What do the audience learn about the characters of Macbeth and Banquo

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What do the audience learn about the characters of Macbeth and Banquo

Macbeth is a play written by Shakespeare in 1606. The play itself is a twisting tragedy, showing that even the strongest of people can be influenced in the wrong way. The play portrays the collapse of Macbeth: a trusted, brave, loyal servant of Scotland, but under the influence of evil he slowly turns into a malicious murderer.  

Throughout the beginning of the play you have been introduced to the characters of: the evil and scheming witches, who are plotting to give Macbeth two predictions: that he is going to be the Thane of Cawdor and King. Since Macbeth is an ambitious person he will peruse these dreams and predictions. Also you have been introduced to King Duncan, Scotland’s great King who has a lot foes.

The audience haven’t seen Macbeth yet and he is made out to be a brave and strong man who can conquer all aspects of evil, the audience don’t know him well enough so far. In the 1st scene the witches are plotting Macbeth’s fate, they are organizing where and when they are going to meet. They look in the future to decide.

After the battle we eventually get to meet Macbeth and his best friend Banquo, who are on their way home from the battle, when they first meet the witches. This scene is crucial to understanding what the Macbeth’s and Banquo’s persona is like.

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After first meeting the witches Macbeth quotes; “Speak if you can; who are you?” The witches are strange looking and very unnatural beings; and Macbeth wants to know whom they are; but he’s also unsure about them, which in the end makes him naturally inquisitive.

On the other hand, later on Banquo quotes; “If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not.” This means he wants to know his future. This is because; he wants his own glory, if they can see his future he wants to benefit from ...

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