Macbeth
Caytlin McBride
Banquo the Bestie
Banquo's role in Macbeth is he is Macbeth's conspirator. In the play he is depicted as Macbeth's rival; the role of fellow plotter passes to Lady Macbeth. Banquo is open to human yearnings and desires. He is just as keen to hear what the witches have to say. He can not sleep because he is having dreams of the witches. In his soliloquy shows more than a hint of resentment and, possibly, of the same naked ambition that leads Macbeth astray. Banquo is a sympathetic figure for several reasons. He is ignorant of what the audience knows concerning the murder of the king and of his own impending doom. He is also a father who's relationship with his son is an affectionate one.
Banquo Will Not Bow To Loyalty
"So I lose none in seeking to augment it, but still keep my bosom franchis'd and allegiance clear, I shall be counsell'd" (1.2) This is meaning that Banquo will not compromise to his loyalty to the king for personal gain. Ironic because the audience is aware that Macbeth is about to commit regicide.
Banquo's Bravery
"'tis much he dares; And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety. There is none but he whose being i do fear: and, under him, my genius is rebuked" (3.1.55-61). In other words, Macbeth admires Banquo's bravery, but fears his wisdom. Banquo would stand up for Macbeth in a time of need.
Macbeth Needs Banquo
"What are these so wither'd and so wild in their attire, that look not like the inhabitants o' the earth, and yet are on't? Live you? Or are you aught that man may question? You seem to understand me, by each at once her chappy finger upon her skinny lips: you should be women, and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so" (1.3.40-49). Basically Banquo is the one who says that the witches are tricking Macbeth and Macbeth wouldn't have known if Banquo wasn't there when Macbeth was.
Macbeth's Downfall
The downfall of Macbeth would be caused because of his wife Lady Macbeth, she is the one who brought out the inner anger from Macbeth. Lady Macbeth caused Macbeth's inner rage, greed, and anger. Lady Macbeth persuaded him into it, even though Macbeth didn't want to kill Duncan. When the prophecies were made, Macbeth didn't know what to think of them. Lady Macbeth had to get Macbeth to fulfill these prophecies, so Macbeth could be King of Scotland. Lady Macbeth is quite good at manipulating people and that's what she tries to do with Macbeth, she does everything in her power. The way she tries to get him to do it is by calling him all these names and thinking that maybe if she called him these names that he would kill Duncan. She would call him a coward, and that he isn't a real man. She thinks she knows what he truly wants, so she tries to tell him what he truly wants to get him to do it. Eventually, Macbeth gives in to her and kills Duncan, but after it happened, Macbeth instantly wishes that he could go back and not do it, but the voice of his wife overthrew him. Macbeth becomes angry at everyone in Scotland and especially his wife because she was the one who talked him into it. Macbeth then, became absolutely obsessed with the prophecies and killing everyone who was standing in his way. Macbeth turned to the bad side only because Lady Macbeth made him like this and he can't take back what he has done. Macbeth thought he had to do whatever he had to do to keep being the King of Scotland.
Lady Macbeth's Manipulation
"When you durst do it, then you were a man: and to be more then what you were you would be so much more than the man" (1.7.49-51). Lady Macbeth has challenged his manhood and his love for her, he would have not usurped the throne and she would not have become queen. She did not only get him to start thinking about the murder, but she knew what to say after he had started thinking about the murder.
Macbeth's Thoughts Are Not Safe
"The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step on which I must fall down, or else o'er-leap, for in my way it lies" (1.4.49-51). These are Macbeth's first thoughts and he would do anything to be the king. His future had already been revealed by the three witches, he never thought he would have bad thoughts about the future king. Macbeth was being very ambitious because he never thought he could become king.
Macbeth Is Too Kind
Lady Macbeth fears that Macbeth is too full of "th' milk of human kindness" (1.5.15). Macbeth takes the necessary steps to become king. Lady Macbeth resolves to to convince her husband to whatever is required to seize the crown.
Literary Devices And Quotes
Hyperbole- Washing Hands With Neptune
"Will all great Neptune's oceans was this blood clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather. The multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red" Macbeth is saying that there is enough blood on his hand to turn the ocean red. This shows how much guilt and horror he feels after killing Duncan.
Imagery- Lightning & Thunder
"Fair is foul and foul is fair, hover through the fog and filthy air" Talking about the weather outside and that its bad weather with the thunder and lightning.
Foreshadowing- Something's Coming
"By pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes" This quote is meaning that one of the witches will be coming after something happens that is involving blood.
"The Oresteia" By: Robert Fagles
This book resembles Macbeth because it is about a guy named Aeschylus and he chooses a subject on the bloody chain of murder and revenge within the royal family of Argos. That reminds me of Macbeth because it is about getting revenge and Macbeth wanted to get revenge on the people that stood in his way. This book is about something bloody and it gets pretty bloody in Macbeth, because Macbeth murders Duncan and in this book, this poor family is getting killed. A quote from the book The Oresteia is
"Oh, the torment bred in the race,
the grinding scream of death
and the stroke that hits the vein,
the hemorrhage none can staunch, the grief,
the curse no man can bear.
But there is a cure in the house, and not outside it, no,
not from others but from them,
their bloody strife. We sing to you,
dark gods beneath the earth.
Now hear, you blissful powers underground --
answer the call, send help.
Bless the children, give them triumph now" (Fagles).