Why Is Banquo Important In Macbeth
Macbeth Log #1
Analyses of Act 1 Scene 3 In the third scene of the first act of Macbeth, readers are introduced to three mysterious yet revelatious witches; they reveal to the main character as well his accomplice Banquo prophecies which are to be fulfilled. And presumably these prophecies may very well shape the play, as well as its characters and their personas. Of most importance some analyses of the three witches must be made in order to develop an understanding of the scene. Banquo, for one, questions whether the witches are "inhabitants o’ th’ earth” (1.3.39). The odd appearances of the witches are further reinforced when Banquo wonders whether they are really women, for they have long "beards," a characteristic that is unmistakable …show more content…
At first they refer to him as the "thane of Glamis," but referring to him as "thane of Cawdor" struck him like lightning, as the thane of Cawdor was living and healthy. Were they suggesting that the current thane was going to die? Were they suggesting that Macbeth was soon to be the thane? Inasmuch as Macbeth speculated, more news shook him like a rocking chair. They said he would soon be the king of Scotland. Just as Macbeth absorbed this information, they tell him that Banquo's descendants will be king of Scotland as well. How can all this be so? The news was unbelievable, but put Macbeth into a trace of fantasy after fantasy. And just as Macbeth pressed the mysterious figures for more information, they vanished without a trace. For these reasons it is undeniable that this scene of the play is integral to a reader's understanding. Aside from the odd prophecies which seem out of the blue, a commotion arises between Banquo and Macbeth, as the witches say that Banquo's kids, and not Macbeth's, will inherit the throne. What is a man to think when he finds out his friend's kids will inherit his very kingship? What internal conflicts will he face? How will their relationship deter over time? Does jealousy arise? Do plots of conquest race through a man's mind? How is Macbeth's ambition to taint his noble character? These are important questions which are to be answered as the play progresses. Furthermore, it lays the backdrops of certain themes which to be developed and
Analyses of Act 1 Scene 3 In the third scene of the first act of Macbeth, readers are introduced to three mysterious yet revelatious witches; they reveal to the main character as well his accomplice Banquo prophecies which are to be fulfilled. And presumably these prophecies may very well shape the play, as well as its characters and their personas. Of most importance some analyses of the three witches must be made in order to develop an understanding of the scene. Banquo, for one, questions whether the witches are "inhabitants o’ th’ earth” (1.3.39). The odd appearances of the witches are further reinforced when Banquo wonders whether they are really women, for they have long "beards," a characteristic that is unmistakable …show more content…
At first they refer to him as the "thane of Glamis," but referring to him as "thane of Cawdor" struck him like lightning, as the thane of Cawdor was living and healthy. Were they suggesting that the current thane was going to die? Were they suggesting that Macbeth was soon to be the thane? Inasmuch as Macbeth speculated, more news shook him like a rocking chair. They said he would soon be the king of Scotland. Just as Macbeth absorbed this information, they tell him that Banquo's descendants will be king of Scotland as well. How can all this be so? The news was unbelievable, but put Macbeth into a trace of fantasy after fantasy. And just as Macbeth pressed the mysterious figures for more information, they vanished without a trace. For these reasons it is undeniable that this scene of the play is integral to a reader's understanding. Aside from the odd prophecies which seem out of the blue, a commotion arises between Banquo and Macbeth, as the witches say that Banquo's kids, and not Macbeth's, will inherit the throne. What is a man to think when he finds out his friend's kids will inherit his very kingship? What internal conflicts will he face? How will their relationship deter over time? Does jealousy arise? Do plots of conquest race through a man's mind? How is Macbeth's ambition to taint his noble character? These are important questions which are to be answered as the play progresses. Furthermore, it lays the backdrops of certain themes which to be developed and