Banquo Quotes

• Banquo is similar to Macbeth since they both have ambitious thoughts however he does not act upon these desires
• Banquo is the foil of Macbeth since he represents the route that Macbeth does not take. This is why Banquo's ghost haunts Macbeth.
• "neither beg nor fear your favours nor your hate"

  • he is indifferent to the prophecies
  • He takes the witches for what they physically appear to be
  • He does not trust them so he perceives the prophecies with scepticism
• "lesser and greater" and "Happier and not so happy"

  • juxtaposition of the prophecies
  • use of antithesis to show Banquo is Macbeth's antithesis
  • morally strong and virtuous
  • resists evil
• "The root and father of many kings"

  • Doesn't speak out against injustice and corruption
  • He will not reveal the evil prophecy
• "what can the devil speak true"

  • views them as agents from the devil
  • supports James I view of Daemonologie
  • symbol of temptation of sin
• "merciful powers, restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in repose"

  • moralistic character by the contemporary audience
  • help in resisting temptation
  • Biblical connotations
• "tho shalt get kings"

  • noble qualities
  • honourable and virtuous
  • disapprove of the fights and murder and remain loyal to King Duncan
• "noble Banquo" "Worthy Banquo"

  • repeatedly referred to as noble and honourable
  • ambivalent portrayal of Banquo
• "keep my allegiance clear"

  • Makes a threat to Macbeth from keeping allegiance with Duncan
  • Speaks in loyalty and commitment
  • allows him to reserve his judgement
• " I dreamed of the three weird sisters last night"

  • less able to resist ambition
  • shows he is subconsciously thinking about the witches
  • confesses to God to stay virtuous
• "fly good fleance, fly,fly,fly" (A3,S3)

  • very protective and affectionate of his son
• "the earth hath bubbles"

  • metaphorical language
  • works to distance himself from witches
  • witches are the force of evil
• "speak then to me" " seeds of time"

  • interest in the prophecies
  • doesn't show his own ambition
  • not as strong as Macbeth
• "lesser than Macbeth and greater"

  • the witches predict this
  • morally superior
  • remains obedient to God
  • great afterlife
• "the instruments of darkness"

  • refers to the witches
  • aware that there is likely to be a trap involved