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at the banquet, Macbeth sees(maybe hallucinates) a ghost of Banquo, sitting in his place. Macbeth gets freaked out when he sees Banquo because all the people he ordered dead (including Banquo) makes Macbeth feel guilty.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Macbeth fears Banquo hearing his heartbeat because he is anxious about his guilty conscience being exposed. The sound of his heartbeat could signify his nervousness and guilt over the murders he has committed. Macbeth believes that Banquo suspects him and is wary of any signs that might give him away.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThere's nothing in the play about Macbeth hearing Banquo's heartbeat.
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Why did Macbeth have his old battle companion killed?
The witches had predicted that Banquo's descendants would become kings whereas Macbeth's would not. Macbeth resented that. Also, Banquo was aware of what the witches had said and might suspect Macbeth of Duncan's murder. Macbeth says, "My fears in Banquo stick deep."
How does Macbeth plan for Banquos demise?
Macbeth enlists murderers to assassinate Banquo.
Why can't Macbeth kill banquo himself?
Banquo is his best friend. Aside from that, Banquo is well loved by many, and if he were to be killed by Macbeth, it would look bad on him. By having the murderers do it, he can mourn Banquo's death and be free of suspicion.
How and why dies Macbeth try to bribe banquo?
Macbeth tries to bribe Banquo by hiring two murderers to kill him. He does this because Banquo knows about the witches' prophecies and could pose a threat to Macbeth's throne since they foretold that Banquo's descendants would be kings. By eliminating Banquo, Macbeth hopes to secure his own power and prevent any challenges to his reign.
What threat is banquo to Macbeth?
No logical reason, but then fear is not a logical thing. Although Macbeth says, "My fears in Banquo stick deep," he is not totally clear about why he is afraid of him. Most likely, he is afraid that Banquo knows too much about him, knows what the witches said to him and how troubled he was by it, and as a result may suspect Macbeth of murdering Duncan. He is also annoyed by the prophecy of the "fruitless crown" and the prophecy that Banquo will be the father to kings. To prevent this, Macbeth would have to kill not only Fleance but also Banquo, to prevent Banquo from fathering more children. This prophecy does not threaten Macbeth, yet he feels threatened by it. All of this makes the ball of anxiety which he feels because of the murder focus irrationally on Banquo.
Explain the paradox of Lesser than Macbeth and greater?
The three witches described Banquo as 'lesser than Macbeth, and greater'. They meant that Banquo was lesser, because he held the same job title whereas Macbeth became Thane of Cawdor in additiion to Thane of Glamis. Banquo didn't get to advance past being Captain. But Macbeth received another noble title, and would become king. Nevertheless, Banquo was greater, because he didn't have Macbeth's fatal flaw of raging ambition and manipulability. Banquo also was greater, because he was going to be the ancestor of a long line of kings. But Macbeth would hold and lose his title, and would have no descendants to succeed him.
What does Banquo ask Macbeth about the experience?
Because Macbeth is planning to kill Banquo and Fleance. Banquo states that none of Macbeth's family would be next in line for King but his family will. Macbeth sees the three witches to check that what Banquo was saying is correct.
Why did Macbeth want to kill banquo and his son?
Macbeth wanted to kill Banquo and his son because he feared that they were a threat to his throne. The witches had predicted that Banquo's descendants would inherit the throne, which posed a risk to Macbeth's own lineage. By eliminating Banquo and his son, Macbeth believed he could secure his power.
What does banquo have that Macbeth does not?
I would say, Banquo had will. His will out weighed any temptations he had towards his goals. Though, just as ambitious as Macbeth, Banquo held back, happy to sit in the back seat as Macbeth explored the front row. This, truthfully would have been better in the long run (you know what they say about the tortoise and the hare) if it wasn't for Macbeth's greed and paranoia.
What is ironic about Macbeths toast to Banquo?
Macbeth says that he wishes Banquo was present at the dinner, yet Macbeth murdered Banquo. Macbeth proposed a toast to Banquo so that the Lords would not suspect Macbeth of any foul play. However, later on in this scene Macbeth betrayed himself. He thought he could see Banquos ghost, and he was acting strangely. The Lords were very confused and thought he was going mad and Lady Macbeth had to act for Macbeth and try and save their reputation.
What does the phrase Never shake they gory locks at me mean as expressed in Shakespeare's play Macbeth?
Macbeth is telling Banquo's ghost not to shake his head at him. Banquo knows that Macbeth had him killed and is filling Macbeth's heart with shame but shaking his gory locks at him. His face is covered in blood and he has many gashes on his head, which is where the blood/gore would be coming from.
How do you explain the phrase 'Not so happy yet much happier' in 'Macbeth'?
The three witches described Banquo as 'Not so happy, yet much happier' than Macbeth. They meant that Banquo wasn't going to be as fortunate as Macbeth. Banquo wasn't going to advance any further than being Captain to King Duncan I [d. August 14, 1040]. But Banquo ultimately was going to be more contented. Banquo was going to leave behind a family, and by that family lineBanquo would become the ancestor to a long line of kings. In contrast, Macbeth [d. August 15, 1057] would have no family, and his reign would end with him.
