Banquo is very perceptive as he senses the evil around Macbeth’s castle and tells Fleance about it.
‘And yet I would not sleep ; merciful powers,
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature
Gives way to in repose!’
Banquo is very suspicious of the way the crime had been carried out and it is he who suggests that they should,
‘ question this most bloody piece of work,
to know it further’
It is hard to deceive Banquo. Even though Macbeth was a close friend he suspects him and very subtly accuses him.
‘Thou hast it now : king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,
As the weird women promised, and, I fear,
Thou play'dst most foully for 't.’
Despite his suspicions Banquo serves the new king. Even though he suspects him of murdering the king he swears allegiance to him which shows a strange side in Banquos character
Banquo is also ambitious as he too wants to know what the witches have in store for him and later says,
‘by the verities on thee made good,
May they not be my oracles as well,
And set me up in hope?’
Banquos character as well as Macbeth's seems to undergo a deterioration but not to the same extent. He stays with and serves Macbeth who he suspects of murdering Duncan for selfish reasons. Banquo also talks to Macbeth with a hint of sycophancy . He says ‘Ay, my good lord’ on several occasions and ‘My Lord, I will not’.
This is very unlike the independent Banquo we knew at the beginning of the play.
Banquo is important in ‘Macbeth’ as he is a contrast to Macbeth. Macbeth’s hypocrisy, ambition and willing to stake everything, including his life, on the crown are contrasted by Banquo’s sincerity and ambition.
Apart from being a foil to Macbeth's plans, Banquo also serves as an important part of the plot. Banquo acts as Macbeth’s conscience. When Macbeth kills Banquo he hopes to kill his conscience. In the banquet scene the appearance of Banquo’s ghost shatters Macbeth’s confidence. The influence of Banquo reaches him from the grave.
