Banquo And Free Will Analysis

1044 Words3 Pages

It has been said that one’s fate lies in one’s own hands; however, when one tries to use free will to rush this fate, the consequences are dire. In the tragedy, Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the character Banquo as a foil to Macbeth to highlight the differences in their personalities and actions. Banquo embodies the belief that fate should run its course; in this way, Banquo represents nature. On the other hand, Macbeth utilizes free will to try to rush time to reach his fate faster. These characteristics are displayed as Macbeth and Banquo hear their fates from the witches and act in response to those prophecies throughout the play. The distinct characteristics of the two demonstrate the clash between fate and free will throughout Macbeth. When …show more content…

Even Banquo’s “revenge” isn’t very subversive. Macbeth’s paranoia makes him believe that he must kill Banquo in order to stay king. He even convinces the murderers that Banquo is at fault for evil things. Before Macbeth has the murderers kill Banquo, Macbeth says, “We have scorched the snake, not killed it,/ She’ll close and be herself whilst our poor malice/ Remains in danger of her former tooth” (III. II. 93). Macbeth compares Banquo to a snake that must be killed so that Macbeth can stay safe. Comparing Banquo to a snake is another way of comparing him with nature. Macbeth must keep killing people because he has used free will to mess with fate, and he must continue killing to avoid facing the consequence of taking fate into his own hands. After Banquo is killed, Banquo’s ghost comes back to Macbeth. This makes Macbeth seem crazy in front of the Scottish lords. Perhaps, it was Banquo’s way to get a small revenge. As Macbeth betrays loyalty throughout these events, Banquo’s calm and rational actions are juxtaposed to Macbeth’s rash and aggressive ones. This helps to emphasize how free will can have consequences that fate and nature don’t

Show More
Related

  • Comparing Guilt In Macbeth And The Social Network

    1364 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the play Macbeth, Macbeth and Banquo are good friends, and even after hearing the prophecy told by the Three Witches, they only laugh and joke about their individual prophecies. It is only after Macbeth kills Duncan that the thought of having to kill Banquo in order to secure his place and his bloodline on the throne ever crosses his mind. After killing Duncan, Macbeth was initially struck by grief and remorse, but when it came to killing Banquo, Macbeth had shown no real signs of guilt for it (there is even speculation that the third, secret hitman was actually Macbeth himself!). After killing Banquo, Macbeth had visions of Banquo as a ghost, but no real signs of grief as he had with Duncan. He seems more troubled over the fact that the murderers he had hired hadn’t been able to kill Banquo’s son, Fleance.

    Read More

  • The Significance of Moral Ambiguity in Shakespeare's, Tragedy of MacBeth

    831 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...it by his wife, Macbeth is plagued with guilt when he sees Banquo’s apparition, and him being panic-stricken by the prophecy all exhibit the fallacy of Macbeth’s character. Were it not for the external factors that surround Macbeth within the play, then maybe there was a chance that he would have never committed the acts. “Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more” (5.5.26-29). Macbeth reflects on his exceedingly ambitious life and how it really had no meaning to the world. Because Macbeth never got to enjoy any of his accomplishments in life, Shakespeare proposes that it is far better to achieve your goals fairly rather than foully. Also, if Macbeth followed his ethical instinct the result would have never transgressed into his death, or perhaps it was just meant to be.

    Read More

  • The Roles of Greed and Pride in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    1287 Words  | 3 Pages

    Because of the witches’ prophecies, Lady Macbeth’s ambition and Macbeth’s greed, Macbeth diverges from his values and principles, corrupting him and ultimately leading to his downfall. Because of their greed and pride, the characters in the Tragedy of Macbeth end up not only losing everything that was important to them, but also the path on life they had tried so hard to stay on. Greed and pride shatters the fate that one would have had, whether fate is defined as where one would want to end up, or as where one will end up at.

