Banquo: Who's there? / Macbeth: A friend

[JB]

Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows something that the characters
on stage do not. When characters say one thing, the audience knows
that they may/will be thinking something very different.

Banquo: Who's there?
Macbeth: A friend

In Act 2, Scene 1 this exchange takes place. What do you think Macbeth
is actually thinking when he says, "a friend"?

[Fiona Sit]

Macbeth is planning to kill the king when he says, "a friend". This is
a dramatic irony which the audiences know Macbeth has decided to
murder Duncan. However, Banquo does not know about Macbeth's decision.
Macbeth is calling himself a 'friend' to avoid Banquo from suspecting
that he may kill the king. The word, 'friend', makes Banquo feel like
Macbeth is on the 'same side' as Banquo. It seems like Macbeth is
supporting Duncan.

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

Fiona's argument is strong I have to agree with it. It is the same as
what i think. Macbeth is saying that he is standing on the same
perspective of Banquo. But not addressing anything about what kind of
perspective. It is because Macbeth is not sure wither Banquo believes
in the witches prophecies or not. He is just saying he is on the same
side of Banquo, turn off friendly fire.

[Vivian Law]

By replying "a friend", Macbeth is trying to avoid Banquo from
suspecting him and also to clarify himself standing on the same side
as Banquo.
The dramatic irony is employed so that the audience all knows that
Macbeth is going to kill King Duncan, however, Banquo does not know
Macbeth's murderous intent of killing King Duncan.

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

I am also showing agreement to Fiona's proposition.

> In battlefields, if someone who is of the same team as you asks you "Who's there", you will normally reply "A friend" so as to let him know that he should not fire at you.

> Applying the similar idea to this occasion, Macbeth is trying to cover himself up by clarifying to Banquo that he is still his "friend" in order to prevent Banquo from suspecting his murdering intention.

> This is obviously a dramatic irony because although the audience know the truth that the word "friend" is actually used for covering Macbeth himself, Banquo regards it to be a real "friend".

[Regina Lo]

When Macbeth says ‘a friend’, he wants Banquo to believe that they are
both on the same side and both of them are staying loyal to Duncan.
This is a dramatic irony as all the audience knows Macbeth is planning
to murder Duncan so he would be king. Macbeth doesn’t want Banquo to
suspect him as the murderer when Duncan is dead.

[Alfredfredfredfred :D]

Seems that we all think the same way :D
When Macbeth says "a friend", it creates a warm and comfortable
feeling in Banquo's heart. This makes Banquo thinks that although
Macbeth is a mighty soldier, he is still warm blooded and will not
kill anyone who has helped him. Banquo falls into the trap of Macbeth,
making him think that it is impossible for a kind man like Macbeth to
kill his honorable king.

On Nov 9, 11:16 am, JB <jacoboea...@gmail.com> wrote:

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

The quote is an example of dramatic irony, where the audiences clearly
knew the deed that Macbeth has committed. I personally think that
Macbeth addresses himself as "a friend" instead of responding with his
own name is due to the excessive guilt that still remains in his mind
when he is speaking to Banquo. By clarifying himself as 'a friend'
could also prevent Banquo to suspect him as an enemy or a murderer by
first thoughts, which Macbeth would have considered when speaking,
also showing that their trusting relationship remains unchanged and
they still belong to the same side.

[Queenie Ho]

"a friend" is a dramatic irony which the audiences knew about
Macbeth's plan of murdering the king. Macbeth attempt to gain Banquo’s
support by calling him "a friend", which Banquo will not suspect that
Macbeth is the murderer, and that he will stand on his side when he
beome the king. This also foreshadows their friendship changes later
in the play. It seems that Macbeth desire consumed him with greed and
temptation that he couldn't speak out his name, and Banquo feels that
they both are the same.

[Sebastian Lee]

Macbeth says "a friend" the main reason is because he don't want
Banquo to suspect him for killing king Duncan in the future. The
dramatic irony is used for telling that Macbeth is going to kill the
king while Banquo still dont know Macbeth's intention to kill the
king. Moreover, at the beginning of the we know that Banquo is
Macbeth's friend, so replying that answer is just very natural.

[Nathan Sin]

I disagree upon the majority of comments above.

As we could see from the film, Macbeth was in doubt whether he wants
to kill King Duncan or not. This point was further proved in his
improvisation in Duncan's room, where he puts the knife in front of
him but does not stab him immediately. Macbeth only stabs Duncan when
the King wakes up. Macbeth found out that he has have no excuse to
have a dagger in the middle of the night, in front of Duncan,
therefore causing the murder.

This suggests that during this dialogue, Macbeth is sincere and wants
to have a chat with Macbeth, and not protruding how Macbeth does not
want to let Banquo know he wants to be the king since this is BEFORE
the murder.

Macbeth doesn't want to be king. Through the influence from Lady
Macbeth, it twists his mind and his decision changes drastically. I
think that when Macbeth mentions "a friend", Shakespeare's purpose was
not to create a dramatic irony (letting others know about the murder),
but to show that he is not sure about his decision, and does not have
the intention until Duncan wakes up.

[Nathan Sin]

*Macbeth is sincere and wants to have a chat with Banquo*

[Jake Eagle]

Lots of great thoughts here - and well done Nathan for your bravery in challenging others' points. Personally, I'd agree that Macbeth does plan to carry out the murder at this point. However, I feel it would be false to suggest that he is lying when he says, "a friend" to Banquo. Macbeth is easily influenced by Lady Macbeth and although he has to hide his intention from Banquo, I don't think he has lost trust in him... yet. The fact is though, that the witch's prophesy has driven a wedge between the two friends and their different reaction to being told the future makes them suspicious of each other.