Wednesday, December 9, 2015

How does Shakespeare portray Banquo as a good man and good father?

In Macbeth, Banquo and Macbeth begin as friends. At the very beginning of the play, Banquo and Macbeth are together when the witches approach them and share the prophecy. After the witches give their prophecy, Macbeth becomes consumed with ambition. However, Banquo does not. He simply says,



But ’tis strange.
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. (Act 1 Scene 3)



In this quotation, Banquo is saying that he thinks this prophecy is strange and that oftentimes the workers of darkness tell people part of the truth in order to cause their downfall. This instance in the play shows that Banquo is a good person because he is not buying into a tale of "truth" from the workers of darkness. In addition to being a good man, Banquo is also considered a good father. As the play proceeds, Banquo and Macbeth go from being friends to enemies. Macbeth actually orders Banquo and his son Fleance to be killed. In this scene, readers can see the love that Banquo has for his son. He says, "O treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou may’st revenge—O slave!" (Act 3 Scene 3). This quotation showcases the love the Banquo has for his son. He is telling Fleance to run as far and as fast as he can away from these murderers. In the play, Banquo does not fall prey to the witches' lies, and he desperately wants what is best for his son, making him a good person and father.   

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