Banquo

• Banquo


  Brave noble, Macbeth's antithesis
• At the beginning of the play we learn from the Witches' prophecy that Banquo's children will inherit the Scottish throne
• Banquo is similar to Macbeth in that they both have ambitious thoughts


  However, Banquo demonstrates restraint as he doesn't act upon these desires
• Banquo


  The opposite to Macbeth, represents the route that Macbeth chose not to take
• It is Banquo's ghost, rather than Duncan's, that haunts Macbeth
• Constructs of Macbeth and Banquo

  • Shakespeare uses them to show how men can react when shown temptation
• Banquo


  Macbeth's foil, symbolic of man's ability to resist temptation
• Macbeth is "rapt withal" by the Witches' prophecies


  Banquo is indifferent to their prophecies, perceiving them with scepticism
• Banquo's prophecies are juxtaposed with Macbeth's "lesser" and "greater", with "happier" and "not so happy"


  This hints that Banquo serves as Macbeth's antithesis
• Temptation


  The crux of the play, vital for Banquo to be faced with it to prove he is morally strong
• Banquo doesn't speak out against injustice and corruption, despite being tempted by the promise of being "the root and father of many kings"
• Banquo


  • Resists the temptations of evil offered by the Supernatural (in the form of the Witches) throughout the play
• When Banquo finds that the prophecy is coming true he responds with "what, can the devil speak true"


  This implies he views the Witches as agents of the devil
• Banquo


  Perceived by a contemporary audience as a moralistic character as his values were in line with those of the Christian Church
• Banquo


  • Noble qualities, "royalty of nature" - literally royal in nature as it was prophesied his children will be kings, and royal in terms of virtue - honourable and virtuous
• Banquo's response to the Witches' prophecy

  Could be seen as strategic, carefully chosen and non-committal language to reserve his judgement and support whichever side will best benefit him
• Banquo


  • Resistive to evil, turns to God for help in resisting temptation, recognises the Witches as a route of temptation to sin and is able to resist them
• Banquo could be used by Shakespeare to give a moral message to the audience about rejecting evil thoughts and the importance of turning to God in times of temptation


  Banquo isn't perfect, but his ability to reject evil is what makes him a moral character
• Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship

  Macbeth starts acting independently of his wife, as she is no longer necessary and is redundant. Lady Macbeth has lost her reason to be evil and powerful - she can't support her husband. She gives in to her guilt as her conscience starts to take over and she goes insane.
• Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's development

  Macbeth becomes more like how Lady Macbeth was formerly, while Lady Macbeth becomes more like Macbeth was. This is therefore a reversal of gender roles.
• Macbeth's actions


  Macbeth was a reluctant killer, tempted by Lady Macbeth and the witches. He felt regret and recognised the injustice of Duncan's death. However, now he is killing despite it. He is attempting to change it. Shakespeare does this to portray his greed - what he has will never be enough, he will never feel secure. Thus he will keep doing evil because "things bad begun make strong themselves by ill".
• Banquo's ghost


  Appears and disappears three times, increasing the chaotic state of Macbeth's thinking.
• Macbeth and Banquo's friendship

  Initially, Macbeth and Banquo are portrayed as having a very strong and loyal friendship due to their many years serving beside each other in battle. However, this relationship is tested when the two characters meet the Witches. From then on, Banquo is skeptical of their prophecies whereas Macbeth is not, causing a division and setting up Banquo as Macbeth's foil for the rest of the play.
• The Witches and Macbeth/Banquo

  The Witches create friction between Banquo and Macbeth by telling them that whilst Macbeth will become King, Banquo's children will also become kings which in turn makes Macbeth suspicious of Banquo.
• Banquo and Fleance


  Banquo appears to have a very protective and affectionate attitude towards his son, instructing him to "fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly" when it is apparent he is under attack from Macbeth. He manages to escape, but comes back at the end of the play to avenge his father and take the throne of Scotland, with the help of MacDuff.
• Banquo: '"the earth hath bubbles" and questions "have we eaten on the insane root?"'
• Macbeth: '"Our fears in Banquo / Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature / Reigns that which would be feared."'
• Macbeth and Banquo's responses to the witches' prophecies


  Macbeth's name was first mentioned by the Witches, who were "there to meet with Macbeth". Therefore Macbeth knows he is the focus of their intent and thus allows them to control him as he is aligned and connected to the Witches, whereas Banquo could be less susceptible as the prophecies are not directly aimed at him.
• Banquo: '"speak then to me" as he wants to know what the "seeds of time" have in store for him.'
• Banquo remains composed and in control, stating "neither beg nor fear your favours nor your hate".
• Macbeth and Banquo's recognition of the witches

  Both Macbeth, who describes the witches as "imperfect", and Banquo have recognised the witches as unnatural and evil, yet Macbeth chooses to ignore this because he wants to believe their prophecies.
• Banquo's motivations


  The Witches' prophecy prompts the question: why does Banquo save his son? He tells Fleance to "fly" – but also "thou mayst avenge". Therefore, it is clear that he wants Fleance to avenge his death and perhaps kill Macbeth or to take the crown and therefore fulfill the prophecy.
• Banquo: '"I dream'd last night of the three weird sisters"'
• Banquo suspects Macbeth but doesn't speak out as he states "I fear thou play'dst most foully for't".
• Banquo is repeatedly referred to as being noble and honourable throughout the play.
• The Witches predict Banquo being "lesser than Macbeth and greater".
• Banquo frequently speaks in terms of business, giving the sense of him playing strategically – carefully chosen and non-committal language.
• Banquo: '"the instruments of darkness tell us truths; win us with honest trifles to betray's in deepest consequence".'
• Macbeth and Banquo's responses to the witches' prophecies

  Whereas Macbeth asks Banquo to "cleave to my consent", Banquo vows to "keep my allegiance clear".
• Banquo is willing to be advised and tempted by Macbeth, which shows he's franchised – wants to retain the privileges he has gained from loyalty to the king and this may change to new king.