Characters


‘A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives way to in repose!’ (Act 2, Sc 1)


Where Macbeth embraces evil, Banquo resists it.


Ambitious Banquo is nonetheless an ambitious character. The witches prophesised that his descendents shall be kings; he articulates his private ambitions for himself as the father of a long line of kings: ‘But that myself should be the root and father Of many kings. If there come truth from them – As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine – Why, by the verities on thee made good, May they not be my oracles as well, And set me up in hope?’ (Act 3, Sc 1)


However, Banquo is unwilling to allow his ambitions to compromise him morally. He remains morally forthright when Macbeth warily tries to gauge his loyalty. Macbeth tells Banquo that he will be favoured if he remains loyal to him: ‘If you shall cleave to my consent, when ‘tis, / It shall make honour for you’. Banquo replies that he can only act in good conscience and with honour. He says that this concerns him more than titles: ‘So I lose none In seeking to augment it, but still keep My bosom franchised and allegiance clear’ (Act 2, Sc 1)


His honourable and uncompromising loyalty to the King contrasts with Macbeth’s increasingly corrupt thoughts. Although ambitious, Banquo values his honour above all.


Suspicious of Macbeth Some commentators question why Banquo fails to act against Macbeth. However, he never has any concrete evidence thatMacbeth killedDuncan.He only suspectsMacbeth. InAct 3, Scene 1 Banquo says:


‘Thou hast it now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, As the weird women promised, and, I fear, Thou play’dst most foully for’t’


His suspicions and implied condemnation align him with the forces of good within the play.


Virtuous Like Macbeth, Banquo is initially presented as a loyal subject of Scotland who risked his life on the battlefield. Duncan looks upon him favourably and commends his nobility: ‘Noble Banquo, That hast no less deserved, nor must be known No less to have done so – let me enfold thee And hold thee to my heart’ (Act 1, Sc 4)


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Banquo is later identified as a virtuous figure in his reaction to the murder of Duncan. At first he expresses his shock but he quickly calls for an investigation to root out treason: ‘In the great hand of God I stand; and thence / Against the undivulged pretence I fight / Of treasonous malice’ (Act 2, Sc 3). As a virtuous individual he aligns himself with God and the need to uncover the truth. According to Macbeth, Banquo possesses many virtues and kingly qualities. It is this aspect of his personality that encourages Macbeth to fear him:


Macbeth


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