Quote overview table

"But 'tis strange: / And oftentimes, to win us to our..."

Quote

"But 'tis strange: / And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths" (Act 1, Scene 3)

Context

After the witches deliver their prophecies, Banquo cautions Macbeth against trusting them fully, recognising that their words have partially come true with Macbeth's new title but sensing potential deception.

Analysis

• Metaphorical language in "instruments of darkness" personifies evil as manipulative tools, highlighting Banquo's perceptive wisdom
• Antithetical structure contrasts "truths" with "harm," emphasising how partial honesty can lead to moral traps
• Archaic phrasing and rhythmic blank verse create a solemn, warning tone, underscoring Banquo's cautious character
• Syntactical balance in the lines builds a logical argument, revealing his rational mindset amid supernatural chaos

Contextual connection

This warning reflects Jacobean fears of witchcraft, influenced by King James I's Daemonologie, which viewed supernatural forces as deceptive threats to moral order.

"I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters"

Quote

"I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters" (Act 2, Scene 1)

Context

Banquo confides in Macbeth about his troubling dream of the witches just before Duncan's murder, admitting temptation from their prophecy but choosing to resist it.

Analysis

• Simple, direct syntax in the confession conveys honesty and vulnerability, contrasting with Macbeth's secretive plotting
• Word choice of "dreamt" evokes subconscious unrest, using imagery to show internal conflict without overt action
• Colloquial phrasing humanises Banquo, emphasising his moral integrity through understated revelation
• The line's brevity creates dramatic pause, heightening tension in the nocturnal setting

Contextual connection

The reference to dreams echoes Renaissance beliefs in prophetic visions, drawing from contemporary interest in the supernatural as seen in Shakespeare's era.

"Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, / As..."

Quote

"Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, / As the weird women promised, and, I fear, / Thou play'dst most foully for't" (Act 3, Scene 1)

Context

In a soliloquy, Banquo reflects on Macbeth's rapid rise to power, suspecting he achieved it through treacherous means while recalling the witches' accurate predictions.

Analysis

• Asyndetic listing of titles ("king, Cawdor, Glamis") mirrors the witches' rhythmic prophecy, creating structural echo for emphasis
• Euphemistic phrasing in "play'dst most foully" uses understatement to imply murder, building accusatory tone through implication
• Archaic second-person address ("Thou") adds formal distance, revealing Banquo's growing suspicion
• Caesura after "I fear" introduces hesitation, using punctuation to convey internal moral judgement

Contextual connection

Banquo's suspicion critiques Jacobean concerns about regicide, alluding to the Gunpowder Plot and fears of political instability under James I.

"Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake / Thy..."

Quote

"Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake / Thy gory locks at me" (Act 3, Scene 4)

Context

Macbeth hallucinates Banquo's ghost at the banquet, defensively addressing the silent apparition that accuses him of murder through its bloody appearance.

Analysis

• Imperative commands ("Never shake") convey desperation, with syntax showing Macbeth's crumbling control
• Vivid imagery in "gory locks" evokes horror through sensory detail, symbolising guilt's manifestation
• Repetitive negation ("canst not say I did it") uses anaphora to emphasise denial, revealing psychological torment
• Blank verse rhythm disrupts with short clauses, mirroring the chaotic banquet scene

Contextual connection

The ghostly apparition draws from Jacobean fascination with the supernatural, influenced by James I's writings on spirits and divine retribution.

Example analysis paragraph

Quote used: "But 'tis strange: / And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths" (Act 1, Scene 3)

Grade 9 PEE paragraph

Point

• Shakespeare employs metaphorical language to portray Banquo's perceptive caution against supernatural deception, using antithetical structure to highlight the dangers of partial truths in corrupting human judgement

Evidence

• "But 'tis strange: / And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths" (Act 1, Scene 3)

Explanation

• The metaphor "instruments of darkness" personifies evil as manipulative entities, creating a sinister tone that contrasts truth with harm to show how temptation exploits vulnerability
• Antithesis in "truths" versus "harm" emphasises moral ambiguity, suggesting Banquo's wisdom stems from recognising deception's subtle mechanics
• This reveals Shakespeare's exploration of human susceptibility, inviting alternative views on whether the witches manipulate fate or merely expose innate flaws

Grade 7 PEE paragraph

Point

• Through Banquo's warning, Shakespeare uses metaphor and contrast to show his cautious nature in response to the witches' prophecies

Evidence

• "But 'tis strange: / And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths" (Act 1, Scene 3)

Explanation

• The phrase "instruments of darkness" metaphorically depicts evil as tools that deceive, highlighting Banquo's insight into potential harm
• Contrast between "truths" and "harm" illustrates the risk of trusting supernatural forces, reinforcing his role as a moral contrast to Macbeth
• Overall, this demonstrates Shakespeare's method of building tension through language that questions reliability

Grade 5 PEE paragraph

Point

• Banquo warns Macbeth about the witches using a metaphor to show they might be dangerous even if they tell some truths

Evidence

• "But 'tis strange: / And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths" (Act 1, Scene 3)

Explanation

• "Instruments of darkness" means evil things that trick people, explaining Banquo's worry about harm
• This shows Banquo is careful and different from Macbeth, who gets tempted more easily