    Read More

  • Macbeth's Corruption

    1293 Words  | 3 Pages

    After murdering Duncan, Macbeth feels that he needs to kill Banquo. He is afraid that Banquo is going to be a problem for him. He is suspicious that Banquo believes Macbeth had something to do with Duncan's murder, "Our fears in Banquo/ Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature/ Reigns that which would be feared" (3.1.47-49). He plans to kill him, though Banquo has made no direct threat against Macbeth. He speaks of feeling inferior to Banquo, even though he is king. "There is none but he/ Whose being I do fear; and under him/ My genius is rebuked" (3.1.53-55). Banquo is Macbeth's closest friend, he is starting to lose trust in everyone around him.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Despise Analysis

    864 Words  | 2 Pages

    Banquo and Macbeth have been brothers-in-arms for a very long time. Macbeth is hosting Banquo in his castle and the have a long talk one night as friends do. It is here that we admire Macbeth because Macbeth shows concern for his long-time friend. We can admire this because showing concern for is a good thing to do and we as viewers can stand by that. What happens later is when Macbeth becomes king by regicide and wants to secure his position. What makes us despise him is how he goes about securing his position. The only way he deems fit to do so is by killing his long-time friend, Banquo, Also there’s a bit of jealousy involved with this because Banquo’s future was also revealed by the Three Weird Sisters, that he would be the head to a long line of kings but won’t be one himself. Macbeth has decided off the top of his head to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance. We despise Macbeth at this point because Macbeth has almost like a two-faced personality, showing kindness and concern one moment then later having people hunt them down and kill them. Shakespeare presented us Macbeth b having us admire him and despise him by helping, then killing his best

    Read More

  • Macbeth: Fate vs Free Will

    1200 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fate vs Free Will is one of the most oft used literary techniques in writing. It is never more evident than in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. The major theme of the story Macbeth is whether or not the story is fueled by the free will of Macbeth, or by his fate. Are the events in Macbeth a result of his mentality and outlook on life, or were they going to happen no matter what? Almost every major event that takes place can be traced back to this question. It can be viewed in different ways, and most people have their own opinions. Dissecting this question is a part of what makes teaching Macbeth still have so much value to this day. But there is a clear answer to this question upon further dissection. The story of Macbeth is fueled by his free will, which he perceives to be a necessary part of achieving his fate.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Who Was Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall

    447 Words  | 1 Pages

    Banquo was a threat to him because he was witness when the witches told them the prophecy. Macbeth said, “He's also clever enough to act when the time’s right. He’s the only one I’m afraid of ”(p.51). In the beginning he was hesitant and didn’t want to kill, but now it seemed natural to him. Overtime, Macbeth’s personality slowly changed and is willing to dispose those who pose a threat to him. Macbeth said to his wife, “My dear wife, My mind’s full of scorpions! You know that Banquo and his son Fleance are alive.” Macbeth destroyed himself by his wicked and selfish ambitions. He let his greed lead him to

    Read More

  • Macbeth Blind Ambition Analysis

    1580 Words  | 4 Pages

    Macbeth’s ambition is to remain king for as long as possible and he will kill anybody who stops this from happening. Macbeth feels as if he was given a childless rule, and that his legacy will not continue on in fears his rule will be taken away by someone outside his family. Macbeth states, “For Banquo’s issue, I have filed my mind; For them the gracious Duncan have I murder 'd, put rancors in the vessel of my peace only for them, and mine eternal jewel given to the common enemy of man. to make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings”(Shakspeare 3.1.64-69). Macbeth had committed murder, poisoned his own mind, and destroyed his soul only to end up benefiting Banquo’s heirs. Macbeth, being the paranoid character that he is, feels threatened by this and orders both Banquo and Fleance to be killed. In Act 3, Macbeth says that, “and mine eternal jewel, given to the common enemy of man, to make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!” (Shakspeare 3.1.67-9). Seeing this choice of act, leads Macbeth’s blind ambition doing all he can, in order to remain where he is, even if he is ‘blind’ to what it going on and fails to truly understand the concept of his choices in killing Banquo, which only further deteriorates his mind because of his thirst for power, causing

    Read More

  • The Role of the Supernatural in Motivating Characters

    1274 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...gicality and eagerness which leads his arrogant action to result in his demise. Banquo is much more wary about the prophecies given to both Macbeth and Banquo that appear to be really good for both of them. Macbeth is motivated by the gratifying appearance of the prophecies to act upon the possibility of the prophecies coming true. This gives him a false sense of security because he is tempted with the fact that these prophecies could quite possibly be the truth. This is want ultimately gives Macbeth the motivation to execute his arrogant actions. He is under the impression that his actions could in no way fail because the supernatural tells him he will get the power he seeks.

