Banqou Flashcards
(8 cards)
‘Oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths’ (1,3).
This quote suggests that Banquo doesn`t know whether they should trust the witches. He fears that they may have made the prophecies to hurt Macbeth.
Jacobean audiences feared the supernatural, and Banquo echoes this fear.
‘May they not be my oracles as well / And set me up in hope?’ (3,1)
his quote indicates that Banquo hopes that the witches’ prophecies (predictions) will come true for him. However, he does not show any desire to force them.
‘Thou canst not say I did it; never shake / Thy gory locks at me!’
From Macbeth’s words, we can work out that the ghost is shaking his head at Macbeth.
Royalty of nature’ and ‘wisdom’ (3,1)
These are words used by Macbeth to describe Banquo. Macbeth fears Banquo. He says that Banquo is a good and clever man. This suggests he will see him as a real threat to his crown later on.
Thou hast it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, / As the weird women promis’d, and I fear / Thou played’st most foully for’t’ (3,1).
After Macbeth has been crowned king, Banquo suspects that he has gained the title through doing something bad.
This quote suggests that he suspects Macbeth of murdering King Duncan.
‘Chief guest’ (3,1)
This is how Macbeth welcomes Banquo to the celebrations. - All this praise is false. Macbeth actually plans to have Banquo murdered.
Although Banquo suspects that Macbeth has done something bad to gain the throne, he still seems to trust his friend. He does not seem to suspect that his own life is at stake.
What, can the devil speak true?’
This suggests that he knows that supernatural things (e.g. the witches) are evil, and so is surprised that such evil forces are able to tell the truth.
‘Oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths’.
Macbeth speaks to Banquo and asks him whether he now hopes that his children might become kings. Banquo seems to be cautious.
The metaphor here suggests that he thinks the witches might be evil, and that they might be using their ability to see the future to hurt Macbeth and Banquo.
