GCSE English Literature

Banquo Quotes4 essential quotes with full analysis.

Complete collection of Banquo's most important quotes for GCSE English Literature, including his warnings about the witches and his role as Macbeth's foil.

About Banquo

Banquo is a Scottish nobleman and Macbeth's fellow general. He is present when the witches deliver their prophecy - they predict his descendants will be kings, though he will not be one himself. Unlike Macbeth, Banquo does not act on the prophecy, remaining loyal to King Duncan.

Banquo serves as Macbeth's dramatic foil - his moral integrity highlights Macbeth's corruption. He is suspicious of the witches (“instruments of darkness”) and disturbed by “cursed thoughts” but resists temptation. Macbeth has him murdered, but Banquo's ghost returns to haunt him at the banquet, symbolizing Macbeth's guilt.

LoyaltyFoilSupernaturalProphecyGuilt

All Banquo Quotes

“Thou hast it now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, as the weird women promised, and I fear thou played'st most foully for't”
BanquoAct 3, Scene 1
BetrayalAmbitionCorruption

Context: Banquo's soliloquy reveals his suspicions about Macbeth.

Analysis

The listing emphasizes how completely the prophecy has been fulfilled. "Fear" shows Banquo suspects but hasn't acted. "Foully" creates wordplay with "fair is foul," linking Macbeth to the witches' moral corruption. His inaction despite suspicion makes him complicit.

Language Techniques:

ListingWordplaySoliloquy

Exam Tip

Banquo serves as a moral contrast to Macbeth - he resists temptation. Yet his silence makes him partly culpable.

“If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me”
BanquoAct 1, Scene 3
FateTimeProphecy

Context: Banquo asks the witches about his own future.

Analysis

The agricultural metaphor of "seeds of time" suggests the future is planted but not yet grown. Banquo is curious about fate but, unlike Macbeth, won't force events. His request is conditional ("if you can"), showing rational scepticism. He wants knowledge but won't act on it corruptly.

Language Techniques:

Extended metaphorNatural imageryConditional language

Exam Tip

Banquo's response to prophecy contrasts with Macbeth's. He is tempted but doesn't act on temptation.

“But 'tis strange: And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths”
BanquoAct 1, Scene 3
DeceptionEvilSupernatural

Context: Banquo warns Macbeth about trusting the witches.

Analysis

Banquo wisely recognises that evil can use truth as a trap. The witches' truths are bait to lead Macbeth to destruction. "Instruments of darkness" identifies them as evil's tools. This warning shows Banquo's wisdom - wisdom Macbeth ignores to his doom.

Language Techniques:

WarningPersonificationInsight

Exam Tip

Banquo sees through the witches' tactics. His wisdom makes his silence about Duncan's murder more culpable.

“Merciful powers, restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in repose”
BanquoAct 2, Scene 1
TemptationConscienceSupernatural

Context: Banquo prays for protection from dark thoughts before Duncan's murder.

Analysis

Banquo admits he is tempted by the prophecy ("cursed thoughts") but prays for strength to resist. Unlike Macbeth, he appeals to good powers against evil impulses. "Repose" (sleep) suggests these thoughts come unbidden. Banquo represents human resistance to temptation.

Language Techniques:

PrayerSelf-awarenessContrast

Exam Tip

Shows Banquo is also tempted but chooses to resist. Key difference from Macbeth's response to prophecy.

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