Macbeth Group

Question:

michelle-telford
michelle-tel...
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In Macbeth, how does Banquo explain Macbeth's distraction at the witches prediction? (1.3.144-146)

Is he distracted because he has Cawdor's garments, or has he other garments in mind?

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Posted by michelle-telford on Monday March 9, 2009 at 8:19 PM and tagged with banquo, cawdor, characters, distraction, entranced, figurative language, macbeth, prophesy, rapt, shakespeare, simile, weird sisters, witches.

Answers:

  1. ms-charleston-yawp
    ms-charleston-yawp Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The quotation you cite is a comparison to help the reader understand why Macbeth seems entranced.  Shakespeare actually uses figurative language in the form of the simile to make the comparison.  The quotation is as follows: 

    New honors come upon him, / Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mold / But with the aid of use. (1.3.143-146) 

    In other words, Banquo says that Macbeth is entranced by this new suggestion that he could be king just like new clothes distract us when we are not used to wearing them.  Clothes only become comfortable the longer they are used.  In this instance, side notes on Shakespearean language are quite helpful.  The word "strange" here really means "new" in Shakespeare's time.  Knowing that one definition in itself can help you understand this comparison even better.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/act-summary-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/banquo-character-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/macbeth-character-analysis

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    Posted by ms-charleston-yawp on Monday March 9, 2009 at 8:42 PM