Macbeth and Banquo have been fighting battles, defending the King from Macdonald and a Norwegian King. They were victorious in both battles, resulting in people, including the King Duncan, admire and respect them.
Macbeth’s character is gradually built up during scene two and is portrayed as a hero before we actually see him. “Brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name.” Another quote used is “Like valour’s minion.” This imagery makes Macbeth appear brave and strong and shows that people respect him and look up to him. Macbeth is thought of such a hero, that he is thought of as worthy to become “Belona’s bridegroom.” This indicates to us that Macbeth “Noble” enough to marry the goddess of war if possible. All this makes expectations of Macbeth rise high.
Macbeth is not the only character who is portrayed as a hero. Banquo is also seen as a hero, “O valiant cousin, worthy gentlemen.” This describes to us King Duncan saying that Banquo is noble and brave and that he shows respect to him. Although, he is not seen as spectacular as Macbeth. “As sparrows, eagles or the hare, the lion.” This implies that Banquo is the equivalent to a sparrow and a hare where as Macbeth is related to an eagle and a lion. This creates the impression that Macbeth is more courageous and noble than Banquo. It also suggests that Macbeth is fit to be the King as he is related to a lion, which is the ‘king of the jungle.’
Macbeth is so respected and looked up to that even the King looks up to him as a hero, so he gives the Thane of Cawdor’s reign to him as the recent ruler, Macdonald, turned against the king and was killed. “What he hath lost, Macbeth hath won.” This shows us he trusts Macbeth, making him even closer in succession to the throne, and making him even more powerful.
The audience takes great interest in Macbeths’ opening lines, expecting something wise and wonderful to be said. However, drama is added to the play when Macbeth says “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” This is a great shock to the audience as uses the exact same vocabulary as the witches in scene one “Foul” and “Fair.” As well as having a dramatic effect on the play, it also makes the audience think of Macbeth as evil and untrustworthy. This is because in the seventeenth century, people were keen believers that witches were real and that they were very closely related to the devil. This is due to the period of time as people lived in a very superstitious culture.