You are here

"take my sword"
Discussion
Act 2,
Scene 1
Line 5

A discussion of the historical context for Banquo’s request that Fleance hold his sword in Act 2, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s Macbeth.

Banquo

Hold, take my sword. There's husbandry in heaven;

Eleventh century Scotland was a violent place, so it would be natural that Banquo would be armed when outside the castle, especially after dark. Banquo hands his sword to his son so that he can kneel to pray for relief from the thoughts which are bothering him.