SH+P6+2014-15+Banquo+(King+James+cousin)

Historical Alex Clark Banquo is Macbeth’s cousin, whose children are destined to the throne. Banquo is a fictional character whom a Scottish line of royalty claimed descendance. This is as close to reality as Banquo has come, “ The Stuart kings claimed descent from Banquo, but Banquo is a mythical figure who never really existed.” (“BBC - Higher Bitesize English - Background : Revision, Page2” 1). Shakespeare took Banquo from The Chronicles of Holinshed. The Chronicles of Holinshed is a history of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and is a common inspiration for Shakespeare’s works. In The Chronicles of Holinshed, Banquo is a coconspirator like Brutus in Julius Caesar. Shakespeare may have change this to appeal to royalty, who still believed they were part of Banquo’s bloodline (Banquo 1). Because of his mythological state, Banquo was portrayed many different ways, Shakespeare’s Banquo being one. Banquo, while never a real person, is a fictional and mythical character whom a line of Scottish royalty claim descendance.

Audience Ian Powell Banquo is a character in the play of Macbeth that many scholars believe was a contrast to Macbeth. Banquo is seen by the audience as a person who resisted the evil temptations that Macbeth had fallen into. The character is loved by the audience because of his insight and the values he shows. In an article it states “Shakespeare's Banquo is the antithesis of Macbeth -- his pure, moral character foil” (Mabillard 1). Banquo was eventually killed by Macbeth because he fell into the “darkness” of temptation. This brings the audience to believe that dark temptations defeat pure temptations. Shakespeare most likely included Banquo to appeal to the audiences “good” side because of the dark setting and characters in the play and therefore makes him one of the most influential characters in the play of Macbeth. Works Cited Milbillard, Amanda. "Introduction to the Characters in Macbeth." Introduction to the Characters in Macbeth. Shakespeare Online, 20 Aug. 2000. Web. 6 Jan. 2015. Notari, Debbie. "Banquo in Macbeth: Character Analysis, Death & Characteristics." Education-Portal. Education Portal, 18 Jan. 2003. Web. 6 Jan. 2015.

Aim Tyler Wilkison The author of Macbeth, William Shakespeare, puts the character Banquo in the story to show that Macbeth will go to great measures to get what he wants, even if that means killing one of his general friends. Banquo is a friend of Macbeth, a general like him, who fought side by side with him at times. They both defeated an Ireland army and the army of Norway. It was a shocking twist of events that Macbeth had his friend Banquo killed just so he could become king. Shakespeare puts Banquo in the story to show a different side of Macbeth, the good side, the caring friend and a great general. Banquo magnifies the idea that Macbeth has come under a great “spell like trance” and has now become a tyrannical leader only for the prize at the end instead of stopping and thinking of what he is doing to see if it was the right decision to have Banquo killed and to kill the king and kill the guards and Macduff's family. "It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul's flight/If it find heaven, must find it out to-night" (3.1.140-141). We see Macbeth completely become evil and move fully into his evil tyrannical leader phase after killing Banque. The aim that Shakespeare had when putting Banquo in the story was to keep Macbeth in line and show him what he had and that it was good already and that he did not need to become bloodthirsty and kill people just to get to the throne, but obviously Macbeth got ahead of himself and his tyrannical attitude and outlook on everything got in the way.

Cultural Emily Gerdts

Banquo, Macbeth’s cousin, made significant attributes to the role of Macbeth and overall maintained a prime example of the culture of Scotland and the tragedy, Macbeth. Around the 11th Century Scotland was separated into groups based on beliefs and rivalry. Gaelic and Celtic influences also played a key role in the development of William Shakespeare's, Macbeth. Macbeth was also described as the last of the Celtic Kings, leaving the Celtic world in so called “retreat” (“Alba- A Celtic Kingdom” 2). Described as a “Time for Heroes,” the text states, “The world of Macbeth was a profoundly Celtic one, a culture and society that united Ireland and Alba. This Gaelic culture celebrated its heroes - King's were war leaders whose prestige depended on their prowess and success - while at the same time requiring its heroes to look after the interests of the extended families that made up the tribe” (“Alba- A Celtic Kingdom” 3). The Culture present at the time of 11th Century Scotland determined the way people viewed one another as well as their selves. This culture helped to essentially “create” Banquo, for he is a figure of great influence for the character, Macbeth in the sense that he was the opposite of Macbeth culturally and figuratively. Overall, the culture of 11th Century Scotland in relation to Macbeth’s, Banquo, is based solely on the Celtic as well as the Gaelic language and culture that helped form the concept of William Shakespeare's Tragedy.

Works Cited Mabillard, Amanda. Macbeth: Plot Summary. Shakespeare Online. 20 Aug. 2000. "Alba – A Celtic Kingdom." Macbeth. Alistair Murray and Cameron Taylor, n.d. Web. 06 Jan 2015. Thompson, Gale. "The Historical Context of Macbeth." West Irondequoit. Irondequoit High School, Feb. 2007. Web. 05 Jan. 2015. “Banquo.” Princeton. The Trustees of Princeton, n.d. Web. 6 Jan 2015. “BBC - Higher Bitesize English - Background : Revision, Page2.” Higher Bitesize English-Background. BBC, n.d. Web. 06 Jan 2015 Milbillard, Amanda. "Introduction to the Characters in Macbeth." Introduction to the Characters in Macbeth. Shakespeare Online, 20 Aug. 2000. Web. 6 Jan. 2015. Notari, Debbie. "Banquo in Macbeth: Character Analysis, Death & Characteristics." Education-Portal. Education Portal, 18 Jan. 2003. Web. 6 Jan. 2015