SYNOPSIS
Macbeth and Banquo, generals in the service of Duncan, King of Scotland, are returning victorius from battle when they are hailed by three witches who prophesy that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and then King of Scotland. The first part of the prophecy is soon fulfilled when Duncan rewards Macbeth's loyal service: encouraged by this, and playing on her husband's ambition, Lady Macbeth persuades him to murder Duncan while he is a guest at their casle. Malcom, Duncan's son and heir, flees to England for safety.
Macbeth, now king of Scotland, has Banquo murdered in an attempt to secure his own position, but Banquo's ghost appears to him at a banquet.

Macbeth visits the witches again. They warn him to beware of Macduff, a noble who has also fled to England, but assure him that he cannot be harmed by any man born of woman. Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff's wife an children.

In England Macduff and Malcom raise an army and march against Macbeth but he, armed with the witches' prophecy, believes himself to be invincible. As his enemies draw nearer, Macbeth learns that his wife is dead and, despie te witches' words, he himself is killed by Macduff. Malcom is crowned King of Scotland.

(Source: RSC Programme)

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION: Banquo
...We are led to the proper, though illogical, inference that it is more wicked to kill Banquo than to have killed Duncan.... Banquo is considerably more individualized than Duncan. Not only is he a good man, but we have seen him in action as a good man, and we know a good deal more about him. We saw his reaction to the witches, and we know that he has resisted temptations similar to those Macbeth is yelding to. We have heard him in soliloquy, that infallible guide to inner qualities.

(Source: Shakespeare's Tragic Villain, by Wayne Booth)