Macbeth and Banquo Thoughts behind the text Chris Warren

MACBETH To-night we hold a solemn supper sir, And I'll request your presence. BANQUO Let your highness Command upon me; to the which my duties Are with a most indissoluble tie For ever knit. Better make it look like I want him to come Is he giving me an order? Sounds sincere enough. But is he overdoing it? I’ll try to get some information out of him. Should convince him that I mean it. Actually I ‘d rather be anywhere than here!

MACBETH Ride you this afternoon? BANQUO Ay, my good lord. MACBETH We should have else desired your good advice, Which still hath been both grave and prosperous, In this day's council; but we'll take to-morrow. Is't far you ride? Keep it brief. Tell him nothing. I don’t trust those eyes. Again I’ve got to cover my tracks. Actually I WANT him to go riding, so that I can kill him well away from the castle. But flattering him makes it look like I want him to stay. It also disguises my questions which might make him awkward and suspicious. I’ll try to get some more out of him. Insincere. He doesn’t mean a word of it. More questions! What’s the old fox after?

BANQUO As far, my lord, as will fill up the time 'Twixt this and supper: go not my horse the better, I must become a borrower of the night For a dark hour or twain. MACBETH Fail not our feast. BANQUO My lord, I will not. MACBETH We hear, our bloody cousins are bestow'd In England and in Ireland, not confessing Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers With strange invention: but of that to-morrow, When therewithal we shall have cause of state Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse: adieu, Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you? Why is Banquo so keen to go? Good. That settles the plan. Keep it brief. Why can’t he get the hint that I’m itching to go! Got to get him to ride BACK to the castle, and then I’ll get him killed on his return journey. Got to keep him talking. Hmm. Why’s he suddenly changing the subject? ! I suppose I’ve got to obey. Could he be getting the message? ! Tell him plenty but tell him nothing. Suitably weighty subjects. I’ll lull him into a false sense of security, seem to be keeping him in the loop, and then I’ll spring my main question. Slip in the Fleance question now.

BANQUO Ay, my good lord: our time does call upon 's. MACBETH I wish your horses swift and sure of foot; And so I do commend you to their backs. Farewell. Exit BANQUO BRILLIANT! Fleance is with him. I can get rid of both of them in one go! And again, he’s too keen to be off! Wouldn’t be so keen if he knew what was in store for him and his precious little brat. Oh come ON!! Why doesn’t he just say I hope your horses break their necks! I’m out of here. No more false goodbyes! Keep your true feelings hidden. That’s the way!

Created by Chris Warren for NATE © 2010 This resource may be copied for use in educational institutions. Please retain the NATE logo, copyright notice and the link to our website: For further information on copying and using this resource, and for more materials, see