Macbeth Character Profile: Banquo
Positive initial impression
Portrayed as a brave and loyal patriot
Initial response to witches
Praised with Macbeth by King Duncan for their loyalty and courage on the battlefield "Our captains Macbeth and Banquo"
His innocence and goodness are evident
Character acts a s a foil to Macbeth who is 'rapt withal' by the prophecies
Displays little interest in what they have to say to him "Speak then to me wh another beg nor fear your favours nor your hate"
Shrewdness highlighted when he cautions Macbeth to be wary of the witches - warns him they may trick and betray him "Win us with honest trifles, to betray us in deepest consequences"
Describes them as "Instruments of darkness" - unfolds to be extremely accurate, they are agents of evil who intent on bringing harm to those whom they tempt and beguile
Untarnished by envy or self-interest
Macbeth is awarded thane of Cawdor where as Banquo reviews no reward for serving equally to the throne
Duncans apparent preferential treatment of Macbeth provokes no feelings of jealousy or resentment in Banquo
Act 2: Perceptible change in Banquos character
Troubled conscience
Cannot sleep "A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, and yet I would not sleep"
Prophecies have an impact on him and a seed of amibition has taken root in his mind
Prays to heavenly spirits "merciful powers" to help him resist demotion "cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in repose"
Admits to temptation unlike Macbeth
"I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters"
Expresses his intention of keeping his "bosom franchised and allegiance clear"
Immediate response to Duncan's Murder
Appears to underline his nobility and integrity
Not convinced that Duncan was murdered by is own guards
Believes Scottish lords should investigate further ".. let us meet and question thus most bloody piece of work to know it further "
Despiste intentions to "fight of treasonous malice", he never subsequently investigates the crime
Soliloquy Act 3
First to suspect Macbeth of murdering Duncan"Thou hast it now; King, Cawdor, Glamis all, as the weird women promised and I fear thou playd'st most fouly for it"
Fails to take action against Macbeth as he believes seen the prophecies concerning Macbeth realised, he hopes that the prophecy pertaining to his sons will also become reality "May tehy not be my oracles as well and set me up in hope"
Failure to point to Macbeth's guilt suggests that his actions are now guided by self-interest rather than high minded principles
Immoral and unpatriotic which allows a ruthless tyrant to reign over Scotland
Like Macbeth, Banquo's character goes into moral decline as he is too corrupted to some degree by ambition
Does not revert to murder like Macbeth to achieve his goals, but by acquiescing in macbeth's usurpation of the Scottish throne he is guilty of a ype of treasonous inaction
Gradually succumbs to the temptation that he had earlier struggled to resist
Murder of Banquo
Not the innocent soldier who met the witches
Nobility and courage shown when he encourage shis son flank to escape the assassins
Finer qualities are gradually undermined by ambition
Did not realise that if Macbeth killed to become king, he would not heists to collegian to keep his crown
Certain parallels between Banquo and Macbeth
Ghost of Banquo
Torments Macbeth's mind after the murder of Banquo and Fleance's escape
Ghost arrives summoned by Macbeth's conscience; comes to rebuke him
Desire for royal power has disturbed his dreams "Merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to repsose"
Infected by evil in the vulnerability to sleep