Eulogy For Banquo's Farewell

Good Morning noble thanes, kinsmen and sons of Scotland, I, King Macbeth, am honoured to be here today to praise the life of my beloved friend Banquo. The past two weeks have been unbelievably hard and in the midst of my grief, I had the daunting task of finding the words to farewell such an incredible man. I would first like to acknowledge all those who journeyed here to the castle of Inverness. It was the last place Banquo was seen alive, and so it seemed fit that it should be the last place in which we say goodbye. Banquo was in essence a family man, but it was Banquo’s ‘royalty of nature' (A3. S1. L54.) that guided the ‘dauntless temper of his mind … to act in safety,’ (A3. S1 L56-58) and with benevolence and it was this same nature the
Banquo and I rose through the ranks together to become generals of the Duncan’s army and thanes of this great land. He of Lochaber and I of Glamis. We were brothers in arms. He possessed an undeniable amount of courage, he was a 'cannon over charged with double cracks.' (A1 S2 L41) I remember clearly Banquo's last battle against Sweno, King of Norway and Macdonwald, traitorous thane. King Duncan, may his soul be ever peaceful, praised Banquo openly and with a great deal of honesty. For it was in a time when our nation’s liberty was threatened and the King’s honour betrayed that Banquo chose not to cower in the shadows of a challenge and instead to, ‘redouble strokes upon the foe.’ (A1. S2. L.43) His courage and nobleness was so great that even the mortally injured had time to stop and to praise the 'right-valiant Banquo.' (A3. S6. L5.). It was his loyalty to his country and his King that truly spoke to the nature of his character. Banquo was loyal to each and every man who sat upon the throne. He always sought to keep his 'bosom franchised and allegiance clear,' (A2. S1, L34-35) Forever devoted to the King, it was he who swore to fight 'against the divulged pretence … of treasonous malice.' (A2. S3. L156-157) and avenge the death of
S3. L 149-150) It was a part of Banquo that even I, as his great friend feared. Banquo’s wisdom did rebuke a person’s genius and only a fool would choose to challenge Banquo and his intelligence, over the ‘Hyrcan tiger [or] the arm’d rhinoceros.’ (A3. S4. L123-124.) For that would surely lead a man to his