The Character of Banquo in "Macbeth"

Sketch the character of Banquo

The character of Banquo has been conceived as a foil to that of Macbeth. He is, like Macbeth, a brave soldier and a successful General. Both Ross and the wounded soldier praised both Macbeth and Banquo as brave and courageous Generals.

Banquo is essentially honest and noble man. He is also tempted like Macbeth, but he does not give way to temptation. Like Macbeth, Banquo is also ambitious, but he does not act to realize his ambition. According to Stopford Brooke, Banquo is the noblest character in the play. Macbeth pays a high tribute to his nobility:

Our fears in Banquo

Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature

Reigns that which would be feared; it is much he dares

And, to that dauntless temper of is mind,

He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour

To act in safety.

Because he has no guilty conscience as he is not ‘startled’ like Macbeth, by the prophecy of the witches. He remains quite calm and unaffected by their words. He understands their true nature, and says,

But it is strange:

And often times, to win us to our harm,

The instruments of darkeners tell us truths,

Win us with honest trifles, to betray us,

In deepest consequence.

He is a noble, honourable man and when Macbeth tells him that, if he will cleave to his counsel, “it shall make honour for you”, he replies,

So I lose none

In seeking to augment it, but still keep

My bosom franchised and allegiance clear

I shall be counseled.

However, it will be wrong to say that he remains honourable throughout. He is essentially honourable, but thoughts of guilt do enter his mind. That is why A. C. Bradely regards him as, “more truly than Macbeth, the victim of the witches”. Banquo alone knows of the prophecy of witches. He alone suspects Macbeth but still he does nothing to bring him to book. Moreover, he accepts Macbeth’s accession. He goes to Scone for Macbeth’s coronation. In one of Banquo’s famous soliloquies he reveals that he fears that Macbeth has, “played most foully” for the throne, but still he does not speak a word against him and the reasons is….

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.

The poison of the witches has worked upon him, and the innocent man of the earlier scenes gives way to temptation. His punishment comes more swiftly. The early death saves him from any further fall. He could get no time to act for fulfilling the prophecy of the witches.

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