Comparison of Banquo in "Macbeth" to Banko in "Scotland, PA"

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Macbeth

The portrayal of Anthony "Banko" Banconi in Scotland, PA differs a bit from Macbeth's Banquo. Scotland PA's Banko appears dim-witted at first, but in the end is the one who aids McDuff in solving the crime involving the murder of Duncan, even when it means betraying his best friend.

In Shakespeare's original Macbeth, Banquo was portrayed as an intelligent individual capable of making rational decisions. After meeting the three witches and asking about his future, he was able to understand after a few days of thinking that the prophecies given were potentially very dangerous. Both, Macbeth and himself should actually be worrying and not trying to achieve these prophecies. Even though Banquo was being tempted by the witches' insight, these temptations only appeared in his dreams, "I dreamt last night of the three Weird Sisters" (Shakespeare 51), while Macbeth says that he "thinks not of them" (Shakespeare 51) even though it is apparent he is focused on becoming King. Once Banquo realizes that these witches were correct in their prophecy toward Macbeth, he began to pl...

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