Macbeth

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MACBETH CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Characteristics (ethnics and traits)

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A tragic hero

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Changes radically: Macbeth begins the Play as a

warrior but as the play and his demise progresses we see that Macbeth is no

longer a warrior but is a crazy tyrant content with do everything in his power

to get what he wants.

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Heroic

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Brave

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Ambitious

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Kind/ Good [beginning]

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Hubris- excessive pride

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Liar

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Insane (crazy)

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Struggles with good and evil

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Depressed

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Does not trust anyone [end]

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Cruel and brutal

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Tyrant

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Ruthless

Throughout

the play

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Act 1- Macbeth is a good man, a warrior. He is

brave, strong and noble. When first meeting the witches Macbeth is doubtful,

but when the prophecies start coming true he becomes uneasy. Macbeth thinks

about killing Duncan. Macbeth is indecisive and decide not to but Lady Macbeth

persuades him into.

o

Act 2- Macbeth kills Duncan. Macbeth struggles

with what he has done, he believes he is going to hell and is falling apart.

He’s very guilty. When Macduff find Duncan murdered, Macbeth immediately kills

Duncan’s guards, to ‘avenge’ Duncan. Macbeth is name next to be King.

o

Act 3-

Macbeth becomes King. He doesn’t share things with Lady Macbeth anymore.

Macbeth fears betrayal leading him to kill Banquo. Killing Banquo make Macbeth

more insane, seeing things [Banquo’s ghost].

o

Act 4-

Macbeth goes to the witches again and get another 3 prophecies making

him believe that he’s invincible. He

states that he will act on what ever he feels is best for him, not rationally.

o

Act 5- Macbeth puts all his faith in the prophecies.

He’s depressed. He become desensitized from violence. When Lady Macbeth dies it

is unclear, how much Macbeth cares for her. The second prophecies come true, this , he

realized that the which deceived him. Macbeth and Malcom (Macduff) go to war.

Macduff kills Macbeth.

Quotes

Valour’s

Minion (A1,S1,L19); Bellona’s bridegroom (A1,S1,L54); Valiant cousin, worthy

gentlemen (A1,S2,L24); What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won (A1,S1,L67); I

could not say ‘Amen’ (A2,S2,L31); I am in blood stepped in so far that should I

wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er. (A3,S4,L137); Then live

Macduff, what need I fear of thee (A4,S1,L81); I had lived long enough. My way

of life in fall’n into the sere, the yellow leaf (A5,S3,L22); It is a tale told

by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing (A5,S5,L25); The devil

himself could not pronounce a title more hateful to mine ear (A5,S7,L8); Why

should I play the Roman fool and die On mine own sword (A5, S8,L1); This dead

butcher (A5,S9,L36); ‘O full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! (A3,S2,L36)