Macbeth Act 2, scenes 1 and 2

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(Act 2, scenes 1 and 2)

In Act 2 Banquo is found with his son Fleance, in the courtyard of Macbeth’s castle at “witching hour”. The night is cold and dark, with fog surrounding the castles boundaries.

Banquo is becoming nervous and this is evident from what he says to his son, Fleance,

 “Hold, take my sword. – There’s husbandry in heaven, Their candles are all out. – Take thee that too.”

Even though it is obvious he would like to rest, he is fearful of nightmares whilst he sleeps, the following quote suggests this,

“A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, And yet I would not sleep; merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives way to in response.”

As Banquo was patrolling the area he hears a noise, “Who’s there?” startled and scared at this he says to Fleance, “Give me my sword.” Banquo is tired and is trying to maintain full alert, showing he is on edge; listening out for any anything and everything that might occur.

As Macbeth steps out of the dark, slightly visible by Banquo, Macbeth replies: “A friend” Banquo feels relieved as he can now put his mind at rest, because he has seen a friendly face at such time of night and hostile surroundings.

After Macbeth had been socialising with Banquo, Banquo remembers to ask Macbeth a question that had been troubling him about the witches,

“I dreamed last night of the three weird sisters; To you they showed some truth.”

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Macbeth tries quickly to change the subject by answering, “I think not of them;” this is because he does not want to be linked to the murder of Duncan that Macbeth is plotting.

Macbeth then tries to bribe Banquo, we see this from “If you shall cleave to my consent, when ‘tis, it shall make honour for you.”

By this Macbeth is trying to imply that if Banquo stands by him and stays loyal to him, when he Macbeth needs him, Banquo will not regret it and will be honoured by others.

Banquo replies,

“So I lose none In ...

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