Banqup

At the beginning of the play, Macbeth and Banquo appear to have a close relationship. This relationship displays their friendship, but also how they drift apart after hearing the prophecies. Macbeth is angered that Banquo’s son would inherit the crown, saying, “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown And put a barren scepter in my gripe,” .Macbeth knows he has to kill his friend to keep the crown but still he betrays Banquo’s trust and breaks their code of friendship.

The theme of ambition requires an essential contrast to the power-hungry Macbeth. The relationship between Macbeth and Banquo is one of friendship. They fight together and are honored together. Both men receive prophecies, but their lives conclude very differently.

This is the first difference in quality from both men. While one man, quite passively waited for the prophecy to be naturally fulfilled, the other, desperate for power, would attempt to become king at all expenses – whether that meant killing the king or even killing a friend. Their attitudes towards the witch’s prophecies are quite contrasting. Initially, Banquo questioned the sanity and reality of such figures and their prophecies. However, Macbeth is quick to accept these prophecies, and begin his quest to power. By this time one see a clear, acute contrast between Banquo and Macbeth. Skillfully Shakespeare uses them carefully as a contrast against each other. In general terms Banquo represents the good while Macbeth the evil. Banquo is shown to be honorable, loyal, honest and true, whereas Macbeth is treacherous, ruthless, scheming and cruel.

Further on the character of both men, we learn that Macbeth is dishonest. For example, Banquo approaches Macbeth in relation to the witches and insists that he has dreamt of them. Macbeth replies, “I think not of them”. This is an obvious lie, as there is no doubt that the witches, their prophecies and prospects of becoming future king would be smeared all over his mind. Yet he denies it.

Banquo’s passive personality blocks him from making his own decisions to fulfill the prophecies. The relationship betwe

Some topics in this essay:
Macbeth Banquo, Banquo Macbeth, Skillfully Shakespeare, Banquo Banquo’s, Appropriately Banquo's, Initially Banquo, macbeth banquo, Williams Shakespeare, , banquo macbeth, Unfortunately Macbeth, play macbeth, relationship macbeth, prophecies macbeth, banquo’s ghost, relationship macbeth banquo, prophecy banquo, free guilt,