What were Banquo's thoughts in Act 3 Scene 1?

Answer 1

In Act 3 Scene 1 of the Shakespearean play, Banquo was thinking about the witches' predictions for him and Macbeth [c. 1014-August 15, 1057]. He recalled first that the predictions had come true for Macbeth. Macbeth had gained a powerful noble title as Thane of Cawdor and then an even more powerful royal title as King of Scotland. Banquo considered that prediction as having come true with the help of foul means by Macbeth. Banquo recalled second that the witches had addressed him as father to a long line of kings. He considered it likely that the predictions could come true for him and his family line as well. Whatever direction he was heading with the thought was interrupted by Macbeth's arrival and greeting.

Answer 2

Banquo's opening speech occurred in Act 1 Scene 3 Lines 39-47. He started out asking friend and fellow General Macbeth [c. 1014-August 15, 1057] the distance to the royal palace at Forres. But he quickly was distracted, and went off on a tangent. That distraction was what the rest of his speech revealed. Banquo was one of two people to whom the three witches made their presence known. No other mortals in the Shakespearean play were allowed to see any of the supernatural beings. This meant that supernatural meddling in mortal afffairs would have specifically dire consequences for Banquo and Macbeth. As Banquo realized in Lines 123-126, it tended not to bode well when supernaturals crossed over into the human world and the lives of mortals. Indeed, the consequences were tragic for Macbeth and his wife. With Banquo, the consequences were reversed with his family line ultimately inheriting the throne of Scotland.