Question

In this excerpt from act one scene two of Macbeth what can be inferred about Banquo's response to the witches prophecy?

BANQUO:
That, trusted home,
Might yet enkindle you into the crown,
Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But tis’ strange:
And often times to win us our harm,
The instruments of dark Ness tell us truths;
Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s
In deepest consequence. -
Cousins, a word, I pray you.

A. Banquo is wise enough to understand that the witches represent evil
B. Banquo believes the witches and is ready to do anything to make his children kings
C. Banquo suspects that Macbeth plans to kill Dunkin to seize the throne
D. Banquo supports Macbeth’s plan of murdering Duncan to get the throne

Answer 1

A

Step-by-step explanation:

This passage speaks mostly about Banquo's astute understanding of how the agents of evil work: they tell the truth about things that don't matter. Then they betray us in things that really do matter.

Which answer is closest to that interpretation? It certainly isn't B. There is no mention of Banquo's children. Nor of his children becoming kings.

C is possible. But there is no mention of Duncan at all. He says nothing about how Macbeth will go beyond being Thane of Cawdor. Just that there is something beyond the Thane of Cawdor.

D is not in support of murdering Duncan to get the throne. Banquo never was in favor of killing Duncan and he won't be when Macbeth does the grisly deed.

That leaves A. The remark I put at the beginning says just about what Banquo says in the passage.