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banquo - Coggle Diagram
banquo
macbeths foil
they both have ambitious thoughts however banquo does not choose to act on them in the way macbeth does - demonstrates restraint & mans ability to resist temptation
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witches prophecies - macbeth is "rapt withal" and banquo "neither beg nor favour your fears nor your hate"
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banquos foil is emphasised by juxtaposition with Macbeths "lesser", "greater", "happier" and "not so happy"
banquo serves as macbeths antithesis - banquo is morally strong, virtuous and resists evil; macbeth is morally weak, innately flawed and gives into temptation
character in context
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church - banquo would have been seen by contemporary audience as moralistic character as his values were in line with the christian church
he calls upon god for help in resisting temptation - "merciful powers, restrain me in the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in repose"
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noble
shakespeare demonstrates banquos noble qualities and "royalty of nature" as he is literally royal in nature. it was prophesied that "thou shalt get kings"
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resistive to evil
banquos response separates him from macbeth - they are exposed to the same things. however banquo turns to god and doesn't act on his ambition as he recognises it as a force of evil
this is evident as he is suspicious from the beginning as he questions "are you aught that man may question?" - here he is recognising that the witches are untrustworthy
when he finds the prophecy is coming true, he asks "what, can the devil speak true?" and this implies them as agents of the devil - sees them for what they are.
aligned with jesus
banquo could be used by shakespeare to give a moral message to the audience about rejecting evil thoughts and the importance of turning to god in times of temptation.
banquo is not perfect and is tempted on some level by the witches prophecies however his ability to reject evil makes him a moral character.
he is less able to resist temptation when he sleeps, shown by the comment "i dream'd of the three weird sisters last night" (showing he subconsciously thinks of the witches prophecies)
but instead of trying to hide these feelings he confesses to god and asks for help in remaining moral and virtuous
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shakespeare uses metaphorical language and supernatural imagery as banquo proclaims "the earth hath bubbles" and questions "hath we eaten on this insane root?"
demonstrates how banquo works to distance himself from the witches whilst macbeth aligns himself with them
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"our fears in banquo/stick deep, and in his royalty of nature/reigns that would be feared"
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the two characters contrasting responses to the prophecies could be intentional on the witches part as macbeths names were first mentioned by them "there to meet with macbeth"
macbeth knows he is the focus of their intent and thus allows them to control him as he is aligned with and connected to them. whereas banquo could be less susceptible as the prophecies are not directly aimed at him
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