Banquo

• ”look not like th’inhabitants o’the’earth” (about witche)

  Banquo perceives their overt evil and dehumanises them in his description. The witches physiognomy( when appearances are believed to be reflective of your true character) exposes them as inhumane and evil. Banquo is portrayed as perceptive as it was believed he was an ancestor of James 1 thus this is a form of indirect flattery.
• “ if you can look into the seeds of time,// Amd say which grain will grow and which will not,// Speak then to me”.

  He references to the Bible, Ecclesiastes 11.6, it says ‘ sow your seed in the morning ‘. The natural imagery is parallel to the bible ; thus Banquo seeks solace in biblical teachings using these to protect him from malevolent supernatural forces. Moreover, a natural semantic field is established with “seeds and “ grains will grow”. This reinforces how Banquo remains obedient to the natural order and God. He does not try altering his position akin to Macbeth.
• “ I dream’d of the three weird sisters last night”

  He is still plagues by thoughts of the witches prophecies. It seems superstition is taking hold of him and trespassing on his unconscious. This is a contrast to Macbeth who claims “ I think not of them”. Banquo is honest, characterising him as moral in order to amplify Macbeths dishonesty and deception.
• “ restrain in me the cursed thought “

  Banquo understands the ludicrousness of plotting to kill the king based on the unsubstantiated prophecies of supernatural beings. This is the antithesis to Lady Macbeth who voluntarily calls the “spirits” and supernatural forces. Banquo wants to blockade any corruption by unnatural force- he perceptively recognises them as “cursed”
• “royalty of nature” (said by Macbeth)

  Banquo is depicted as having an exemplary balance of ambition and respectabilit. His noble and majestic nature is not overpowered by his ambition. “Royalty” connotes “power” and “status” . Macbeth recognises that Banquo has maintained his power as an ambitious stoic hero whilst maintaining his status as a rational and intelligent being.
• “ The heaven’s “candles are all out”

  He is the antithesis of deceitful, he is honest and sincere and confesses his temptation- he is emblematic of Jesus as he confesses his temptation. He comments on the lack of stars in the sky- Banquo seeks solace from heaven. Macbeth tries to hides this, opposed to confess: “stars hide your fires”, this motif of stars exposes Macbeth and Banquo as diametrically opposed in their aspirations: Macbeth wants to hide his malicious intentions from God yet Banquo wants to confess his temptations to be free of them.
• “Fly, good Fleance,fly,fly,fly!,”


  Banquo’s noble and caring attitude shines through most strongly just before he is killed, when he tells Fleance “Fly, good Fleance,fly,fly,fly!”. Banquo knows he won’t survive the ambush so he implores him to run ,aware that if he’s being targeted, Fleance likely is as well.