What is the importance of Banquo in Shakespeare's play Macbeth?

        As the story goes on, Macbeth is made Thane of Cawdor, not long after the witches had made their prophecies. Banquo resists from this but his suspicion grows even stronger, even Macbeth cannot believe the prophecies are coming true, “What can the Devil speak true” states Macbeth. Later in the story, Macbeth succumbs to the prophecies and their possibilities; he cannot hide away from what the witches have said. He becomes even more curious and tempted than he was at the beginning. “Stars hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires” This is an important quote showing Macbeth’s true character, a traitorous enemy to all those who stand before him   As Macbeth plans to kill Duncan, he spends a lot of time planning of how to rid of the King. At first he is not in favour of doing the deed to someone so honourable as King Duncan, but Lady Macbeth convinces him it is the right thing to do if he is to fulfil his ambitions. Once he kills Duncan, he frames the guards outside Duncan’s quarters, and he even kills them himself in front of everyone to make the illusion that he is innocent. This shows he will even risk lives of other people to cover himself up.

        When all of the people find out about Duncan’s death, Banquo’s suspicion grows even stronger, how can the witches speak true? Banquo’s suspicion is shown in the following quote “Thou hast it now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, all what the weird women promis’d; and I fear, Thou play’dst most foully for’t” This quote shows that Banquo is now suspicious of Macbeth, suspicious that the prophecies have not come true on their own, the have accumulated with the help of Macbeth. Even though Banquo knows about the witches, he doesn’t tell anybody. There could be a number of reasons for this, one would be he is afraid of association with the witches, and if he told anyone, they may think he is crazy. Another reason is he trusts Macbeth that much that he still believes this should be happening to him. Finally, perhaps Banquo is now scared of Macbeth, and if he tells anyone of the meeting, Macbeth may find out, and now that he is King, he has the power to dispose of any man or woman with a reason. No matter what reason it is, it goes down as another flaw in Banquo’s character.

        Soon after his coronation, Macbeth decides that Banquo is becoming too suspicious of him and decides to have him killed. The last conversation between the two men is powerful. Both men are speaking, Banquo is asked if he is out that night, he agrees. This shows that Macbeth is trying to find a suitable place to kill Banquo off. Later in the conversation Macbeth says, “I wish your horses swift and sure of foot; and I do command you to their backs, Farewell” This quote is powerful, because Macbeth now knows what is forthcoming for Banquo, but Banquo doesn’t suspect that Macbeth would murder him.

        Once Banquo is killed, Macbeth thinks all his worries are over, that no one can now stand in his way. But he is very wrong, Banquo’s presence continues after the murder. During the time when Banquo was murdered, his son Fleance managed to escape, this re-enforces the prophecy made by the witches, “thou shalt get kings, but thou be none” Not long after the murder of Banquo, Macbeth arranges a banquet to celebrate his coronation, he is in good spirits until he decides to sit at the table. In the seat where Macbeth is supposed to sit, sits the ghost of Banquo, bloodied and scarred. This sends Macbeth into hysterics, he seems overcome by the sight of Banquo, but is it really Banquo? Or Macbeth’s guilty conscience?

        Towards the end of the story, Macbeth finds out that there are more prophecies, he cannot be killed by a man born of woman, and his reign will end when the wood of Dunsinane Hill comes towards him. After hearing this Macbeth feels immortal, unbeatable, as he has not looked far enough into the prophecies, this will bring the end of him.

        Firstly Macduff arrives to bring his reign to an end, as a shield, his army cut down the trees of Dunsinane and used them as a disguise. When Macbeth saw this, he froze, the prophecies were once again correct, his reign will end when Dunsisnane comes to him. But never the less, Macbeth is prepared to defend himself. In the final fight scene, Macbeth fights with Macduff, feeling immortal to the prophecies, he does not realise how Macduff was born. He was born of caesarean, and not born of woman. Now knowing this, Macbeth’s ambitions are destroyed, and he is killed by Macduff.

        The major part of this is that Banquo has the ‘last laugh’ as he is presented as the hero whilst Macbeth is shown as the villainous man he was.