Question

Explain this quote from Macbeth.

Answer 1

Background Information

This scene takes place in Act 3 (the climax of the play) after a conversation that Macbeth and Banquo have. In the latter, Banquo suspects of how Macbeth might have become the king, especially because he was present during the Witches' prediction.

Answer

• "To be this is nothing, but to be safely thus--"

Macbeth believes that his position as a king is not safe, so he says "to be the king means nothing if my position is threatened" There are two facts that don't let Macbeth be the king safely: One is that Banquo suspects of him, and the second one is that Banquo also received a prophecy from the witches saying that he would be "father to a line of kings". Macbeth wants the kingdom only for himself and he doesn't want Banquo's sons to overthrone him.

That is why he says after this:

• "Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared"

Macbeth admits that he is afraid of Banquo, and he is afraid of how noble and loyal he is to the true king.

• "'Tis much he dares; and to that dauntless temper of his mind he hath a wisdom that doth guige his valour to act in safety."

Banquo is very corageous and wise when he has to do something.

• "There is none but he, whose being I do fear"

Banquo is the only person in the world I'm afraid of. Macbeth is afraid of Banquo because he is the only one that knows about the witches' prediction (therefore he suspects of him) and because his sons would be the future kings. Bear in mind that Macbeth's tragic flaw is ambition: First, he wanted to be king. Then he wanted to be the king without any threats and for good. Now that Banquo is considered a threat, he will have to kill him, and as he states later on: blood brings more blood.

• "And under him my genius is rebuked, as is is said, Marc Antony's was by Caesar"

As long as Banquo is alive, my "guardian angel" (who ever is keeping him alive) is afraid, just like the Guardian Angel of Marc Antony  was afraid of Caesar (This is an allusion to another play by Shakespeare)