In this deck, we'll analyse the character of Banquo in Shakespeare's Macbeth. We will explore his role as Macbeth's loyal friend and, crucially, his moral foil. You will learn the key quotations that reveal his wisdom, his suspicion of Macbeth, and his connection to the play's major themes of ambition, loyalty, and fate.

When Macbeth and Banquo first meet the witches, their reactions are completely different. While Macbeth is captivated by the prophecies, Banquo is skeptical and cautious. He questions their very existence, calling them 'bubbles'. This immediately establishes him as a thoughtful and grounded character, unlike the easily swayed Macbeth.

Banquo's role as a moral compass is vital. Even though the witches also give him a prophecy—that his children will be kings—he doesn't rush to act on it. Instead, he worries that these supernatural predictions might lead to evil. He serves as the voice of reason and morality that Macbeth chooses to ignore.