Comparison Between Macbeth and Banquo's Response to the Witch's Prophecies
Macbeth and Banquo’s reaction to the prophecy told to them by the witch’s gave way for two opposing opinions on both the validity and manifesting of the prophecy. Although their opinions throughout the unveiling of the prophecy were opposing throughout, at all times they both rendered the prophecy in contrastive ways, whether they contemplated on its benefit or hindrance towards their gleaming future.
“All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” Great fear was shown on Macbeth’s face suggesting he was very hesitant toward the idea of him becoming King. However Banquo was much more optimistic about the words of the witch’s, questioning Macbeth, “why do you start and seem to fear things that do sound so fair?” Macbeth is still in shock which gives time for Banquo to question the witch’s about his future. He became quite intrigued by what the witch’s had told Macbeth so he could not withhold the opportunity to be acquainted with his children’s faith and discover “which grain will grow and which will not”. Banquo seemed to be quite optimistic in his willingness to indulge in the witch’s prophecies. “Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more!” This portrays to us that Macbeth has now become fond of the prophecy and is thirsts to know more about his future. As Macbeth continues to cry out for the witch’s return after their abrupt disappearing, he cries out “Would they had stayed!” It now becomes apparent that Macbeth is engulfed in what the witches have told both him and Banquo. Suddenly Banquo begins to revisit the whole situation and begins to speculate if the entire ordeal actually occurred. “ Or have we eaten on the insane root that takes the reason prisoner?” he continues to question the possibility that they could be hallucinating. This is the beginning of Banquo’s now hesitance towards indulging in the witch’s prophecies, and Macbeth’s now apparent obsession with the witch’s prophecy. Macbeth attempts to persuade Banquo by regurgitating the witch’s
“All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” Great fear was shown on Macbeth’s face suggesting he was very hesitant toward the idea of him becoming King. However Banquo was much more optimistic about the words of the witch’s, questioning Macbeth, “why do you start and seem to fear things that do sound so fair?” Macbeth is still in shock which gives time for Banquo to question the witch’s about his future. He became quite intrigued by what the witch’s had told Macbeth so he could not withhold the opportunity to be acquainted with his children’s faith and discover “which grain will grow and which will not”. Banquo seemed to be quite optimistic in his willingness to indulge in the witch’s prophecies. “Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more!” This portrays to us that Macbeth has now become fond of the prophecy and is thirsts to know more about his future. As Macbeth continues to cry out for the witch’s return after their abrupt disappearing, he cries out “Would they had stayed!” It now becomes apparent that Macbeth is engulfed in what the witches have told both him and Banquo. Suddenly Banquo begins to revisit the whole situation and begins to speculate if the entire ordeal actually occurred. “ Or have we eaten on the insane root that takes the reason prisoner?” he continues to question the possibility that they could be hallucinating. This is the beginning of Banquo’s now hesitance towards indulging in the witch’s prophecies, and Macbeth’s now apparent obsession with the witch’s prophecy. Macbeth attempts to persuade Banquo by regurgitating the witch’s