Comparative paragraph

In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, both Banquo and Macbeth are ambitious and violent in nature, but while Macbeth’s ambition is fuelled by passion, Banquo emphasizes the importance of acting with reason. Thus, Macbeth experiences a moral decline and Banquo faces an honourable end. Macbeth is violent and ambitious in nature. After the battle, a soldier reports that Macbeth “unseam’d [a man] from the nave to the chaps,/And fix’d his head upon [their] battlements” (1.2.24-25). Macbeth’s ability to unseam a man from the nave to the chaps illustrates his brutality. His decision to also put the man’s head on the battlements highlights his desire for violence. Similarly, Banquo displays his brutality and determination in battle. A soldier tells Duncan that Banquo “doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe” and he meant “to bathe in reeking wounds” (1.2.42-43). Banquo’s decision to double his force upon his enemies indicates his desire for bloodshed. However, his desire for violence indicates that he is also ambitious and feels a need to prove himself. Moreover, Banquo emphasizes the importance in acting with reason. After the prophecies are told Banquo says, “oftentimes, to win us to our harm,/The instruments of darkness tell us truths,/Win us with honest trifles, to betray us /In deepest consequence” (1.3.132-135). Banquo receives prophecies like Macbeth but he recognizes the evil in them and his ambition is not run by passion. He has no reason to act on the prophecies and therefore he only tries to convince Macbeth that they are not good. In contrast, Macbeth’s ambition is fuelled by passion and he lacks reason in his actions. After killing Duncan Macbeth tells his wife that he has “done the deed”. Macbeth’s decision to kill Duncan is impulsive as he has no real reason for doing so. He does not think of the morality of the situation as he is overcome by his passion for power. Thus, Macbeth experiences a moral decline. After having Banquo murdered Macbeth tells his wife that “[he is] in blood/Stepp’d in so far, that, should [he] wade no more,/Returning were as tedious as go o’er” (3.4.167-169). Macbeth comparing his heinous actions to wading through a bloody river suggests that his morality is becoming less apparent and that there is no going back. Macbeth is willing to do anything for personal gain and it’s becoming easier for him to commit evil deeds. On the other hand, Banquo faces a most honourable end. Three murderers assault Banquo one night. He sacrifices himself and tells Fleance to “fly, fly, fly!/ Thou mayst revenge. O slave!” (3.3.25-26). Banquo’s willingness to sacrifice himself suggests that he does not want to die a coward and that he wants his legacy to live on through his son.