Macbeth Group

Question:

bita
bita
Student
High School - 10th Grade

What kind of man is Banquo?

According to the Act 1 & 2.

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Posted by bita on Wednesday September 30, 2009 at 8:21 PM and tagged with banquo, character ( macbeth ), literature.

Answers:


  1. mstultz72 Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Banquo is a foil to Macbeth in the first two acts, and then Banquo becomes Macbeth's doppelganger thereafter. 

    Before we meet either one, we hear of their great exploits in battle against Norway.  Both are valiant and loyal thanes to Duncan.  Macbeth, however, is the more decorated, as he is named  Thane of Cawdor.

    Next, both thanes meet the witches and hear their prophecies.  Here's where they begin to differ.  Macbeth believes that the supernatural can offer truths, whereas Banquo is skeptical.  Banquo says:

    And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray's in deepest consequence.

    Lastly, Banquo is a family man; he has a son.  Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, as you know, are the antithesis of family.  Lady Macbeth says she would dash her baby's brains out to show Macbeth her courage.  Macbeth replies, "Bring forth men-children only." 

    For more information, follow the link below:

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

     

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

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    Posted by mstultz72 on Thursday October 1, 2009 at 4:56 AM