That, trusted home,
Might yet enkindle you unto the crown,
Besides the thane of Cawdor. But ‘tis strange.
And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s
In deepest consequence.
In Act 1, scene 3, Banquo muses on the events of the last few minutes: just as the Witches predicted, Macbeth has been named Thane of Cawdor. Banquo notes that just because the Witches told the truth doesn’t mean that they’re not evil. Banquo understands far earlier than Macbeth that the Witches don’t necessarily have Macbeth’s best interests in mind, and their prophecies may turn out to be less positive than Macbeth believes.
Thou has it no king, Cawdor, Glamis, all.
As the weird women promised, and I fear
Thou played’st most foully for ‘t. Yet it was said
It should not stand in thy posterity,
But that myself should be the root and father
Of many kings. If there come truth from them –
As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine –
Why, by the verities on thee made good,
May they not be my oracles as well,
And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.
In Act 3, scene 1, Banquo’s soliloquy reveals that he is suspicious of Macbeth, who, in becoming king, has achieved all that the Witches promised for him. Banquo senses that Macbeth engaged in foul play in order to make the Witches’ prophecy come true. While the idea that Macbeth may have murdered Duncan fills Banquo with fear, the thought also gives Banquo hope that what the Witches predicted for him will come true. He doesn’t realize that in order for his sons to become king, he will have to die.
O treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!
Thou may’st revenge – O slave!
These lines are Banquo’s dying words, as he is slaughtered by the murderers Macbeth has hired in Act 3, scene 3. In his dying breaths, Banquo urges his son, Fleance, to flee to safety, and charges him to someday revenge his father’s death. This sets the stage how the play will end, when Macbeth realizes that the Witches’ prophecy will come true, and Banquo’s children will rule Scotland.
FAQs
Quotes
- “Good sir, why do you start; and seem to fear things that do sound so fair?”
- “Were such things here as we do speak about? ...
- “What, can the devil speak true?”
- “And oftentimes, to win us to our harm the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray's in deepest consequence.”
Banquo says that the king is asleep and mentions that he had a dream about the “three weird sisters.” When Banquo suggests that the witches have revealed “some truth” to Macbeth, Macbeth claims that he has not thought of them at all since their encounter in the woods (2.1.
What does Macbeth say about Banquo in Act 3 Scene 1? ›
Once the servant has gone, Macbeth begins a soliloquy. He muses on the subject of Banquo, reflecting that his old friend is the only man in Scotland whom he fears. He notes that if the witches' prophecy is true, his will be a “fruitless crown,” by which he means that he will not have an heir (3.1.62).
What does Banquo say to Macbeth? ›
In Act 1 Scene 3, Banquo cautions Macbeth that the Witches can Win us with honest trifles, to betray's / In deepest consequence (lines 124–5).
What does Banquo say in his monologue? ›
BANQUO Thou hast it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, as the Weird Women promis'd; and, I fear, thou play'dst most foully for't; yet it was said it should not stand in thy posterity ;1 but that myself should be the root and father of many kings.
What does Banquo say to witches? ›
Macbeth's first words ("So foul and fair a day I have not seen") ironically recall the Witches' "foul is fair" in Scene 1, but Banquo is the first to spot the weird sisters, remarking on the Witches' ambiguous and confused appearance: They "look not like the inhabitants of the earth, / And yet are on it"; they seem to ...
What does Banquo say in Act 2? ›
Banquo has been unable to sleep and explains to Macbeth that he has been dreaming of the weird sisters. After arranging to meet again in order to discuss the matter, Banquo asserts his allegiance to the king and bids good night to Macbeth. No sooner is Macbeth alone, than he has an extraordinary experience.
What does Banquo do in Act 3 Scene 1? ›
Banquo suspects Macbeth but gains comfort from the second part of the Witches' prediction — that his own children will be kings. Having announced his intention to go riding with Fleance, Banquo is persuaded by the Macbeths to return later that evening to their new palace at Forres for a special feast.
What does Banquo want in Act 3 Scene 1? ›
Macbeth Act 3 Scene 1 Summary
In Forres palace, Banquo was wondering about the Three Witches' prophecy and came to think that Macbeth might conduct foul play to become a king, as the prophecy said that the kings would be from his lines.
What is Banquo's most important quote? ›
Thou may'st revenge – O slave! These lines are Banquo's dying words, as he is slaughtered by the murderers Macbeth has hired in Act 3, scene 3. In his dying breaths, Banquo urges his son, Fleance, to flee to safety, and charges him to someday revenge his father's death.
Act 3 Scene 3
The murderers attack Banquo and Fleance. Fleance manages to escape and Banquo shouts after him, 'Thou mayst revenge!' and Banquo is killed.
How does Banquo react to the prophecies Act 1 Scene 3? ›
Macbeth and Banquo are starting to wonder if there really might be something to the witches' prophecies. But Banquo's a little worried, too: couldn't the witches be agents of evil, sent to lead them to their own demise? Maybe. But Macbeth, muttering to himself, begins to imagine that he actually could become king.
What thoughts does Banquo reveal in Act 3? ›
He notes that all of the prophecies for Macbeth have come true; however, he wonders if Macbeth "played foully" or cheated his way into the kingship. Banquo also wonders if the prophecy about his own sons being kings might become true, putting this at the forefront of this act as a focal point.
What does Macbeth ask of Banquo at the beginning of Act 2? ›
What does Macbeth ask of Banquo at the beginning of Act 2 ? He asks Banquo to support him in fulfilling the prophecies.
Is Banquo good or evil? ›
Banquo is in many ways Macbeth's opposite. He is kind and caring, loyal and trustworthy. Like Macbeth he fights bravely for King Duncan but does not involve himself with the murder plot. When he and Fleance are attacked his first thought is to keep his son safe.
What are Banquo's thoughts on Macbeth in Act 3? ›
Banquo has been feeling vigilant towards Macbeth because he feels that he cheated his way into becoming King. In act 3 scene 1 Banquo says “Now you have it all: you're the king, the thane of Cawdor, and the thane of Glamis, just like the weird women promised you. And I suspect you cheated to win these titles”.
How many lines does Banquo have? ›
Speeches (Lines) for Banquo. in "Macbeth" Total: 33.
How would you describe Banquo in 3 words? ›
Banquo is in many ways Macbeth's opposite. He is kind and caring, loyal and trustworthy.
How is Banquo presented in Act 1 Scene 3? ›
Banquo seems unsure, and comments that "instruments of darkness" sometimes tell half truths to bring men to ruin. Banquo guesses the witches' plot exactly. This means that when Macbeth chooses to believe the witches and act, he knows the risks. Get the entire Macbeth LitChart as a printable PDF.
