Is Banque a foil to Macbeth? Support your answer.
The main function of Banquo in
the play Macbeth is to suggest a contrast with Macbeth. The difference
of the characters is fundamental and is prominent in the very difference of
their reactions to the predictions of the witches. Both are greeted by the
witches. They predict glorious future for both. Macbeth takes the words of the
witches seriously but Banquo takes them with indifference. He dismisses them as
“bubbles on the earth,” as “instruments of darkness.” When the part of the prophecy is fulfilled, Macbeth
is greatly agitated, is rapt and broods. Banquo is sceptical about the truth of
what the witches have said, and he calls them devils, “what, can the devils
speak true?” He asserts to Macbeth that the agents of evil begin with easy
promises but later they will betray in deepest consequences. He notices Macbeth’s
‘rapt’ condition and tries to warn him against the temptation. But he is
oppressed by the ‘cursed thoughts’ of the witches.
The fulfillment of some
predictions in the case of Macbeth sets Banquo up in hope for the fulfillment
in his case too. But he invokes ‘merciful powers’- the good angels to restrain
his evil thoughts. Thus instead of yielding to the ‘horrid image’, he prays to
be delivered from it. But Macbeth yields to the temptation, and even thinks of
murder.
Banquo is honest and frank. He is also disturbed by ‘cursed thoughts’ but he fights them with determination. He dreams of the weird sisters and frankly confesses it to Macbeth. But Macbeth conceals his heart from him and speaks the falsehood.
