Banquo: The King's a-bed...

[JB]

Banquo:
What, sir! Not yet at rest? The King's a-bed.
He hath been in unusual pleasure, and
Sent forth great largess to your offices.
Thiws diamond he greets your wife withal,
By the name of most kind hostess - and shut up
In measureless content.

Macbeth:
Being unprepared,
Our will became the servant to defect,
Which else should free have wrought.

Discuss what Banquo and Macbeth are actually thinking when they say
these words. How truthful are their words and why?

[[Y10 Joy] CHEUNG Ka Yu Gavin [Gavin CHEUNG]]

In the line of Macbeth, it is seems that he mean, He is not expected
that the chance of killing the king came so fast. Therefore he is not
yet prepare to do this assassination.

[[Y10 Joy] CHEUNG Ka Yu Gavin [Gavin CHEUNG]]

In the line of Macbeth, it is seems that he mean, He is not expected
that the chance of killing the king came so fast. Therefore he is not
yet prepare to do this assassination.

On Nov 9, 11:22 am, JB <jacoboea...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Fiona Sit]

I agree that Macbeth does not expect the chance of murdering Duncan
will come so soon. He is saying that he is unprepared for the king’s
visit, therefore, he is unable to serve the king well. There is a
deeper meaning in this dialogue. Not only he is unprepared for the
king’s visit, he is also unprepared for the murdering. This shows
Macbeth’s fear and anxiety.

[[3 Peace] LAM Ka Wing Kevin [Kevin LAM]]

* Banquo wonders why Macbeth is still awake while the king has already
fallen asleep. Macbeth's action arouses his suspicion of Macbeth's
murdering intention. He then says to Macbeth that the king is being
very nice to him and therefore he has to be in turn loyal to him too.
The reason for Banquo giving such an eulogy to the king is that he
wants to discourage Macbeth from committing murder to the king in
order to fulfill his psychological needs. In fact, Banquo is not
really praising the king, he is instead trying to dissuade Macbeth
from killing him.

* Macbeth, on the other hand, feels unprepared to kill the king. He
has not had the time to plan properly and feels hesitant about his
intent.

[Alfredfredfredfred :D]

Although Macbeth had decided to murder the king. His heart is still
not fully prepared. Thinking of what the king has done to him makes
him feel that he should not kill him. The king had been nice to him
and is not deserved to be killed. The anxiety in his feelings are also
shown when he goes into the kings room to kill him. He hesitates
before killing the king.

On Nov 9, 11:22 am, JB <jacoboea...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Queenie Ho]

Banquo is surprised that Macbeth is still awake. Banquo told him that
the king is asleep, everything is going really good and everyone have
a wonderful time with the king. It shows that Banquo is loyal to the
king, he also make impression of how the king is being good to them,
which somehow try to persuade Macbeth not to believe in the prophecies
and to murder the king in order to achieve his ambitions and to become
more powerful.
Macbeth said that he was not prepared for the king's visit, which also
means that he is not prepared either welcome the king and murder the
king,everything just come too fast for him.

[Regina Lo]

I agree that Macbeth wasn’t prepared to kill Duncan as all of the
things seem to come very quickly, such as himself being Thane of
Cawdor and having Duncan to visit him. The chance for Macbeth to
murder Duncan came too fast and he might think there wouldn’t be
another great chance for him to succeed to be king.
From what Banquo says, it seems that he is suspicious of Macbeth’s
actions as he is still up when the king is asleep. Banquo also tries
to tell Macbeth that Duncan is a nice king and both of them should
stay loyal to him.

[[3 Trust] YEUNG Ho Kwan Michael [Michael YEUNG]]

I suspect that Banquo has already raised suspicion towards Macbeth as
he remains awake while the King is asleep, despite Macbeth's
clarification of 'a friend'. However, Banquo seems to be emphasizing
the King's kindness of sending gifts to servants and diamonds to his
wife, indirectly convincing him not to attempt to kill King Duncan. On
the other hand, as Macbeth says that he is 'being unprepared' to give
the king a warm welcome, he could also be quoting that he's not
prepared to murder the king and I personally think that he is thinking
of greeting the king by assassinating him as a 'not as warm' welcome.
Both Macbeth and Banquo spoke indirectly to each other, showing their
untruthfulness on their words, also in deep thoughts instead of being
more open and trusty towards each other.

[Vivian Law]

I agree Macbeth did not expect the chance of murdering Duncan came so
soon, although he is not prepared, this is a precious chance for him.
I think that Banquo is suspecting Macbeth's actions already, however,
he is trying to stop Macbeth by saying Duncan is a good king that they
should stay loyal to him, instead of assassinating him in order to
fulfill his ambition, to become the king, gain all the power and glory.

[Sebastian Lee]

[Sebastian Lee]

Here shows Macbeth did not think the chance for him to kill Duncan
came so quickly. Although Macbeth has not killed the king yet, he has
already got Banquo suspicion that Macbeth wants to kill the king.
Despite he suspects that Macbeth wants to kill the king, as long as
Macbeth has not murdered the king yet, he ain't not do anything but to
persuade Macbeth not to kill the king since he is a good king so he
should be loyal to him.

11, 12:06 am, Vivian Law <vivianlaw0...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Nathan Sin]

I think that Banquo is saying what he really is. He is a straight
forward and kind person, proved when Banquo gave up on the thought
that his sons will be king immediately after hearing the witches'
assumptions.

On the other hand, Macbeth, performs another dramatic irony here, not
letting Banquo that he is going to kill the king soon. However, in
Banquo's speech, he continues to talk about how good and generous was
the king, which might be a great impact of how he hesitates to kill
the king at first because of his recall of how the king doesn't abuse
his powers, is Macbeth's kinsmen etc. Macbeth's speeches are full of
ironies, while he tries to keep the truth away from everyone.

[Jake Eagle]

Yes, again there is a sense of dramatic irony here. Banquo tells Macbeth of the King's good nature and favour towards Macbeth.
a) He could be attempting to persuade Macbeth to stay loyal.
b) He could be speaking his mind and just making small-talk.
c) He could be reminding Macbeth of the King's good character since he anticipates Macbeth's murderous intent.

Whatever is going through Banquo's mind, it is clear that this does not help Macbeth make up his mind. Banquo's words mimic Macbeth's earlier monologue where he says of the King: "I am his kinsman and his subject". He also noted that Duncan, "hath been so clear in his great office." Lady Macbeth subsequently persuades him to change his mind and to kill the King, but here Banquo's words remind Macbeth of the alternative view - that he has no right to kill such a decent and honourable man.

As the audience, we know that Macbeth is malleable (look it up) and that this could throw Macbeth back into confusion.