Macbeth And Banquo Foil

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In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the minor character Banquo plays the role as a foil to Macbeth. Their contrasting personalities first appear in their reactions towards the three witches' prophecy. Macbeth acts on the prophecy while Banquo is rather cautious about the prophecy and does not act upon it. Immediately after the prophecy has been told, Banquo begins speaking noticing how Macbeth is silent. Banquo says, "he seems rapt withal" (I.III.60). Macbeth silently ponders about what the witches had said and tries to understand how this could be plausible. Macbeth asks the witches how he will become king and immediately becomes power hungry. He begins to come to the conclusion he might even have to murder the king to fulfill the

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