BANQUO Acts like a foil, or contrast, to Macbeth.

Both are brave and successful generals; both are exposed to the same temptations, but because of the difference of characters their character their careers and actions present a strong contrast. There are two interpretations of Banquos character. The one absolves him of all guilt but accuses him of an irresolution that brought about his death. The other considers him a passive accomplice to Macbeths crimes and blames his inaction and lack of suspicion upon his belief of the witches prophecy connecting Banquos descendants with the throne of Scotland. Both will be presented here although most opinion favour the first interpretation mentioned above. We must remember that Shakespeare would do nothing to antagonize King James I who is supposed to have been a lineal descendant of Banquo. BRAVE 1. No less brave than Macbeth. Both are mentioned together As cannons overcharged with double cracks. (Act I, scene ii, line 36) 2. Macbeth says of him: tis much he dares, And, to that dauntless temper of his mind. (Act III, scene I, lines 51-52) 3. At the same time he is not foolhardy but: He hath a wisdom [prudence] that doth guide his valour To act in safety. (Act III, scene I, lines 53-54) MODEST AND UNENVIOUS 1. Duncan praises him: Noble Banquo That hath no less deserved, nor must be known No less to have done so; let me infold thee And hold thee to my heart. Banquo replies modestly: There if I grow, the harvest is your own. (Act I, scene iv, line 33) 2. Banquo has evidently been praising Macbeth to Duncan in the silent dramatic byplay which must go on while Macbeth speaks his mind in his soliloquy, because Duncans speech immediately afterwards indicates this. (Act I, scene iv). HONEST AND REFINED 1. His speech before Macbeths castle (Act I, scene vi) and his imagery while talking to Fleance (Act II, scene i) are evidence of a refined and poetic nature. 2. His honesty is shown in his struggles against temptation and the evil thoughts that beset him. Only in sleep does his power of resistance weaken. A heavy summons..that nature/ Gives way to in repose (Act II, scene i). CARELESS AND IRRESOLUTE These two weaknesses in his nature brought him to his death. 1. He suspects Macbeth: I fear Thou playdst most foully fort (Act III, scene I, lines 2-3), yet he does nothing in self defense. 2. He seems deliberately to shut his eyes to Macbeths crime against Duncan. He seems, too, to have gone so far in believing the prophecies as to consider the murder inevitable. This passiveness is not without guilt since he, too, is going to

gain: it was said It should not stand in thy posterity, But that myself should be the root and father Of many kings. (Act III, scene I, line 3) COMPARE & CONTRAST WITH MACBETH 1. (a) Witches represent evil ambitions of Macbeth. (b) Their prophecy concerning Banquo shows that his ambition was not as pressing, brutal, or selfish as Macbeths. 2. (a) Macbeth becomes excited at the witches prophecies and is inclined to believe them. (b) Banquo considers them instruments of darkness which Win us with honest trifles, to betrays/In deepest consequence. (Act I, scene iii, line 126) 3. Both are superstitious, Banquo with some reservations. 4. Both are ambitious. (i) (a) Macbeths ambition leads him on a career of crime (b) Banquo goes so far as to pray the merciful heavens to help him control his ambition. (ii) (a) Macbeths ambition is for himself first. Later he tries to get both Banquo and Fleance murdered so that the throne would continue in his line and not in Banquos. (b) Banquo is content that his descendants should be kings. As far as he himself is concerned he wishes to keep his bosom franchised and allegiance clear. 5. a) Macbeth fears and distrusts Banquo; Our fears is Banquo/Stick deep There is none but he/Whose being I do fear (Act III, scene i) (b) Banquo does not fear Macbeth. He does, however, suspect him of murdering Duncan. His lack of caution makes possible his death at the hands of Macbeths murderers. 6. (a) Macbeth is constantly plotting. (b) Banquo is open and honest in nature. He is much more nave than than Macbeth. These points are mentioned by those who find Banquo guilty: 1. He knows the witches prophecies for Macbeth. 2. He saw Macbeth start and realized the guilt in Macbeths mind. 3. He covers up for Macbeth who is distracted by the witches prophecies. 4. Although he worries about the witches he is not suspicious enough when he encounters Macbeth late at night near Duncans chamber and carrying a dagger. If he were suspicious, he would not have left the scene. 5. He is not sufficiently surprised or horrified upon the discovery of the murder. This would indicate that he was prepared for such an event. BANQUO We can learn a lot about Macbeth by looking at Banquo. Banquo is a man of integrity. He is brave in battle but cautious in his actions. It is valuable to look at how he and Macbeth react differently to similar circumstances. At the beginning of the play, they are equals. Macbeth and Banquo are leading Duncan's army-they fight side by side. They seem to be equally brave in combat. Banquo and Macbeth meet the witches together, and Banquo's response to the prophesies is wiser than Macbeth's. He is sceptical from the beginning. When the witches first appear, he taunts them: "Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear / Your favors nor your hate." (Act I,

Scene iii, lines 61-62). After the prediction that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor comes true, Banquo is more cautious. He warns his friend not to be won over by small truths only to be betrayed in more important matters. He senses the women are evil, and he expects a trick. Banquo has an honest and trusting nature. It never occurs to him that Macbeth may want to kill Duncan to make the prophecy come true. Later, even when he suspects that Macbeth killed the old King, Banquo does not suspect that he himself is in any danger. It is interesting to note that Banquo does have some interest in the things the "weird sisters" promise him. He tells Macbeth that he dreamed about them. He also wonders if, since their prophecy for Macbeth came true, he should hope that his descendents will be kings. But Banquo refuses to compromise his honor and his integrity to get the things he wants. He is willing to wait for the fullness of time to bring about whatever is coming. Also notice that Banquo, unlike Macbeth, does not hide the fact that he sometimes thinks about the three witches. So it seems that Shakespeare formed Banquo's character the way he did to show how a man of honor would respond to the kind of temptation that Macbeth gives in to. There is probably another reason why Banquo is portrayed as he is. historically, Banquo was an ancestor of King James I of England. Macbeth was first presented for James. In Holinshed's Chronicles, which was Shakespeare's source for the story, Banquo helped Macbeth murder the king. Many critics believe that Shakespeare changed Banquo's role to please King James.