Banquo

Question 1

My noble partner

Answer 1

Who? Banquo about Macbeth
What? Serves to illustrate Banquo’s loyalty and devotion

Question 2

My bosom franchised and my allegiance clear

Answer 2

Who? Banquo to Macbeth
What? This line helps to hint at the two characters changing life-paths. Banquo is suspicious of the lengths Macbeth will go to to obtain power, and says that he will be on his side… but that he will not do anything which will compromise his allegiance to the King. Banquo wishes to keep his conscience clean.

Question 3

What, can the devil speak true?

Answer 3

Who? Banquo
What?
On hearing that Macbeth is to be named Thane of Cawdor, Banquo’s immediate and natural reaction is to link the witches to the devil. To the Jacobeans, a witch was someone who had sworn an allegiance to Satan, so his response would resonate with the contemporary audience.

Question 4

Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, as the weird women promised, and, I fear, thou play’dst most foully for’t

Answer 4

Who? Banquo to Macbeth
What? Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth’s role in King Duncan’s death. The particular words “thou has it now” and “played’st most foully” are associated with the concepts of betrayal and ambition. The words “thou has it now” refer to Macbeth’s title as king of Scotland, which was the position he desired that awakened his ambition. Betrayal is demonstrated in Macbeth’s crime of assassinating King Duncan.