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How does Banquo's state of mind change in the play Macbeth?

Banquo isn’t that concerned when he first sees the witches talk to Macbeth. His reaction is a combination of puzzlement and amusement. He has a prophesy related to him, too, and he is not at all interested in taking it to heart. Banquo is only slightly concerned about Macbeth’s reaction because he doesn’t believe Macbeth will take the strange bearded women seriously, thinking only those who have "eaten on the insane root" would do so (Act I, Scene 3).

Eventually, Banquo does start to suspect Macbeth. He has a dream about the witches. The king is killed. Things seem to go from bad to worse in Scotland, and Banquo thinks Macbeth is behind it all, saying,



Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,
As the weird women promised, and, I fear,
Thou play'dst 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 (Act III, Scene 1).



Macbeth and Banquo know each other well. Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth, and Macbeth is suspicious of Banquo. Macbeth knows Banquo heard the prophecies. He knows one of the prophecies said Banquo’s sons would be king. Macbeth decides Banquo is too dangerous to be kept alive.


Banquo seems to try to keep it cool around Macbeth so as to avoid arousing his suspicion. When Macbeth asks Banquo if he is coming to the banquet, Banquo says he will. Macbeth really just wants to make sure he knows where Banquo and his son Fleance will be so he can kill them both. Macbeth will send the hired assassins out, have Banquo and Fleance killed, and the prophecy about Banquo’s sons won’t matter. 


Unfortunately for Macbeth, while Banquo is killed, Fleance escapes. It may speak more to Macbeth’s state of mind than Banquo’s, but Banquo’s ghost comes to the banquet. It depends on whether you believe in ghosts. If you believe that really was Banquo’s ghost, and not Macbeth’s guilt, it definitely shows Banquo’s state of mind. He would have been very angry at being murdered!

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