    Read More

  • The Isolation of Macbeth

    1318 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...le Macbeth tells them that ‘every man be master of his time’ so that he can ‘keep alone’. By choosing to isolate himself and not inform Lady Macbeth of his plans to murder Banquo we see how Macbeth feels as if he can’t even trust his closest companions. After turning his back on Lady Macbeth, Macbeth becomes fixated not only on the prophecies of the witches but when he hints to Lady Macbeth that ‘a deed of dreadful note’ will fall upon Banquo and his son he talks like the witches. This shows how Macbeth has turned his back on seeking council from his lords and advisors and begins to act as a king who instead of rationally thinking things out, he chooses to justify his reasons on prophetic predictions from a world of sorcery.

    Read More

  • The Power of Fear in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    958 Words  | 2 Pages

    Here, Macbeth realizes that if something is not done to Banquo, his sons will become Kings.  Macbeth can not have this. He had already worried that his soul will go to hell for what he had done. His fear become evident in this scene also, "But to be safely thus: our fears in Banquo Stick deep;" [Act III, S I, L 53-54] Macbeth has Banquo murdered,

    Read More

  • Macbeth Free Will Quotes

    743 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the tragedy “Macbeth,” written by William Shakespeare, Macbeths free will is shown as he tries to take what is his. “Macbeth” is about a Scottish troop (Macbeth) and his friend Banquo. Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches whom tell them about a prophecy that involves Macbeth and Banquo’s son. One of the prophecies was that Macbeth would become king. The prophecy makes Macbeth’s mind corrupted making him pursue dark actions to overthrow King Duncan. Macbeth’s free will is exhibited by the way he has the inspiration to control what he does throughout the tragedy. People may say that it is fate because the prophecy states that Macbeth will be king, but it also states that Banquo’s sons will be kings in

    Read More

  • Macbeth Essay

    788 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the first act of Macbeth, Shakespeare clearly distinguishes the theme of morals, choosing whats right vs. choosing whats wrong, when he presents two main characters with a similar choice. The choice is presented by the witches when they tempt Macbeth (with Banquo as a witness), making both characters stand out to readers as a contrast of the other. The results of each of their fates are foreshadowed through the quote, “If you can look into the seeds of time and say which grain will grow and which will not...” (Shakespeare 11), in which Macbeth and Banquo essentially have to choose which way to “grow”, to flourish in goodness as Banquo does, or to die out of evil, which Macbeth does. This quote introduces the two characters and their fates as metaphors of growth (also life or death), and is supported by Shakespeare’s choice to use the repetition of growth imagery to enfor...

    Read More

  • Essay On Human Nature In Macbeth

    857 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shakespeare clearly explores the themes ‘Fate and Free Will’, and ‘Ambition’ within this tragedy. Shakespeare weaves these themes around the character of Macbeth, showing us the depth of his insight into human society. Macbeth fell victim to his interpretation of supernatural prophecies and the influence from his wife. His impatience for the throne led to his crimes, subsequent guilt and acknowledgement of his sins. Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s life to his audience as a moral tale, warning them how men should be careful how they regard the ideas of fortune and fate and how in the end, evil intents and actions bring with them their own punishment.

    Read More

  • The Transformation of Shakespeare's Macbeth

    904 Words  | 2 Pages

    Macbeth takes his first step toward becoming evil when he is confronted with the knowledge that he will be king. When the witches tell him "All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king thereafter!" he makes the mistake of letting his ambition overrule his judgment. If his judgment had remained intact in the face of the witches' powerful prophecy, he certainly would have decided not to let his actions be dictated by a prophecy given to him by three strange witches who evade most of the questions he asks. With great trepidation and considerable pressure from Lady Macbeth, he commits his second mistake by proceeding to murder King Duncan. Driven by a persecution complex that starts with the knowledge that Banquo is meant to be the f...

    Read More

More about Banquo And Free Will Analysis

Open Document