Banquo

• "What are these,....... That look not like th’ inhabitants o’ th’ Earth?"

  • The use of “what” instead of “who” dehumanizes them—Banquo is questioning not just their identity, but their very nature or species.
  • This reflects the Elizabethan fear of the supernatural, which would have resonated with Shakespeare’s audience.
  • Suspicion: Banquo doubts their humanity, implying they might be spirits or demons.
  • It shows his skepticism and wariness—he immediately senses they do not belong to the natural world.
  • reveal his caution, intelligence, and instinct to question rather than blindly believe.
  • It sets him up as a foil to Macbeth, who later embraces the witches’ words without hesitation.
• "To me you speak not." "If you can look into the seeds of time,And say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me."

  • Monosyllabic short sentence - Banquo is curious yet he shows restraint, unlike the desperation Macbeth shows .
  • Though Banquo is skeptical of the witches, he’s curious and still wants answers.
  • He doesn’t fall under their spell like Macbeth, but he doesn’t reject them entirely either — this shows realistic human curiosity.
• "Me, who neither beg nor fear / Your favours nor your hate."

  • Presents Banquo as rational, noble, and cautious, especially in contrast to Macbeth, who becomes obsessed with their prophecy.
  • alm, measured defiance.
  • Tone - Suggests inner strength — Banquo doesn’t seek power for its own sake, He’s not tempted or controlled by the supernatural.
  • Juxtaposes desire and fear to show Banquo’s balance and restraint.
• “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.” 'Not so happy, yet happier'

  • Paradox — it contradicts itself at first glance but holds a deeper truth.
  • Banquo is told he will be lesser in rank or fortune but greater in virtue and honour - Banquo stays morally upright, while Macbeth falls.
  • Legacy – Banquo’s name will live on, unlike Macbeth’s.
  • Shows keeping your morality holds a greater value than sacrificing it for status.
  • Banquo will be happier in spirit, because he stays honourable and morally strong.
  • His lineage lives on, and he avoids the guilt, paranoia, and madness that destroy Macbeth.
• “What, can the devil speak true?”

  • Rhetorical Question - Expresses shock and suspicion - highlights his suspicion and caution, contrasting with Macbeth’s excitement and growing ambition.
  • Religious Allusion - Associates the witches with devil as he has the prenotion of them being manipulative, evil forces which lead people astray.
  • He questions their intentions, suggesting that evil can use the truth to mislead.
• “To win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray's in deepest consequence.”

  • Metaphor - describes the witches as tools or agents of evil.
  • Use seemingly innocuous promises and truths to gain the trust and confidence of their audience. 
  • Juxtaposition :“Honest trifles” vs “deepest consequence” - Highlights the contrast between the slightest temptations and the grave consequences it causes e.g the Great Fall.
  • Banquo’s skepticism shows he is morally grounded and cautious about power, Contrasts Macbeth who is immediately enticed/ seduced and begins plotting.
• "Have we eaten on the insane root that takes the reason prisoner?"

  • Metaphor: Represents something irrational or maddening.
  • Personification - “Takes the reason prisoner” gives madness the power to capture logic — turning reason into a helpless prisoner.
  • Rhetorical Question: The question reveals Banquo’s confusion and disbelief. He’s trying to understand a supernatural event with rational thought.
  • Banquo clings to reason and questions reality, unlike Macbeth, who quickly begins to believe in the witches' prophecy.
  • The witches’ influence is so powerful that it feels like a drug — altering perception and warping logic.
  • Foreshadowing: The descent into madness that will follow — especially for Macbeth, whose grip on reality slips further as the play progresses.
• “I fear thou played’st most foully for’t.”

  • Euphemism: A polite way of saying committed murder.
  • Banquo avoids direct accusation but still shows his moral clarity.
  • Fricatives - spitting owrds shows his anger at the sinful act.
  • Dramatic Irony: The audience already knows Macbeth did kill Duncan, so Banquo’s suspicion creates tension—he’s close to the truth, and we fear what might happen to him. - reaffirms Banquo as an intelligent character.
• 'My good Lord'

  • A respectful greeting—Banquo is showing deference and loyalty to Macbeth, who’s of higher rank at this point.
  • Perhaps paying respect as a safety measure as he suspects Macbeth's wicked, greedy nature.
  • Appearance vs. Reality: The surface respect hides a deeper conflict.
  • Characters like Banquo and Macduff remain loyal, while Macbeth betrays that loyalty.
• 'Our fears in Banquo stick deep' "In his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared""There's none but he whose being I do fear" "Under him my genius is rebuked" "He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour / To act in safety"


