They catch his attention hailing him Thane of Glamis and King hereafter and he is obsessed. Banquo asks Macbeth "why do you start and seem to fear / Things that do sound so fair?" (I.iii51-2), indicating the difference between the two. Banquo exercises caution while Macbeth expresses interest in more information. Both men handle success differently. When King Duncan meets with the men after battle, they are not treated or rewarded in the same way -- even though both served the king equally well. The king offers his heart to Banquo saying, "That hast no less deserved, nor must be known / No less to have done so: let me enfold thee / And hold thee to my heart"(I.iv.33-35). Macbeth, on the other hand, Macbeth receives a handsome reward. Banquo is quite content with this offering and praise. He does not feel slighted not does he make any comment regarding Macbeth's lot. Macbeth,...

One man finds contentment with what he has while the other seeks to have more.
People respond to the temptation of power and success differently. Some people can entertain the idea without becoming too overwhelmed but others cannot. Shakespeare shows us two different options with Macbeth and Banquo, ultimately warning others about the dangers of allowing oneself to become enticed with the idea of power and all it has to offer. We can entertain thoughts of certain things but when we become obsessive about those thoughts and allow them to control us, we run the risk of becoming like Macbeth, who succumbs to madness.

Work Cited

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. New York: Washington Square Press New Folger Edition.