Banquo

• Shakespeare's intentions with the character Banquo


  •Banquo carries the message about the importance of resisting evil. Shakespeare advocates turning to God for support

  •Banquo is portrayed in a good light as it was believed he was an ancestor of King James and indirectly flattered him.
• "If you can look into the seeds of time//and say which will not//speak to me

  •In 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.
• How is Banquo alike to Jesus


  •Banquo confesses his temptation, Banquo looks to heaven; "candles are all out", in reference to the lack of stars in the sky. Banquo seeks solace from God
• How is Banquo the antithesis of Macbeth


  •Banquo remains obedient to the natural order and god- he does not try altering his position unlike Macbeth
• How is Banquo opposted to Macbeth


  "Stars hide your fires"

  • This motif of stars exposes Macbeth and Banquo as diametrically opposed in their aspirations

  •Macbeth wants to hide malicious intentions from God yet Banquo wants to confess his temptations to be free of them.
• "Royalty of nature"


  Emphasising his noble and majestic nature

  •This idea compounded shortly after, when Macbeth describes him as "wise", implying a rational and intelligent character comparison: Macbeth was initially presented as "worthy", however regressed into a "hell-hound"
• How does Banquo help explore the theme of envy

  As envy is one of the cardinal sins, Banquo is used by Shakespeare to explore the detrimental effects of envy and unchecked ambition

  "He hath wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety"

  •Macbeth is envious of Banquo's ability to restrain his ambition and refrain from over-indulgence into "deep desires"
• "Look like the inhabitants of the earth"

  •Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches for the first time. Banquo perceives their overt evil and dehumanizes them in his description.

  •Banquo is portrayed as perceptive as it was believed he was an ancestor of James I.
• "I dreamt of thee weird sisters last night"

  •He is still plagued by the thoughts of the witches prophecies. It seems superstition is taking a hold of him and trespassing his unconsciousness

  •In contrast to Macbeth who claims "I think not of them" he is honest characterizing him as moral in order to amplify Macbeth's dishonesty and deception.
• "restrain in me the cursed thoughts"


  •Shows Banquo tries to resist temptation alike to Jesus