Throughout Shakespeare's Macbeth, Banquo is a foil to Macbeth. Banquo's logic and restraint contrasts Macbeth's erupting ambition and recklessness. Shakespeare created two opposite characters, Banquo and Macbeth who server to foil each other. A foil is someone or something that serves to contrast another; Banquo and Macbeth foil each other. Macbeth is eager, determined, and aggressive. Banquo is reserved, calm, rational and cautious.
The play opens with Macbeth and Banquo returning from a battle with the Norwegians. They both receive very ambitious prophecies from the three witches. Banquo takes his prediction in half-jest and cautions Macbeth from placing too much faith in the witches. By the end of the play, Macbeth is convinced by the three weird witches and by his wife to fulfill the prophecies (that he will be thane of Glamis and king). Banquo and Macbeth react differently, Macbeth considers killing the king, and does, while Banquo calmly ignores such urges.
Lady Macbeth by George Cattermole.
English: Poster of Thos. W. Keene in William Shake...
Macbeth and Banquo with the Witches by Henry Fusel...Act I, scene two, sets the reckless and fast-paced mood for the rest of the play. a wounded captain tells King Duncan how Macbeth honorably killed Macdonwald and how he and Banquo later withstood an attack from the Norwegian King. Duncan sees Banquo and Macbeth as heroes and honorable soldiers. To reward "brave Macbeth"(act 1,sc.ii, 17) Duncan tells Ross to give the traitors former position ("Thane of Cawdor") to Macbeth. Macbeth and Banquo are both valiant soldiers and are nearly equals (their only difference is that Macbeth is credited with killing Macdonwald).
Scene iii is crucial to the rest of the play and to Banquo's role as Macbeth's foil. In this scene, the three witches greet Macbeth and Banquo with predictions for each: Macbeth is referred to as the "Thane of Cawdor"(which Ross has not yet delivered), the "Thane of Glamis" (his present...