  • Banquo is a source of deep insecurity and envy for Macbeth due to his awareness that Banquo's moral integirty contrasts his immorality - perhaps he subconciously knows he is not worthy of his ill- gotten throne.
  • Banquo represents everything that Macbeth lacks—moral integrity, honor, and nobility. Banquo’s virtue is a threat. Macbeth sees Banquo as a reminder of his own treachery and the guilt that now haunts him. Macbeth’s internal conflict is heightened by Banquo’s moral superiority and the witches’ prophecy.
  • Banquo becomes a catalyst for Macbeth’s increasing desperation and paranoia which drives Macbeth to further murder and treachery.
  • Banquo is measured and cautious whilst Macbeth is impulsive
• “Under him, My genius is rebuked, as it is said Mark Antony’s was by Caesar.”

  • Macbeth feels intellectually and spiritually inferior to Banquo. “Genius” here means guiding spirit or inner strength. Macbeth feels his is weaker when in Banquo’s presence—his presence alone is intimidating.
  • Juxtaposition – Macbeth’s self-perception contrasts with Banquo’s noble qualities.
  • This is a classical allusion to Roman history. In mythology and literature, Mark Antony was seen as being overpowered by the force and presence of Julius Caesar.
  • Macbeth uses this reference to show how Banquo overpowers him, just as Caesar was said to dominate Antony—not necessarily through violence, but through a greater strength of character or fate.
  • Foreshadowing – This sets up the idea that Banquo is a rival fated for greatness, and Macbeth knows it—pushing him toward murder.
• “O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge—O slave!”

  • Exclamatory sentence + Repetition emphasizes the urgency and fear.
  • Banquo puts Fleance’s safety first, showing his nobility and selflessness.
  • Foreshadowing: He plants the seed for future revenge. Though Fleance escapes, Macbeth’s fear will now only grow.
  • Fleance into a symbol of justice and hope, continuing the prophecy Macbeth fears.
  • Fleance’s survival shows how Macbeth can’t control fate, even with violent choices.
  • Represents the start of Macbeth’s unraveling as he realizes killing Banquo wasn’t enough. The prophecy still haunts him.
• '[Seeing the ghost] "Avaunt, and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee!"

  • Imperative verbs - Indicate Macbeth’s desperation and his attempt to assert control over the supernatural presence of Banquo’s ghost. Reflects Macbeth’s loss of composure—he is trying to act authoritative, but his fear is undermining his power.
  • Exclamation mark - Emphasizes Macbeth's emotional intensity. It shows his panic and frustration as he struggles with the ghost, representing his inability to control the situation or his guilt.
  • Apostrophe / Personification - Reflects his desire to escape his guilt and silence the consequences of his actions.
  • The ghost itself is a symbol of Macbeth’s guilt and the consequences of his violent actions. His reaction to it reflects his inability to escape the consequences of his crimes. The ghost is not just a supernatural entity but a manifestation of Macbeth’s conscience, reminding him of his murder of Banquo.
• "Hence, horrible shadow! Unreal mockery, hence!"

  • Metaphor - The ghost of Banquo is a "shadow" because it represents the inescapable consequences of Macbeth’s actions, specifically his guilt and the murder of Banquo.
  • The ghost as a mockery of his own actions. The ghost isn’t physically real, but it feels real enough to torment Macbeth.
  • Exclamatory sentence + Repetition - Signifies Macbeth’s increasing distress, This outburst further isolates him and reflects how his guilt is consuming him.
• “Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs.” “Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo”

  • Imagery (Violent/Blinding): evokes intense, almost physical pain. Macbeth is tormented by the sight of Banquo’s crowned ghost.
  • Symbolism: The crown symbolizes power and kingship — but for Macbeth, it’s also a symbol of what he cannot keep and the future that doesn’t belong to him.
  • Hyperbole: His reaction is extreme, dramatizing just how much the idea of Banquo’s line disturbs him.
  • Apostrophe: Macbeth speaks directly to the ghost, an absent/imagined presence.
  • Imperative verb: “Down!” is a forceful command — revealing Macbeth’s need for control, which he’s clearly losing.
• "The blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon me, And points at them for his."

  • A vivid image of guilt and violence — Macbeth sees the haunting physical evidence of his crime on Banquo - serves as a chilling reminder of Macbeth’s violent betrayal and unshakable guilt.
  • Hauntingly ironic. Banquo, who Macbeth had murdered, now smiles — not out of affection, but triumph - almost mocking Macbeth who tried to change the inevitable fate.
  • Emphasises the futility of trying to defy destiny.