banquo :0
context
kingship
supernatural
loyalty
use in play
acts as a foil to macbeth, in order to highlight to the more moral route macbeth could have followed, due to his resistance to the witches' prophecies
he's symbolic of man's ability to resist temptation and perceives their prophies as scepticism
indifferent to the witches prophecies
'neither beg nor fear your favours nor your fate'
banquo was a descendant of king James I, hence why Shakespeare portrays him in such a good light
Shakespeare hints that he's Macbeth's antithesis by comparing him as 'greater but not as great' and 'happier yet not so happy'
highlights how morally righteous he is
unlike macbeth, he is able to resist his ambition (his sons are set to be kings)
banquo's moral views would be in line with the christian beliefs of the Jacobean audience
Banquo calls out to God to help him resist temptation "merciful powers, restrain in me the cursed thoughts"
foils macbeth's attempt to cover him actions from God "let not light see my black and deep desires"
could be aligned with Jesus, his primarily good actions yet his slight swerve into temptation may mirror Jesus' dual nature
"our fears in Banquo stick deep"
morality
as a notoriously moral character, Banquo presents the ability to identify evil within others
his ghost
"I fear thou played'st most foully for it"
symbolises macbeth's inescapability of righteous people in contrast to his immoral acts, as Banquo haunts him
represents a rightful follow of kingship like Macduff and Malcolm