Macbeth:
* Ambitious and Power-Hungry: Macbeth is primarily driven by his ambition for power, which leads him to readily embrace the witches' prophecies as an opportunity to achieve his goals.
Banquo:
* Skeptical and Cautious: Banquo maintains a more critical stance towards the witches' prophecies. Instead of wholeheartedly accepting them, he questions their validity and potential consequences.
* Moral Compass: Macbeth allows the witches' words to consume his thoughts, leading him down a path of guilt, paranoia, and violence to secure the crown.
* Moral Reflection: Banquo exhibits a stronger moral compass and warns Macbeth about the dangers of pursuing the prophecies. He is more cautious about potentially treacherous consequences and displays loyalty to King Duncan.
* Emotional Response: Macbeth is deeply affected by the prophecies, allowing them to stir his inner desires for power and control, which ultimately lead to his downfall.
* Self-Awareness: Banquo reflects on himself, his surroundings, and the potential ethical implications of the prophecies. He tries to understand their true meaning rather than blindly following them.
In summary, Macbeth's ambitious and impulsive nature makes him vulnerable to the witches' seductive words, while Banquo's skeptical and cautious approach allows him to retain a sense of reason and morality in the face of their prophecies.