“Thou hast it now… and I fear / Thou play’dst most foully for’t.”
Banquo suspects Macbeth murdered Duncan. Shows Macbeth’s reputation is
unstable and foreshadows conflict.
“To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus.”
Macbeth feels insecure as king. Paranoia now drives him—kingship brings no peace.
“Our fears in Banquo stick deep.”
Macbeth sees Banquo as a threat because of the witches’ prophecy. His obsession
reveals growing instability.
“Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown.”
“Fruitless” shows his kingship is empty because he has no heir. He resents the
prophecy promising Banquo’s line future power.
“Mine eternal jewel / Given to the common enemy of man.”
Macbeth believes he has sold his soul (“eternal jewel”) to the devil. Shows his
moral corruption and religious imagery.
“We have scorched the snake, not killed it.”
“Snake” symbolises threats to his power. Macbeth feels insecure even after killing Duncan.
“O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!”
Violent imagery shows mental torment and paranoia. Macbeth’s guilt is
psychologically destructive.
“Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck.”
Macbeth shuts Lady Macbeth out of his plans. Power dynamic shifts—Macbeth is
now the dominant one.
