Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 3 of The Tragedy of Macbeth . Macbeth: [ Aside. ] Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor: The greatest is behind. [ To ROSS and ANGUS.] Thanks for your pains. [ To BANQUO.] Do you not hope your children shall be kings, When those that gave the Thane of Cawdor to me Promis’d no less to them? Banquo: That, trusted home, Might yet enkindle you unto the crown, Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But ’tis strange: And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s In deepest consequence. [ To ROSS and ANGUS.] Cousins, a word, I pray you. Why is Banquo’s emotional appeal to Macbeth appropriate in this situation?
Answer
A
He tries to prove that the Weird Sisters are untrustworthy.
B
He hopes to show that he is equally worthy of the crown.
C
He tries to convince Macbeth to follow his ambitions.
D
He hopes to discourage Macbeth from committing treason.
Explanation
Banquo warns Macbeth that evil forces may tell small truths to tempt people into harmful actions. The witches’ accurate predictions could encourage Macbeth to pursue the crown, so Banquo appeals to him to be cautious and resist the temptation. This makes D, “He hopes to discourage Macbeth from committing treason,” the best answer; Banquo is not encouraging Macbeth’s ambition or claiming the crown for himself.
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