The Suspension of Jeremy Corbyn: ‘Macbeth’ And ‘The Ghost of Banquo’?

Gustave Doré’s The Spectrum Appearance of Banquo at Macbeth’s Feast

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.

Banquo is a character in ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare, and the ghost of Banquo is one of the most famous ghosts in English literature.

Banquo is Macbeth’s friend and fellow military commander. At the beginning of ‘Macbeth’ we see them together, fighting and defeating the rebels against the king, Duncan. On their way to Duncan’s camp the two men are stopped by three witches who show that they know who the two are. They predict that Macbeth will soon become Thane of Cawdor and, subsequently, king. They ignore Banquo but he asks them what they have to say to him.

Macbeth returns to his castle and Banquo and his son, Fleace — a child — go with him. Lady Macbeth puts great pressure on Macbeth to murder Duncan. At first, he resists but she prevails and he agrees to stab Duncan in his sleep. By this time Macbeth is already sleepless as a result of…