Editor's Choice
Which quote best describes the characters of Macbeth and Banquo in Macbeth?
Quick answer:
Another quote one could use that accurately sums up Macbeth’s character comes in act 5, scene 5. Macbeth is ruminating on life when he says, "It is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury,Signifying nothing (5.5.26–28). The reason this quote sums up Macbeth is because it tells readers his philosophy. At this point in the play, Macbeth seems to realize all the destruction that his actions have wrought. He has reached the conclusion that life is meaningless, and I think this is an important realization.
Another quote one could use that accurately sums up Macbeth’s character comes in act 5, scene 5. Macbeth is ruminating on life when he says,
It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing (5.5.26–28).
The reason this quote sums up Macbeth is because it tells readers his philosophy. At this point in the play, Macbeth seems to realize all the destruction that his actions have wrought. He has reached the conclusion that life is meaningless, and I think this is an important realization.
For Banquo, a quote that best summarizes his essence comes in act 3, scene 1:
Why, by the verities on thee made good,
May they not be my oracles as well,
And set me up in hope? But hush, no more (3.1.8–10).
This quote shows that Banquo is just as ambitious as Macbeth and that he hopes...
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that the “weird sisters’” prophecy about him also comes true. The key difference, of course, is that Banquo hasn’t murdered anyone. Despite this, he seems unwilling to tell anyone that he suspects Macbeth is behindDuncan’s assassination, because Banquo wants his own fortune to come true. This reveals that Banquo is not as much of a moral figure as readers might have previously thought.
One has many different choices when choosing a quote from Macbeth which speaks to the characters of both Macbeth and Banquo.
Macbeth- "Let not light see my black and deep desires" (I,iv).
Here, Shakespeare offers readers a very direct characterization of Macbeth. Readers do not have to infer or guess what type of person he is. Instead, Macbeth openly admits that he is a bad person (on the inside). Over the course of the play, Macbeth proves, time and time again, that he is not a good person.
Banquo- "A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, and yet I would not sleep" (II,i).
Here, Shakespeare indirectly characterizes Banquo. While not being direct
about his character, readers can infer that Banquo is a good person at heart
given that he cannot sleep because of the things which cause him anguish (worry
about Macbeth, his sons, and the future of the kingdom).