Our fears in Banquo / Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature / Reigns that which would be fear’d: ’tis much he dares; / And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, / He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour / To act in safety.
Act III, Scene 1 · Macbeth
Context
Macbeth explains to himself why Banquo poses a unique threat: Banquo's noble nature, combined with his courage and intelligence, make him the one man Macbeth truly fears.
Analysis
Macbeth personifies his 'fears' as something that 'stick deep,' using the language of physical wounding to describe psychological threat. The verb 'stick'—sharp, penetrating, and permanent—makes Banquo's existence feel like a blade already lodged in Macbeth's body. By describing Banquo's virtues (daring, wisdom, valor) as the source of this wound, Macbeth inadvertently reveals that it is Banquo's integrity, not his hostility, that endangers him—goodness itself has become unbearable.
Essay Tip
Support a thesis that Macbeth's tyranny stems from his inability to tolerate virtue in others—this quote shows that Banquo's 'royalty of nature' (his inherent nobility) is precisely what makes him dangerous to a king whose power rests on murder.