With hope instilled within Banquo for not only his own ambition, but for his children as well, the perfect brew for disaster has been concocted by the sisters.
Macbeth who at the outset was one of Banquo's most trusted friends, was also a brave soldier who fought proudly for the Kingdom. After insuring the safety of Scotland by defeating and killing the King he was names Thane of Cawdor. Unfortunately, after accepting the title of a former traitor Macbeth struggled to embrace his new role and longed for even more power. "New honors come upon him,/ Like our strange garments, cleave not their mold/ But with the aid of use"(1.4). Banquo sees his friend in not only robes that are much too large, but in a role of power too large for him as well. Macbeth, blinded by the witches and pushed by his wife, becomes obsessed with obtaining more. .
As the action of the play progresses the deterioration of Banquo and Macbeth's friendship also progresses, ultimately ending in tragedy. Macbeth is willing to dispose of Banquo and his son for the price of power. Banquo who has figuratively developed blinders can only see the prospect of the throne and not Macbeth's betrayal. While Banquo suspects that Macbeth is complacent in the murder of King Duncan, he does not stop and consider the possibility of such betrayal done on to him. Due to the possibility of his own children reigning over the kingdom he allows himself to be distracted as Macbeth plots his murder. .
Macbeth's transformation from hero to villain is slow at first, but then develops rapidly. "Too full o' th' milk of human kindness," (1.5) Lady Macbeth describes her husband in this way when he is first faces with the task of eliminating Duncan. In fact, Macbeth wishes the King would just waken after he plunges the dagger into his sleeping body. However, after being made King and tasting the power that comes with it his conscience subsides him.