New Paltz Students Blogging about Shakespeare
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Banquo
Banquo come across as the most influential character in terms of defining Macbeth’s evil intentions. If there is to be a friendship between the two, then it would cruel to play along believing that a bond does in fact exist. However, Banquo presents a calm side to the play, especially since his character is full of poise and rationality. When Banquo says, “new honours come upon him, / Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mould / but with aid of use” there is a definitive trust that he feels toward Macbeth. He knows that in a righteous time such as this for what could be the new king, there needs to be an understanding and appreciation from his subjects, but there is still this question of as to why he would support Macbeth. As I continue to read there is not a single reason for Banquo’s devotion and support, and I even try to read his lines in a cynical perspective that maybe he could have been trying to plot against him, or that he even uses the slightest bit of sarcasm and wit, but he does not. The only section that I could find that might have the slightest hint of this attitude would be in 3.1, which states, “Let your highness / Command upon me, to the which my duties / Are with most indissoluble tie / For ever knit” (3.1.15-18). I want to think that he is not allowing Macbeth the satisfaction of have so much control over his actions. Macbeth follows these lines by saying, “We should have else desired your good advice, / Which still hath been both grave and prosperous, / In this day’s council; but we’ll talk tomorrow. / Is’t far you ride?” (3.1.21-4). It is Macbeth that is demonstrating his power over Banquo and there is nothing that can be done for him fight back, especially in the presence of Lady Macbeth who is also present throughout the scene. Regardless of the play that we read, there is always a character that is taken advantage of in one way or other. Two of the best examples of this type of treatment would be Edgar and Falstaff. I think Falstaff resembles this position more because there was a connection between him and Harry, which was destroyed by his new found power. By carrying on the way he does, it is only a matter of time before Banquo is gone.
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3 comments:
You make a really great point here about the ambiguity apparent in Macbeth & Banquo's relationship. Why do they seem devoted to each other for no apparent reason? The answer to this question gets even more complicated when MacBeth orders Banquo's death. Why kill a man that you have this suspicious care for? I know that we have discussed in class the many reasons why but it doesn't make the entire situation between these two characters any less strange. It reminds me of that saying "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
I appreciate your attention here to Banquo, Cory, especially as he relates to other characters we have read this semester. Like Edgar, I think that you could argue that Banquo is a kind of moral center in the play. It's interesting, because as we will discuss today, Shakespeare takes great liberties in his casting of Banquo as an oppositional force to Macbeth's villainy.
This is an interesting observation; Banquo and Macbeth appear to be very close, however, perhaps they are more confidant military colleagues than close friends. In this arena, as Meaghan points out, it may be wise to keep people close to you, especially equals, in case you decide they need to be eliminated. This would be a dark approach to war and relationships, Machiavellian almost. I think it may be a stretch to say that this is Macbeth's purpose, but I could certainly see it as a possibility.
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