Banquo Flashcards
How does Banquo juxtapose Macbeth?
Banquo is a morally strong character and virtuous unlike Macbeth who is a morally evil and wrong individual
What is the main message from Shakespeare about Banquo?
He is faced with temptation and ambition but resists it as it isnt his hamartia however, he doesn’t speak up about corruption and injustice because he may be tempted by being ‘the root and father of many kings’, secretly he may want this to come true
What is the context behind Banquo?
To a religious audience he would be seen as a moral suprerior and like Jesus in comparison to Macbeth being like the devil, he says ‘can the devil speak true’ which wouldve fit with King James view on Daemonologie
How is Banquo shown as strategic?
He is referred to constantly as ‘noble Banquo’ ‘worthy banquo’, he also has an allegiance to the past king, He speaks in terms of buisness ‘my allegiance’ he is carefully choosing non-committal language so he can reserve his judgement for the side that best suits him
What are the biblical connotation to Jesus from Banquo?
He confesses to dreaming ‘of the three weird sisters’ instead of hiding it, showing Jesus was tempted 3 times by the devil and resisted just like Banquo did with the 3 prophocies.
‘our harm the instruments of darkness’
‘our harm’ banquo is aware the witches are dangerous- fitting with James I view on witches
‘instruments’ they are used by higher forces
‘darkness’= evil, everything bad that happens in the play happens at night
later refer to ‘our masters’
instruments= medical, they are surgically removing the good from Macbeth
‘lesser
