banquo acts

Question 1

Banquo in act 1

Answer 1

He is introduced as brave and noble, and is initially an close ally with Macbeth. However, his reaction to the witches’ prophecies sets him apart from Macbeth as he is more cautious and skeptical.
He is the foil of Macbeth.

Question 2

Banquo in act 2

Answer 2

Banquo struggles to sleep, as he dreams of the witches, perhaps foreshadowing the upcoming events. At the news of the king’s death, he is distraught and hopes that it isn’t true. His lack of suspicion of Macbeth demonstrates his trust.

Question 3

Banquo in act 3

Answer 3

He attends Macbeth’s coronation and leaves to go riding with his son, promising Macbeth that he will return, which demonstrates his strong bond that he believed he had with Macbeth. However, this bond was broken after Macbeth betrays Banquo by sending assassins to murder him and his son, Fleance. Banquo dies but Fleance flees.

Question 4

Banquo in act 4

Answer 4

Banquo appears as a ghost at the banquet, further fuelling Macbeth’s fear. This could be elaborated as either a hallucination that Macbeth has due to the guilt and fear of his crimes, or it could be due to the supernatural.

Question 5

Banquo in act 5

Answer 5

His absence in this act shows how his legacy continues, contrasting with Macbeth’s failure.