Banquo’s Jealousy: Quotes in Macbeth

Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is a tragedy that explores the themes of ambition, power, and jealousy. One of the characters who experiences jealousy throughout the play is Banquo, a loyal and honorable friend of Macbeth. Banquo’s jealousy is evident through his thoughts and actions, as well as the quotes attributed to him. In this essay, we will analyze some of Banquo’s jealousy quotes in Macbeth and discuss how they contribute to the overall theme of jealousy in the play.

Act 1, Scene 3

One of the first instances of Banquo’s jealousy is evident in Act 1, Scene 3, when he expresses his suspicions about the witches’ prophecy. Banquo says, “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” (Shakespeare, 1.3.123-126). In this quote, Banquo is acknowledging the truth of the witches’ prophecy, but he is also wary of their intentions. His jealousy is rooted in the fear that the witches’ prophecy will come true for Macbeth, but not for himself. He is envious of Macbeth’s potential to become king, and he is also suspicious of the supernatural forces at play.

Act 2, Scene 1

In Act 2, Scene 1, Banquo’s jealousy becomes more pronounced as he reflects on the witches’ prophecy and Macbeth’s sudden rise to power. He says, “Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, As the weird women promised, and I fear Thou play’dst most foully for’t” (Shakespeare, 3.1.1-3). In this quote, Banquo is directly addressing Macbeth and expressing his suspicion that Macbeth has achieved his newfound status through deceitful means. Banquo’s jealousy is evident in his disbelief that Macbeth has attained everything the witches promised, while he himself has not seen any of the benefits of the prophecy come true for him.

Act 3, Scene 1

In Act 3, Scene 1, Banquo’s jealousy is further highlighted when he discusses his own ambitions and the potential threat that Macbeth poses to him. He says, “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” (Shakespeare, 3.1.1-4). In this quote, Banquo is reflecting on the witches’ prophecy that his descendants will become kings. He is envious of Macbeth’s current position as king and is also fearful that Macbeth will try to eliminate any potential threats to his throne, including Banquo and his descendants. This quote reveals the depth of Banquo’s jealousy and his concern for his own future and his family’s legacy.

Act 3, Scene 3

Finally, in Act 3, Scene 3, Banquo’s jealousy reaches its peak as he confronts Macbeth about his suspicions regarding the murder of King Duncan. He says, “Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, As the weird women promised, and I fear Thou play’dst most foully for’t” (Shakespeare, 3.1.1-3). In this quote, Banquo is directly accusing Macbeth of foul play and expressing his jealousy and resentment towards Macbeth’s newfound power and success. Banquo’s jealousy ultimately leads to his demise, as Macbeth sees him as a threat and orders his murder.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Banquo’s jealousy is a prominent theme in Macbeth, as evidenced by his thoughts and actions throughout the play. His jealousy is rooted in his desire for power and his suspicions about the supernatural forces at play. The quotes attributed to Banquo reveal his envy of Macbeth’s rise to power and his fear for his own future and his descendants. Ultimately, Banquo’s jealousy leads to his downfall, as he becomes a threat to Macbeth and is murdered as a result. Banquo’s jealousy quotes in Macbeth contribute to the overall theme of jealousy in the play and highlight the destructive consequences of envy and ambition.