right to be king
• Duncan is grateful to his subjects for their loyalty and resources
• Duncan recognises that good leadership means serving his country and not ruling with violence
• Duncan is the antithesis of Macbeth, who rules with tyranny and violence
• When Duncan is murdered, Scotland is thrown into unnatural chaos
• Duncan's downfall is that he is too trusting and believes he can see the mind's construction in the face
• Macbeth recognises Duncan's divine right to the crown
• Macbeth says the stab wounds looked like a breach of nature, suggesting he recognises the Chain of Being has been disrupted
• Ozymandias


  A story of the impermanence of power
• Ozymandias


  • Framed as an unreliable myth
  • Suggests the fragility of power
  • Uses cold, harsh language to show the leader's authority is over
• Ozymandias


  Parallels with London in exploring the futility of human-created structures
• Dharker's poem seems to respect and celebrate the 'miraculous' human optimism and courage of inhabitants of chaotic 'living' spaces
• Shelley's poem recognises the hubristic implication in the dictator's fallen statue
• Macduff


  • Symbolises ultimate loyalty
  • Antithesis of Macbeth
  • Righteous
  • Humble
  • Seeks justice
• Macduff is a focal point for Macbeth's rage and desire to protect his throne
• Macduff's destiny is to defeat Macbeth, as the witches prophesised
• Macduff's violence is for a justified cause, and he is confident in facing Macbeth
• Macduff's bravery exposes Macbeth's cowardice
• Macduff's reaction to Duncan's death shows his belief in the divine right of kings
• Macduff recognises Duncan as the true, divinely ordained king
• The hawk in 'Hawk Roosting' sees itself as the pinnacle of creation and superior to all else