![]() ![]() In short, it looks like Macbeth is offering Banquo a bribe for Banquo's support regarding something having to do with the witches, who said that Macbeth would be king.ĭespite Macbeth's vagueness about the purpose of the support he might need from Banquo, Banquo senses that something could be very wrong, and replies, "So I lose none / In seeking to augment it, but still keep / My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, / I shall be counsell'd" (2.1.26-29). ![]() "Cleave to my consent" means "give me your support" "when 'tis" means "when the time comes" and "honour," as it is used here, seems to mean the sort of honor which Macbeth himself received when the King gave him the title of Thane of Cawdor. Then Macbeth almost gives himself away by saying, "If you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis, / It shall make honour for you" (2.1.25-26). Banquo replies that he's willing, anytime. True, we haven't heard him mention the witches, but he's been thinking of nothing except how to make their prophecies come true.Īfter this lie, Macbeth adds, with seeming casualness, that sometime he'd like to talk with Banquo about the witches. ![]() He says that he dreamed of the weird sisters the night before, and tells Macbeth that "To you they have show'd some truth." Macbeth replies, "I think not of them" (2.1.21), which is a lie. ![]() Macbeth, with apparent modesty, replies that he and his wife were unprepared for the King's visit, so they weren't able to entertain him as they would have wished to.īanquo reassures Macbeth that he has been an excellent host to the King, then brings up the subject of the witches. The King has sent gifts to the cooks and other servants, and Banquo has a diamond which is a gift from the King to Lady Macbeth, to thank her for being a "most kind hostess" (2.1.16). When Banquo recognizes Macbeth in the dark night, he wonders why Macbeth is still up, and then tells him how pleased the King is with Macbeth's hospitality. Logically, he should have nothing to fear within the locked gates of Macbeth's castle, but he still feels the need to have his sword ready, just in case. When he sees another torch, he takes his sword from Fleance and calls out "Who's there?" (2.1.10). Whatever fear it is that's keeping Banquo awake, it's also made him edgy. Or maybe he's just been having uncanny thoughts, such as seem to creep up on us in a very dark night, when every bush can be a bear. Or he might fear his own thoughts about how he might become the father of kings. Perhaps he fears that Macbeth is planning murder. A little later he says that he has dreamed of the weird sisters, so maybe he's been thinking about their prophecies. He asks the powers above to "Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature / Gives way to in repose!" (2.1.8-9), but we don't know exactly what "thoughts" he's afraid of. Banquo is dead tired and feels as heavy as lead, but he's fighting sleep because he's afraid of his own thoughts or dreams. In short, it's darker than any dark most of us have ever seen. The moon is down, the night is starless, and there are no street lights in Macbeth's castle. "Husbandry" is thriftiness Banquo means that heaven has gone to bed, and has put out its "candles" (the stars) for the night. It appears that Banquo is getting ready to go to bed, and he remarks that "There's husbandry in heaven / Their candles are all out" (2.1.5). Banquo also gives Fleance something else, perhaps the belt and sheath for the sword. Banquo then hands his sword to Fleance, who is apparently serving as his father's squire. Fleance hasn't heard a clock strike, but the moon is down, so it must be past midnight. He's not asking Fleance how he's doing he's asking how late it is. Banquo asks Fleance, "How goes the night, boy? (2.1.1). The scene opens with some casual conversation which tells us that it's very dark, and that something bad is about to happen.īanquo and his son Fleance are in the courtyard of Macbeth's castle, and Fleance is carrying a torch. Macbeth sees "a dagger of the mind," hears his wife's bell, and goes to kill King Duncan. Macbeth says that Banquo could be rewarded for following his lead on something to do with the witches' prophecies. Macbeth and Banquo discuss King Duncan and the witches. Past midnight, Banquo prepares to go to bed, but is edgy and haunted by strange thoughts. Detailed Summary of Macbeth, Act 2, Scene 1 ![]()
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