6.1.7

Banquo

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Banquo - Distrusts the Supernatural

Banquo distrusts the witches and doesn't try to tempt fate.

<b>‘The instruments of darkness'

‘The instruments of darkness'

  • ‘Oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths’ (1,3).
  • This quote suggests that Banquo doesn`t know whether they should trust the witches. He fears that they may have made the prophecies to hurt Macbeth.
  • Jacobean audiences feared the supernatural, and Banquo echoes this fear. He does not allow them to manipulate him, and does not show a lot of interest in the prophecies. Because of this, Banquo is percieved as a good, God-fearing character.
<b>‘My oracles as well'

‘My oracles as well'

  • ‘May they not be my oracles as well / And set me up in hope?’ (3,1)
  • This quote indicates that Banquo hopes that the witches’ prophecies (predictions) will come true for him. However, he does not show any desire to force them.
  • He does not really engage in the supernatural.

Banquo's Ghost

In Act 3, Scene 4 Banquo’s ghost appears to Macbeth. We don’t know whether this is real or something Macbeth imagines. The ghost appears in the seat where Macbeth should be sitting.

<b>'Thy gory locks'

'Thy gory locks'

  • ‘Thou canst not say I did it; never shake / Thy gory locks at me!’
  • From Macbeth’s words, we can work out that the ghost is shaking his head at Macbeth.
  • The ghost seems to be accusing him.
  • We could suggest that Banquo’s ghost shakes his head at Macbeth because he knows that Macbeth will not secure his position as king by murdering him.
Jump to other topics
1

Literary & Cultural Context

1.1

Context

1.1.1Tragedy1.1.2The Supernatural & Gender1.1.3Politics & Monarchy1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context
2

Plot Summary

2.1

Act 1

2.1.1Scenes 1 & 22.1.2Scene 32.1.3Scenes 4-52.1.4Scenes 6-72.1.5End of Topic Test - Act 1
2.2

Acts 2-4

2.2.1Act 22.2.2Act 32.2.3Act 4
2.3

Act 5

2.3.1Scenes 1-32.3.2Scenes 4-82.3.3End of Topic Test - Acts 2-52.3.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ambiguous Ending2.3.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Jacobean
3

Characters

3.1

Macbeth

3.1.1Hero vs Villain3.1.2Ambition & Fate3.1.3Relationship3.1.4Unstable3.1.5End of Topic Test - Macbeth3.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cowardice3.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Madness3.1.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Power
3.2

Lady Macbeth

3.2.1Masculine & Ruthless3.2.2Manipulative & Disturbed3.2.3Diagnostic Misconceptions - NOT a Man3.2.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Villain
3.3

Other Characters

3.3.1Banquo3.3.2The Witches3.3.3Exam-Style Questions - The Witches3.3.4King Duncan3.3.5Macduff3.3.6End of Topic Test - Lady Macbeth & Banquo3.3.7End of Topic Test - Witches, Duncan & Macduff3.3.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banquo
3.4

Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.4.1Grade 9 - Lady Macbeth Questions
4

Themes

4.1

Themes

4.1.1Power & Ambition4.1.2Power & Ambition HyperLearning4.1.3Violence4.1.4The Supernatural4.1.5Masculinity4.1.6Armour, Kingship & The Natural Order4.1.7Appearances & Deception4.1.8Madness & Blood4.1.9Women, Children & Sleep4.1.10End of Topic Test - Themes4.1.11End of Topic Test - Themes 2
4.2

Grade 9 - Themes

4.2.1Grade 9 - Themes4.2.2Extract Analysis
5

Writer's Techniques

5.1

Structure, Meter & Other Literary Techniques

5.1.1Structure, Meter & Dramatic Irony5.1.2Pathetic Fallacy & Symbolism5.1.3End of Topic Test - Writer's Techniques
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Characters Quotes

6.1.1Macbeth6.1.2Macbeth 26.1.3Macbeth 36.1.4Macbeth 46.1.5Lady Macbeth6.1.6Lady Macbeth 26.1.7Banquo6.1.8Banquo 26.1.9The Witches6.1.10King Duncan6.1.11Macduff
6.2

Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Violence6.2.2The Supernatural6.2.3Ambition6.2.4Armour, Kingship & the Natural Order6.2.5Appearances & Deception6.2.6Lady Macbeth's Masculinity6.2.7Madness & Blood6.2.8Men, Children & Sleep

Practice questions on Banquo

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What concern does Banquo express in this quote?<br><br><b>‘Oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths’</b>Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What does the following quote suggest about Banquo's ghost?<br><br><b>‘Thou canst not say I did it; never shake / Thy gory locks at me!’<b>Multiple choice
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Lady Macbeth 2

Banquo 2