Foil

Banquo to Macbeth

Macbeth has many foils because he plays many roles in the play. Banquo is introduced with Macbeth, and shares his rank as one of the King's generals. Though Banquo is promised glory by the witches, he is immediately aware that they work for the Devil and their work, therefore, can't be any good. Rather than become obsessed with their prophetic promise, he thinks on it quietly and does nothing about it. It's important to note here that Banquo, up to his death, is always promising to discuss their meeting with the witches with Macbeth – later, when they both have time. While Banquo is thinking on it and always bringing it up, Macbeth is ignoring thought and instead acting on it. Even as he plots to kill Banquo, Macbeth notes that Banquo's noble nature is a rebuke to Macbeth's own (murdering) genius.

History Snack: In Holinshed's Chronicles (a major source text for the play) Banquo helps Macbeth murder the King. It seems important for Shakespeare to leave his Banquo untainted by the King's blood since King James I of England (a.k.a. King James VI of Scotland) traced his lineage back to the historical Banquo. (James sat on the throne when Macbeth was written.)

Duncan and Macduff as similar foils to Macbeth

Duncan and Macduff represent the noblest aspects of what Macbeth is not; Duncan is a kindly and compassionate ruler, while Macbeth is clearly more consumed with his own powers than the affairs of state. Macduff, unlike Macbeth, does not act rashly. Where Macbeth is inspired by suggestion, Macduff only acts in response to action. His family is murdered, so he takes revenge, which is decidedly different than Macbeth merely hearing that Macduff has fled, assuming he is a traitor, and having Macduff's family killed.

Lady Macduff to Lady Macbeth

Lady Macduff can be seen as a mirror image to Lady Macbeth – she is willing to chastise her husband for his unkind act of leaving, whereas Lady Macbeth doesn't ever meaningfully speak with her husband once his actions get out of hand. Lady Macbeth claims that she'd be willing to murder her own children if the need arose. This is a contrast to the domestic picture of Lady Macduff playfully teasing with her own child at home.