Banquo’s friendship with Macbeth is very strong, he confides in him and at the beginning is always seen with him. Banquo is firstly introduced into the play with Macbeth, as they come across the witches. In Banquo’s first speech he says about the witches,
“So withered, and so wild in their attire, that look not like th’ inhabitants o’ th’ earth, and yet are on’t”.
This immediately shows us that Banquo is very perceptive and notices the difference between good and evil. Macbeth, however, says at first
“Speak if you can” this shows us the comparison between him and Banquo. Macbeth being ‘evil’ inside is hungry for the unknown (the future) whereas Banquo is more willing to take it as it comes; this is evident when Banquo says,
“If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear your favours nor your hate.”
Macbeth however says, “tell me more”.
When Macbeth kills king Duncan, Banquo becomes suspicious of him and tells the audience this in a soliloquy that he suspects that Macbeth became king by foul means. However Banquo remains loyal to Macbeth. Conversely, Macbeth murdered Banquo and tried to kill his son in an attempt to change the witches’ prediction of Banquo’s sons becoming heir. Banquo’s comment about “becoming the borrower of the night” comes true in a way neither he nor Macbeth expects. Banquo ‘borrowed’ time from darkness to return and haunt Macbeth. In a similar way Macbeth has ‘borrowed’ from dark forces of chaos. Macbeth fears Banquo, as he is a clever, brave and wise man, he also sees him as a “poisonous snake” who could leak the truth. Macbeth sees his time on the throne as ‘barren’ because Banquo’s children will be heir to it; Macbeths ‘seeds’ will not grow, but Banquo’s will. This is why Macbeth murders him. Macbeth believes he can see Banquo’s ghost at the banquet, he throws the calm and organised atmosphere into turmoil in the same way as his reign as king will throw Scotland into chaos. We believe that these visions are caused by guilt and by Banquo’s feelings of betrayal. Macbeth’s immediate denial to the ghost of its killings shows us how Macbeth’s guilt gets to him. The disruption of the banquet shows how Banquo can affect Macbeth from the grave and how the overwhelming effect of Banquo’s goodness seeks to destroy Macbeth; it shows how the forces of goodness represented by Banquo disturb his conscious. Lady Macbeth instantly covers up for him before the guests, and secretly calls him a coward, to try and convince him that there is nothing to be afraid of. Banquo’s ghost does not say anything at the banquet scene, but Macbeth’s instant denial tells us how he reacts simultaneously to the visions and guilt.
Banquo’s relationship is not shown in full light with the other characters, however his character provides a good ‘role model’ for Macbeth to be compared to; Macbeth destroys this. We see Banquo’s character as being extremely perceptive and intelligent; he shares his thoughts with the audience about Macbeth
“Thou hast it now, king, Cawdor, Glamis, all the weird women promised and I fear thou play’dst totally for’t”.
Banquo’s moral awareness emphasises Macbeths developing moral bankruptcy.
