Who Is Banquo In Shakespeare's Macbeth?

His ambition does not become overbearing until it is fueled by Lady Macbeth's own ambition. Macbeth's ambition is in sharp contrast to Banquo. Banquo comes across as much more hesitant to accept the witches prophesy. This contrast was created for a specific reason - to highlight Macbeth's tragic flaw. "One critical perspective views Banquo's function as essentially symbolic: he is portrayed as a man who, like Macbeth, has the capacity for both God's grace and sin; but unlike the protagonist, he puts little stock in the Weird Sisters, prophecies and does not succumb to their temptations. Banquo's reluctance to dwell on the witchs' predictions therefore underscores, by contrast, the nature of Macbeth's descent into evil." (Scott; 238) Banquo does not have the same overbearing ambition as Macbeth and therefor is able to reason with the situation. Banquo's logic is most prevalently seen in the following quote:

His next targets are Banquo and Fleance. Macbeth hires murderers to kill them both. The murderers successfully kill Banquo but Fleance escapes. Macbeth becomes king and hosts a banquet. The guilt comes back. Macbeth acknowledges. “When now I think you can behold such sights, and keep the natural ruby of your cheeks, when mine is blanch’d with fear” (3.4.45). Macbeth thinks everyone at the table can see Banquo’s ghost when really he is the only one who sees it. Everyone is confused and concerned because Macbeth is going crazy and practically yelling at an empty chair. Macbeth almost spills the truth that he was the one who arranged Banquo’s death. Also, Lady Macbeth claims that, “I pray you, speak not; he grows worse and worse; Question enrages him; at once, good night: stand not upon the order of your going, but go at once” (3.4.45). Lady Macbeth tries to cover the up the outburst by telling their quests that Macbeth is not well. She knows that the guilt is taking over him because he initially did not want to kill

Banquo's declaration of allegiance also allows for proof towards his unchanging ideals, whereas immorality and blind ambition poison Macbeth?s thoughts. Macbeth describes his fear of Banquo shrewdly in that they ?stick deep, and his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared. ?Tis much he dares he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor to act in safety? (III.i). Macbeth concludes his friend has remained his pure self and therefore is his moral antithesis. Banquo continues to hold a much clearer grip on life and real quality as a man in comparison to Macbeth, hence, Macbeth is forced to kill him if he is to follow through with his plan and go down a dark road.

The main interest of the character of Banquo arises from the changes that take place in him, and from the influence of the witches upon him. And it is curious that Shakespeare's intention here is so frequently missed. Banquo being at first strongly contrasted with Macbeth, as an innocent man with a

After everyone has found out that the king is dead Banquo suspects Macbeth of doing something to make the witches predictions that they ways saying to become true. At that time Macbeth is king so he turns on his best friend Banquo and has him and all of his family including Fleance killed because he was the only person there when the predictions of Macbeth becoming king and also the witches said that Banquos son Fleance would become king too. So this shows that that Macbeth is getting over protective of his crown to the throne so he will do anything to stop people becoming king. So he will kill he’s best friend and his family only because the three withes said that predictions of Macbeth becoming king. So Macbeth is going into a downward spiral towards great darkness and becoming ever more evil from every action he makes and does to protect the crown.

The three prophecies, from the witches, say that Macbeth will be the Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and the king

Banquo’s ambition is unlike Macbeths and Lady Macbeths, his ambition does not drive him to kill. His ambition is he wants his son to become king, and he wants his son’s son to become king and so on. He does not quite know how to make his ambition successful but he knows that it is not worth killing for. Macbeth becomes jealous of Banquo’s ambition and Macbeths ambition drives him tell people to kill Banquo.

Banquo was a brave and noble general and at that time was a great friend of Macbeth. Like Macbeth, Banquo thinks of things in an ambitious way however he does not at all show the ambitious thoughts in his actions. In a sense, Banquo’s character stands as rebuke to Macbeth, in a way that shows the path Macbeth chose not to take, a path in which ambition need not lead to betrayal and murder. Banquo is often seen in contrast to Macbeth. Banquo is the only one with Macbeth when he hears the first

Macbeth views Banquo as a threat and rival to his becoming King. He decided that it was necessary to take action. Macbeth hired murderers to kill Banquo. The murderers killed

Banquo was with Macbeth when the witches had told them of the prophecies that were to come true. Macbeth realizes that Banquo is a true noble man, and that he is likely to piece together what is going on and could tell people that Macbeth was the real murderer. “Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared.” Here Macbeth speaks of the fear that he has of Banquo and the true manhood that he exhibits. Macbeth sinks as low as going to the deed of killing his own best friend out of fear and evilness.

After he is named king, Macbeth's misery and eventual downfall is caused by his own insecurities and misguided determination to take control of his future. Firstly, the witches' prophecy concerning Banquo's descendants and Macbeth's feeling of inferiority to Banquo lead Macbeth to arrange for the murder of Banquo and his son, Fleance. Having Banquo around him is a constant reminder to Macbeth of the evil deed he himself has committed and the knowledge that Banquo's, not Macbeth's children, will be

During Banquo’s time on Earth, he tried to keep Macbeth in line. However, just because Banquo dies does not mean Macbeth has rid himself of

Once Macbeth has obtained the title of king, he fears that his power is threatened by his foil, Banquo. Thus, he feels the urge to kill Banquo and young Fleance in order to maintain his status. Macbeth remarks, “To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! Rather than so, come fate into the list, And champion me to th' utterance” (III, I, 1079-1081). The witches once predicted that Banquo’s descendants will someday take Macbeth’s throne.

Fleance now fatherless and Banquo dead, Macbeth's ambition to stay the king affects them negatively, only because Banquo had over-heard too

In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth the male characters Macbeth, Macduff, Banquo and Duncan really give you and insight in to the time the play was written. Shakespeare’s Macbeth was written in the Elizabethan era during King James’ reign as King over 400 years ago.