Banquo

• "Nobel Banquo, worthy Macbeth"

  • Portrayed as trustworthy and honourable individual, sets him apart from Macbeth
  • Gives connotations to being honourable and dignified
  • Person of high moral quality
  • Juxtaposes Macbeth
• "The instruments of darkness tell us truths...to betray us"

  • 'Darkness' describes witches as evil and deceptive
  • Juxtaposition, Macbeth doesn't have ability, catalyses his growing ambition, leading to his himartia
  • Respected by Jacobean audience as against supernatural
• "Thou canst not say I did it"

  • Macbeth deep sense of denial for Banquo murder
• Banquos Ghost

  • Sparks beginning of Macbeths downfall and suffering
  • Reveals Macbeth paranoia and guilt, psychological effects of his crimes
  • Serves as reminder to Jacobean audience about consequences of wrong doings
  • Breaking great chain of being
• Banquo is Macbeths Foil

  • Serve as foil to each other, highlights contrasting qualities and decisions
  • Macbeth is driven by ambition and greed but Banquo remains loyal and honourable throughout
  • Banquo character serves to emphasis Macbeths decent into darkness and consequences of unchecked ambition.
• "I fear thou play'dst most folly for it"

  • Banquo soliloquy
  • Banquo admits suspicion that Macbeth murdered Duncan, hints doubts about Macbeth moral choices
  • 'Folly' echoes words of witches 'foul', doesn't use 'fair' as clear to him Macbeths actions are foul.
  • Raise audience suspicion about Macbeths character and creates sense of tension and anticipation as audience wonder about consequences of Macbeth actions