Banquo 2

Macbeth and Banquo's Friendship

Banquo is Macbeth's close friend and ally at the start. But by Act 2, their friendship is already questionable. They begin to have opposing views about the witches.

‘Thou hast it now'

‘Thou hast it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, / As the weird women promis’d, and I fear / Thou played’st most foully for’t’ (3,1).
After Macbeth has been crowned king, Banquo suspects that he has gained the title through doing something bad.
This quote suggests that he suspects Macbeth of murdering King Duncan.

Illustrative background for <b>‘Chief guest’</b> (3,1)

Illustrative background for <b>‘Chief guest’</b> (3,1) ?? "content

‘Chief guest’ (3,1)

This is how Macbeth welcomes Banquo to the celebrations. - All this praise is false. Macbeth actually plans to have Banquo murdered.
Although Banquo suspects that Macbeth has done something bad to gain the throne, he still seems to trust his friend. He does not seem to suspect that his own life is at stake.

'Royalty of nature'

'Royalty of nature' and 'wisdom' (3,1)
These are words used by Macbeth to describe Banquo. Macbeth fears Banquo. He says that Banquo is a good and clever man. This suggests he will see him as a real threat to his crown later on.
Macbeth doesn’t want Banquo’s sons to benefit from his crimes (by becoming kings).

Key Quotes from Banquo - Act 1, Scene 3

‘Can the devil speak true?’

‘What, can the devil speak true?’
This suggests that he knows that supernatural things (e.g. the witches) are evil, and so is surprised that such evil forces are able to tell the truth.
Before this moment, he had almost dismissed their claims as lies.
This revelation (that one of their prophecies was true) opens possibilities to Macbeth – he starts to consider their claim that he actually could be the king one day.
Is this moment the start of his downfall?

'Instruments of darkness'

‘Oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths’.
Macbeth speaks to Banquo and asks him whether he now hopes that his children might become kings. Banquo seems to be cautious.
The metaphor here suggests that he thinks the witches might be evil, and that they might be using their ability to see the future to hurt Macbeth and Banquo.
He is less willing to believe their prophecies, viewing them as evil creatures with dark intentions.

1Literary & Cultural Context

1.1Context

1.1.1Tragedy

1.1.2The Supernatural & Gender

1.1.3Politics & Monarchy

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context

2Plot Summary

2.1Act 1

2.1.1Scenes 1 & 2

2.1.2Scene 3

2.1.3Scenes 4-5

2.1.4Scenes 6-7

2.1.5End of Topic Test - Act 1

2.2Acts 2-4

2.2.1Act 2

2.2.2Act 3

2.2.3Act 4

2.3Act 5

2.3.1Scenes 1-3

2.3.2Scenes 4-9

2.3.3End of Topic Test - Acts 2-5

2.3.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ambiguous Ending

2.3.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Jacobean

3Characters

4Themes

4.1Themes

4.1.1Power & Ambition

4.1.2Power & Ambition HyperLearning

4.1.3Violence

4.1.4The Supernatural

4.1.5Masculinity

4.1.6Armour, Kingship & The Natural Order

4.1.7Appearances & Deception

4.1.8Madness & Blood

4.1.9Women, Children & Sleep

4.1.10End of Topic Test - Themes

4.1.11End of Topic Test - Themes 2

4.2Grade 9 - Themes

4.2.1Grade 9 - Themes

4.2.2Extract Analysis

5Writer's Techniques

5.1Structure, Meter & Other Literary Techniques

5.1.1Structure, Meter & Dramatic Irony

5.1.2Pathetic Fallacy & Symbolism

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Writer's Techniques

6Recap: Main Quotes

6.1Characters Quotes

6.1.1Macbeth

6.1.2Macbeth 2

6.1.3Macbeth 3

6.1.4Macbeth 4

6.1.5Lady Macbeth

6.1.6Lady Macbeth 2

6.1.7Banquo

6.1.8Banquo 2

6.1.9The Witches

6.1.10King Duncan

6.1.11Macduff

6.2Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Violence

6.2.2The Supernatural

6.2.3Ambition

6.2.4Armour, Kingship & the Natural Order

6.2.5Appearances & Deception

6.2.6Lady Macbeth's Masculinity

6.2.7Madness & Blood

6.2.8Men, Children & Sleep

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