Banquo in 'Macbeth'

Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to present Banquo as noble. Macbeth whom Banquo respects greatly promises Banquo "glory" in return for his loyalty. One might suggest the noun "glory" evokes idea of fame, fortune and perpetual attention and pertinence for respected individuals. Shakespeare assumes the Jacobean audience will draw their own knowledge from Holinshed's 'Chronicles' (Shakespeare's prime inspiration for 'Macbeth') where Banquo is an accomplice in Macbeth's murder of Duncan. King James who was a patron for Shakespeare's theatre company would have been in the audience and may have been impressed as the witches' prophecy would have been true: James being a descendent of Banquo. Thus, James would have been pleased to see Banquo was not actually a murderer of kings.The dramatic irony allows the audience to feel rather hesitant as they may initially assume Banquo to join in Macbeth's treachery though this proves to be the opposite which Makes the plot of Macbeth unpredictable (increasing the tension felt by the audience) and presents Banquo as having an amplified sense of loyalty as the audience may have been initially prejudiced.

Shakespeare uses Banquo to present reality through the use of figurative language. After liaising with the witches, in Act 1 Scene 3, he tells Macbeth that the “instruments of darkness” may tell “truths” to “betray’s” which may be symbolic for the witches. “Instruments” suggests the beings are influential and manipulative as instruments release sound often creating music which can control the heartbeat. The witches are historically known for being manipulative by having powers humans do not have. A modern audience may feel aware of the influence of witches and the supernatural through the creation of superstitions, like bad luck occurring to one who strolls beneath a ladder. However, a Jacobean audience may feel much more terror as beliefs in witchcraft were grand, the contemporary monarch King James even wrote a book based on his findings: ‘Daemonologie’. Suspected witches were often put under a test: if they drowned and died, they were declared not to being a witch and if they survived they would have been incinerated alive hence the audience may have felt a great deal of fear as the hysteria of witchcraft being dangerous was prolific. Moreover, Shakespeare’s use of figurative language allows the audience to draw their own prior knowledge of witches to declare the “instruments of darkness” hence witches being real through the influence of Banquo’s ambivalent statement which allows the audience to accept the witches’ prophecies since they may have been well-aware of the manipulative nature of the supernatural. This enhances the fear and thrill felt by a contemporary audience as their fear may have been enhanced by the realism which would have been a thrill that pleased King James I, a patron for Shakespeare's theatre company and audience member.

Lastly, Shakespeare presents Banquo as powerful through the use of iambic pentameter. The power is presented through equality between Macbeth. Only significant characters spoke in iambic pentameter so Shakespeare gives Banquo high status in the play in order to suggest that only those who inherit aristocracy from birth will be able to rise in power. They all sound similar in audience’s ear. Moreover, Banquo becomes his own Tragic Hero. Despite his own commitments to Duncan and given status, he does not voice Macbeth’s treachery because of his own ambition. Shakespeare therefore enhances his power as Banquo ought to have a tragic flaw thus he is deemed to experience a downfall which could be his death. The audience may feel a catharsis as Fleance flees and justice may seek vengeance towards Macbeth’s power hungry mien. His ability to manipulate the audience’s emotion by even being dead conveys his great power.

His character being dead at an early stage makes him a victim, thus powerless.

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