Musa Dosunmu
2016-04-02
Rice, A.
ENG3UP-01
Shakespeare’s Macbeth was written during James I’s reign with him in mind as an audience member. James I was a strong believer in divine right and in this play Macbeth goes against this idea and to portray his as an even greater villain Banquo is used as a foil to accentuate all the qualities that would make him a bad king. When Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches in the first scene Banquo warns of their evil while Macbeth is ensnared by their prophecies, highlighting his gullibleness. Later, when the pair discuss the prophecies, Banquo outright swears his loyalty to his king in a scene very close to when Macbeth actually murderers Duncan, making this murder and Macbeth himself seem even more treacherous …show more content…
In Act 1, returning from a victorious battle, Banquo and Macbeth encounter the three weird sisters, changing their lives forever. The witches reveal their prophecies to the two, while Macbeth is ensared Banquo says:
That trusted home
Might yet enkindle you unto the crown,
Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But 'tis strange:
And oftentimes, to win us to our …show more content…
To draw attention to the bad qualities that make him unfit as king, the noble Banquo (who happens to be a relative of King James I) is used as a foil. When first confronted with the witches’ prophecies Banquo warns Macbeth of their evil though he is already ensnared, however this warning draws attention to Macbeth’s gullibleness. When the two discuss the prophecies in the next act, Banquo talks about his loyalty to Duncan and speaks of the importance of his honor right before Macbeth kills the king, making Macbeth appear even more vile. Even after he becomes king, Macbeth shows how unfit he is for the position by commenting how he fears Banquo because of his knowledge of the prophecies and virtue, demonstrating how he is so evil he fears the good of others. Banquo serves as a foil to Macbeth in terms of nobility and virtue, the former maintains honorable values during the play and does not give in to personal desires. These kingly qualities perfectly contrast Macbeth who in comparison is shown as unfit for the position and evil having gone against the will of divine right, and in that,
2016-04-02
Rice, A.
ENG3UP-01
Shakespeare’s Macbeth was written during James I’s reign with him in mind as an audience member. James I was a strong believer in divine right and in this play Macbeth goes against this idea and to portray his as an even greater villain Banquo is used as a foil to accentuate all the qualities that would make him a bad king. When Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches in the first scene Banquo warns of their evil while Macbeth is ensnared by their prophecies, highlighting his gullibleness. Later, when the pair discuss the prophecies, Banquo outright swears his loyalty to his king in a scene very close to when Macbeth actually murderers Duncan, making this murder and Macbeth himself seem even more treacherous …show more content…
In Act 1, returning from a victorious battle, Banquo and Macbeth encounter the three weird sisters, changing their lives forever. The witches reveal their prophecies to the two, while Macbeth is ensared Banquo says:
That trusted home
Might yet enkindle you unto the crown,
Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But 'tis strange:
And oftentimes, to win us to our …show more content…
To draw attention to the bad qualities that make him unfit as king, the noble Banquo (who happens to be a relative of King James I) is used as a foil. When first confronted with the witches’ prophecies Banquo warns Macbeth of their evil though he is already ensnared, however this warning draws attention to Macbeth’s gullibleness. When the two discuss the prophecies in the next act, Banquo talks about his loyalty to Duncan and speaks of the importance of his honor right before Macbeth kills the king, making Macbeth appear even more vile. Even after he becomes king, Macbeth shows how unfit he is for the position by commenting how he fears Banquo because of his knowledge of the prophecies and virtue, demonstrating how he is so evil he fears the good of others. Banquo serves as a foil to Macbeth in terms of nobility and virtue, the former maintains honorable values during the play and does not give in to personal desires. These kingly qualities perfectly contrast Macbeth who in comparison is shown as unfit for the position and evil having gone against the will of divine right, and in that,