REVISE REVISE REVISE

• Banquo


  He foils Macbeth and is suspicious of the witches prophecies
• Banquo


  • Heavy on moral integrity and conscience
• Banquo


  Contrasts with Macbeth conscience vs ambition
• Macbeth


  Filled with ambition and power
• Macbeth


  Struggles with conscience and guilt
• Macbeth


  Betrayal (with Banquo)
• Macbeth's actions and decisions determine his fate rather than the witches' determination
• Themes evident


  • Conscience vs Ambition
  • Fate
  • Supernatural
  • Guilt
  • Appearance vs reality
• Banquo demonstrates juxtaposition with Macbeth, as Macbeth embraces and fantasises over the witch's prophecies whilst Banquo is intrigued with the witches, he remains loyal by resiting his selfish ambition over his honour for Scotland
• Banquo's reaction to the witches prophecy reminds the audience that not every believd in supernatural forces
• Banquo: '"I neither beg nor fear your favours nor your hate."'
• This quote demonstrates how Banquo stays true and loyal whilst refusing to let external intentions get in his way, and is fine being independent. It follows the theme of conscience vs ambition. The literary technique is epigram and alliteration (use of "f")
• Banquo: '"And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths,"'
• This quote highlights Banquo's loyalty to tell the truth and avoid harm. It also demonstrates how Banquo is sceptical of the witches as he referred as the "instruments of darkness". This follows the appearance vs reality theme as Banquo signifies the witches prophecies may provoke harmful outcomes. The literary devices is irony and metaphor
• During the start of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a loyal general however, after hearing the witches prophecy his ambition ignites. Macbeth's betrayal of Banquo, a former friend, plays a vital role in the play. This act of betrayal deepens Macbeth into guilt, paranoia and tyranny
• Despite his ambition, Macbeth is stuck in guilt and turmoil over his own actions. He wrestles with conscience before, during and after murder King Ducan, this demonstrates human characteristics of the form of hesitation that reflects his moral struggle
• Macbeth's own choices and actions had sealed his fate
• Macbeth: '"I am in blood/ stepped in so far that, should I wade no more"'
• This quote demonstrates metaphor and symbolism, Macbeth's difficult situation compares to being in a deep bloody pit that emphasises the difficulty of turning back from the irreversible actions. The use of blood represents guilt and violence that conveys Macbeth's downfall and high of ambition
• Macbeth: '"Thou canst not say I did it: never shake thy gory locks at me."'
• This quote highlights the denial and guilt Macbeth faces whilst seeing Banquo's ghost. As he tries to convince himself he isn't responsible for his former friends death he sees visual imagery of Banquo's bloodied head and sees the consequences of his betrayal. This also provides a psychosocial torment. Pathos is being employed as it demonstrates an emotional response from the audience through Macbeth's intense emotional response and inner conflict. This also highlights the human emotions of guilt and fear
• Banquo

  • Moral integrity: he maintains his morals and does not succumb to the same level of evil and ambition as Macbeth
  • Loyal: unwavering loyalty to his friend, Macbeth, despite temptations and ambitions that had aries
  • Courage and resilience: it showed in the face of danger and remained steadfast in his morals and principles
• Macbeth

  • Ambition: it can be portrayed as positive trait as it drives Macbeth towards greatness and power
  • Determination: his determination is to fufil the prophecies and secure his position as king demonstrates his strong will and motivation
  • Leadership: he had portrayed leadership qualities that had inspired loyalty and respect to his followers
• Banquo: 'There if I grow, / The harvest is your own.'
• Banquo's moral integrity


  He does not succumb to the same level of evil and ambition as Macbeth
• Banquo's loyalty

  Unwavering to his friend Macbeth, despite temptations and ambitions
• Banquo's courage and resilience

  Showed in the face of danger and remained steadfast in his morals and principles
• Macbeth's ambition

  Can be portrayed as a positive trait as it drives him towards greatness and power
• Macbeth's determination

  To fulfil the prophecies and secure his position as king demonstrates his strong will and motivation
• Macbeth's leadership

  He portrayed qualities that inspired loyalty and respect from his followers
• Macbeth: 'I will not yield,/ To kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet.'
• Banquo's ghost to Macbeth

  Intensified his guilt and lack of control over his conscience
• Prophecy of the witches

  Both Macbeth and Banquo can't control these prophecies
• Lady Macbeth's influence

  She influences Macbeth to murder King Duncan and so on
• Macbeth's murder of Banquo

  Despite Banquo's innocence and loyalty, demonstrates Macbeth's lack of control and ruthlessness driven by ambition
• Banquo's son's escape

  It is beyond Macbeth's control but fulfils the witches' prophecy
• Macbeth's rise to power

  Leads to consequences that Banquo cannot control
• Macbeth: 'It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood.'
• Macbeth's words about Banquo's ghost

  Serve as a reminder of his guilt and the bloodshed he caused by murdering King Duncan and attempting to secure his throne by eliminating threats
• Macbeth's actions

  Set off a chain reaction of consequences that he cannot escape, demonstrating his guilt and paranoia