How many lines does Banquo have in Macbeth?

The size of the part, every scene it speaks in, its longest speeches, and how long it takes to learn.

The Offbook team

Oct 8, 2026

Banquo has about 113 lines in Macbeth: 772 words in 33 speeches, 4.7% of the play, and the 6th-largest part. The role speaks in 7 of the 28 scenes.

Banquo is a mid-size role that ends early, at his murder in the third act; the actor then often returns silent as the ghost at the banquet.

Lines: 113
Words: 772
Share of play: 4.7%
Speech time: 6 min

89% of the words are verse. 33 speeches means about 33 cues to learn.

Scene by scene

Scene	Words	Minutes
Act 1, Scene 3	305	2.2
Act 1, Scene 4	9	0.1
Act 1, Scene 6	52	0.4
Act 2, Scene 1	156	1.1
Act 2, Scene 3	71	0.5
Act 3, Scene 1	155	1.1
Act 3, Scene 3	24	0.2

The longest speeches

Speech	Scene	Words
“Good sir, why do you start; and seem to fear”	Act 1, Scene 3	92
“Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,”	Act 3, Scene 1	83
“How far is’t call’d to Forres? What are these”	Act 1, Scene 3	73
“Look to the lady:”	Act 2, Scene 3	55
“This guest of summer,”	Act 1, Scene 6	52
“Hold, take my sword. There’s husbandry in heaven;”	Act 2, Scene 1	52
“That trusted home”	Act 1, Scene 3	49
“What, sir, not yet at rest? The king’s a-bed:”	Act 2, Scene 1	43

How many lines a day to learn

New lines a day to be off book in time, learning five days a week. Review what you already know on the other days.

Time until off book	New lines a day
2 weeks	12
3 weeks	8
4 weeks	6
6 weeks	4

Questions actors ask