Banquo

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Banquo is more honourable than Macbeth

Banquo is a thane, like Macbeth

He's there when the Witches first make their predictions

Banquo is praised for his courage in battle - just like Macbeth

However, while Macbeth is guided by his own selfish desires, Banquo has "a wisdom that doth guide his valour" ]

Suggests that Banquo thinks before he acts and does what is right

Like Macbeth, Banquo is ambitious and hopes the Witches' prophecies come true

He doesn't act on their predictions, so he represents the path Macbeth could have chosen

Banquo isn't corrupted by his ambition like Macbeth is, so he remains honourable

Macbeth promises to "honour" Banquo for his loyalty, but Banquo chooses to keep his "allegiance clear" - his conscience is more important to him than power and glory

Banquo is...

Brave - "that dauntless temper of his mind"

Noble - "Noble Banquo,/That hast no less deserved"

Wise - "The instruments of darkness tell us truths,/Win us with honest trifles - to betray's"

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Banquo doesn't trust the Witches

Banquo behaves rationally when he meets the Witches

He questions whether they are real, and doesn't trust them

In contrast, Macbeth wants them to tell him more, and is "rapt withal"

Banquo tells the Witches that he "neither beg nor fear/Your favours" but he's still intrigued to hear what they have to say

He admits to having "dreamt last night of the three weird sisters" - which suggests he's still thinking about the predictions

Could be said that Banquo says this on the day that they meet the Witches - shows how is thinking about them

Theme - Reality and Appearances

Banquo's aware that the Witches could be "fantastical" and is perceptive enough to realise that they are "instruments of darkness" that could "win us to our harm"

He's more cautious about believing what he sees than Macbeth

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He doesn't act to protect himself

Banquo suspects that Macbeth murdered Duncan - "I fear/Thou play'dst most foully"

But he doesn't act on his suspicions and instead reminds himself that he will be the "father/Of many kings" - shows that ambitious thoughts can distract even the most honourable characters

Macbeth sees Banquo as a threat - he says that there's no one except Banquo "Whose being I do fear"

When Macbeth's hired killers surround him, Banquo's exclamation of "O, treachey!" shows that he didn't suspect that Macbeth would betray him

Theme - Supernatural

Macbeth is haunted by Banquo's ghost which shows how guilty Macbeth feels about killing his honourable friend